DAILY DIARY
9 RADIO DETACHMENT - SPIDER ISLAND, BC.
Jan 1 1943 to Dec 31, 1943
1 Jan 43
No work done today on construction. Weather:- clear and becoming colder.
Nominal Station Roll:-
1 officer - RDF; 13 Airmen - Security Guard; 3 Airmen - RDF Operators; 1 Airman - WOG on TD from Bella Bella; 5 Airmen - RDF Mechs. on TD from WAC
Progress of Construction Work:-
Bldg. #1:- Complete except for flooring, chimney and plumbing, and some painting.
Bldg. #2:- No interior partitions yet installed.
Bldg. #3:- All panels and most partitions installed, no painting done.
Bldg. #4:- Some carpentry work still to do and most of interior painting.
Bldg. #5:- No work on this building for past 3 months.
Bldg. #6:- Complete except for flooring, chimneys and plumbing.
Bldg. #7:- Same as #6.
Bldg. #8:- Doors not yet hung, but all interior panels installed. No partitions or paint.
Bldg. #9:- Some internal carpentry still to do, and all painting.
Bldg. #10:- Not started.
Bldg. #11:- Concrete not yet poured.
Bldg. #12:- Door not yet installed nor any painting done. Complete otherwise.
Power House and Ops. Bldg:- Some blasting for foundations still required.
Gantry:- Drilling laid out but not commenced
WT Bldg. and Guard House:- Not started.
Road:- Still 200 yds. from base of hill to operations site. Hill to grade within 50 yds. of power house.
Sewage system:- Almost complete except for internal connections.
Fresh Water System:- Not started.
Pole line:- All poles holes located and about 30% dug. Only those on town-site erected, although several others cut.
2 Jan 43
Work on Bldgs. #7 and 8 and on sidewalks and road. Weather:- cloudy and cold, turning to snow toward evening.
3 Jan 43
Work on Bldgs. 7 and 8 and on road. Weather:- slightly warmer, some snow. Two members of construction crew returned from Christmas leave. Back on job tomorrow.
4 Jan 43
Work on bldgs. #7, 8 and 9, on sidewalks to Bldgs. #6 and 7, and on road. Weather:- warmer, with slight rainfall, freezing at night. Roads in bad condition due to ice.
5 Jan 43
Work on Bldgs. #8 and 9, on sidewalks to Bldgs. 7 and 8 and on road. Weather:- warmer, rain in afternoon, and thawing. Roads now clear.
6 Jan 43
Work on Bldgs. #8 and 9, on sidewalks to Bldgs. #7 and 8 and on road. Weather:- warm with high winds and rain.
9 Jan 43
Carpenters at work Bldg. #5 and on sidewalk between Bldgs. #7 and 8. Painters in Bldg. #7. Filling and grading in progress on road. Weather:- cloudy and warm, becoming cooler in evening. Slight rain.
10 Jan 43
Carpenters at work Bldg. #5 and on sidewalk between Bldgs. #7 and 8. Painters in Bldg. #7 and 8. Surfacing in pogress on hill road to operational site. Six further members of construction crew arrived, incuding two plumbers and an electrical. Work really starting to go ahead. Weather:- cloudy and cool in morning, turning to clear and warm by noon. Only slightly cooler again in evening.
11 Jan 43
Carpenters at work Bldg. #5 and on rear porch to bldg. #7. Painters at work Bldg. #9. Electricians at work Bldg. #7. Pumbers at work Bldg. #7. Surfacing in progress on operations hill, and some drilling being done on power house, Ops. Bldg. and gantry sites.
12 Jan 43
Boat from Bella Bella brought:- RDF Officer, Equipment LAC and Medical Orderly. Carpenters working on rear steps to Bldg. #7. Painters at work Bldg. #9. Surfacing continues on operations hill, and drilling on gantry site almost complete. Weather:- cloudy with continuous drizzle and high wind.
13 Jan 43
Carpenters at work on rear steps to Bldg. #7, in Bldg. #3 and on forms for power house. Electrician at work in bldg. #3. Painters at work in bldg. #9. Plumbers at work running pipe to Bldg. #7. Drilling in progress on power house, operations bldg. and gantry site. Some blasting and levelling being done on road. Weather:- fair, cloudy and mild. Some rain at night.
14 Jan 43
Carpenters at work on sidewalk to rear of Bldg. #9, and on forms for power house. Electrician at work Bldg. #3. Painters at work Bldg. #9. Drilling continuing on Ops. Bldg. site. Surfacing work continues on road. Weather:- intermittent showers turning to snow with high winds in evening.
15 Jan 43
Carpenters at work in Bldg. #9. Electrician at work in Bldg. #8. Painters at work in Bldg. #9. Ditching for fresh water system commenced. Forms for power house being laid by carpenters. Drilling continuing on last 100' of road and also at ops. site. Weather:- fair, cloudy with snow and wind.
16 Jan 43
Carpenters in Bldgs. 8 and 9. Electricians in Bldg. 8. Painters in Bldg. 9. Ditching for fresh water system continuing. Carpenter continuing on forms at power house. Clearing and grading on last 100' of road. Scow from Namu arrived with:
(a) 3 power transformers for power line.
(b) Asst. plumbing fixtures
(c) Kitchen range and sinks
(d) Emergency gas water pump.
(e) Staves for water tower
(f) Strips for interior trimming.
