Port Aux Basque, Nfld

USCG LORAN Station - Assorted Sources

Exchange of notes (June 26 and 30, 1953) between Canada and the United States of America regarding the transfer to Canada of the three Loran stations at Port-aux-Basques, Battle Harbour and Bonavista in Newfoundland

The Secretary of State for External Affairs to the Chargé d'Affaires ad interim of the United States of America

DEPARTMENT OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
OTTAWA,
June 26, 1953.

SIR,

I have the honour to refer to my Note No. D-166 of June 16, 1952, in which the Canadian Government "agreed in principle to accept responsibility for the operation of the Loran stations at Port-aux-Basques, Battle Harbour and Bonavista" which are operated at present by the United States Coast Guard.

Annexed to this Note are the conditions which the Canadian Government proposes should govern the transfer of these stations. If these conditions are acceptable to your Government, I should like to suggest that this Note and your reply shall constitute the transfer agreement, effective on the date of your reply.

Accept, Sir, the renewed assurances of my highest consideration.

[FROM:]

LD WILGRESS
(for) Secretary of State
for External Affairs.

Conditions relating to the transfer from the United States Government to the Canadian Government of Loran stations at Port-aux-Basques, Bonavista, and Battle Harbour, Newfoundland

1. The ownership, management, and control of these stations shall be transferred by the United States Coast Guard, acting for the United States Government, to the Department of Transport, acting for the Canadian Government, on September 1, 1953, or on such other date as may be agreed between the United States Coast Guard and the Department of Transport.

2. All buildings, fixed station equipment and non-consumable items at each station, including the recommended complement of spare parts for each equipment, will be transferred to the Department of Transport free of charge.

3. Consumable items on hand at each station at the time of transfer, in accordance with the following schedule, will be transferred to the Department of Transport on a reimbursable basis at current prices. The United States Coast Guard and the Department of Transport may settle arbitrary amounts to cover the price of the items at each station, as it may in practice be found difficult to calculate the actual current prices of the consumable items listed. The following is the schedule:

4. If the United States Government or the United States Coast Guard holds title to or any legal interest in any of the land at these stations, such titles or interests shall be legally transferred to the Department of Transport acting for the Canadian Government.

5. In accepting the transfer of these stations it is the intention of the Canadian Government through the Department of Transport to continue their operation and maintenance in the interests of both governments. In the event of the Canadian Government deciding at any time to discontinue the operation of any or all of the stations, the Canadian Government will first enter into consultation with the United States Government on the proposal. If, following such consultation, the United States Government does not concur in the discontinuance of the operation of the station, the matter shall be referred for study and report to the Permanent Joint Board on Defence. Any decision by the Canadian Government will be postponed until the receipt of the report from the Permanent Joint Board on Defence and will take into consideration the views of the Permanent Joint Board on Defence.

6. In the event of the Canadian Government discontinuing the operation of a station pursuant to the procedure set forth above, the United States Government may remove from the station, within a period of one year after notice is received from the Canadian Government, any buildings or parts of buildings or equipment which were transferred to the Canadian Government free of charge pursuant to paragraph 2 above and which remain in existence. After the expiration of this period of one year, all such buildings and equipment shall become the property of the Canadian Government.

EXCELLENCY:

With reference to Note No. 182 of the Department of External Affairs, dated June 26, 1953, I have the honour to inform you that my Government accepts the conditions annexed thereto for the transfer to Canada of the Loran stations at Port-aux-Basques, Battle Harbour and Bonavista at present operated by the United States Coast Guard.

My Government further agrees that your Note and annex shall, together with my present Note, constitute the transfer agreement between our Governments effective as of today's date.

Accept, Excellency, the renewed assurances of my highest consideration.

[FROM:]
DON C BLISS