Weather:- extremely cold and clear with moderate north winds.
17 Jan 43
Carpenters in 7, 8 and 9. Electricians in 8. Painters in 9. Ditching continues. No work at ops. site. Scow unloaded. Plumbers in 7. Weather:- clear and cold, moderating towards evening.
18 Jan 43
Carpenters in 8 and 9. Electricians in 8. Painters in 9. Plumbers in 7. Remainder of crew shovelling snow and cutting wood. No work at site. Weather:- dull with heavy snowfall. Cold, but moderating towards evening.
19 Jan 43
Carpenters in 9. Painters in 9. Electrician working on pole line by Admin. Bldg. (9), and hospital bldgs. Pumbers in 7. Rest of crew shovelling snow and cutting wood. Weather:- clear and cold, snow last night, about 15" on ground now, 12" at site. Road to site will be impassable for some time.
20 Jan 43
Carpenters in 4 (trim strips) and 8. Plumber in 7. Electricians working on pole line. About 10 men starting to clear road to site (1/4 mile). Weather:- cold and clear with north wind.
21 Jan 43
Carpenters putting trim strips in #4. Plumbers installing hot water piping in #7. Painters gave 3/4 of #4 first coat of paint. Electricians raising poles for power line. Rest of crew cutting wood and clearing snow off road to site (about 1/2 mile done.). Weather:- improved a little. Still quite cold but clear. Some photographs taken for Cal.
22 Jan 43
Carpenters still working in #4. Plumbers in #7. Painters in #4. Electricians on power line. Rest on wood and clearing of road. Weather:- northeast wind and still cold and clear.
23 Jan 43
Carpenter finished with trim strips in #4 and did some in #1. Plumbers in #7. Painters in #4. Electricians working on power line (raising poles). Rest working on fuel, clearing road and digging post holes. Weather:- cold and clear, snow has not melted any yet.
24 Jan 43
Electrician working in #5, 8 and 9. Men working on snow on road (about 100 yds, from camp 2), and digging post holes and cutting wood. Boat back from Namu. Weather:- clear and a little warmer.
25 Jan 43
Electrician working in #9. Carpenters in #5. Painters in #4. Plumbers in #7. Road cleared to site, men working on post holes and digging trench for fresh water system. Weather:- a little more snow in morning, cloudy but milder.
26 Jan 43
Electrician working in #9. Carpenters have lined #5. Painters in #4 (nearly finished). Plumbers still in #7 (mess). Men clearing snow from site and working on ditching for fresh water supply. Stranraer over about 1500 hours taking pictures. Weather:- mild and dull. (CO away).
27 Jan 43 Electrician working in #8. Carpenters installing booths in #5 and chimneys. Painters finished #4 and some work done in hall of #9. Plumbers still working in #7 (pretty slow). Ditching for fresh water coming along fine. Drilling at site for power line poles and blasting at Ops.Bldg. Weather:- clear and cool. Snow not melting very much. 28 Jan 43 Carpenters installed Yukon chimneys in all buildings except #4, 7, 8. Electricians in #7, 8. Painters working on inside and outside of #9. Plumbers slowly finishing #7. Ditching for fresh water system progressing. Holes for power line being dug. Blasting and clearing for Ops. Bldg. continues. Weather:- clear and moderately cold. Keeps men busy cutting wood. 29 Jan 43 Carpenters in #5, partitions complete. Electrician on poles. Painters working on #9. Outside two thirds done and part of hall and two AB rooms to do inside. Plumbers practically finished in 7. Ditching continued. About 60 holes for line dug and drilling complete at site. Ops. Bldg. site ready for forms. Mr. Martin, Const. Co. official visiting. Weather:- clear and cool, about 40 above. 30 Jan 43 Carpenters in #5 and working on forms at Ops. Bldg. Electrician working on poles. Painters: hall of #9 and blackout frames. Plumbers finished in #7. Ditching continues - some drilling needed and started. Last 50 yds. road being planked at site. Weather:- clear, cool, 40 above and calm. 31 Jan 43 Carpenters and electrician working on screen for water supply. Painters not working. Plumbers working in #5. Forms for Ops. Bldg. started and last part of plank road completed. Work continuing on post holes and ditching for fresh water (some drilling done at site of pump house). Truck hauling gravel for cement of power and Ops. Bldg. Weather:- cloudy and rain (light).
1 Feb 43
Carpenters building fresh water intake trap. First section finished and lowered. Electrician working with carpenters. Painters working on black-out frames. Plumbers working in #5. Work progressing on forms at Ops. Bldgs. and road completed. Trucks hauling gravel and cement. Men cutting poles and digging post holes. Site for pump house ready. Weather:- cloudy with rain.
2 Feb 43
Carpenters finished fresh water intake trap. Gravel still to be put in. Painters - outside of Admin. Bldg. finished. Plumbers continued work on #5. Forms for Ops. Bldg. completed and work continues on post holes and posts. Weather:- clear and mild with some wind.
3 Feb 43
Forms laid for pumphouse. Painters working on black-out frames, etc. Plumbers continuing work in #5. Forms and re-enforcements complete for Ops. Bldg. About 70 out of 100 post holes either dug or commenced. Gravel nearly all hauled for Ops. Bldg. and power house. Weather:- mixture of rain and sleet, quite windy.
4 Feb 43
Pump house ready for cement. Painters working on blackout frame. Plumbers working in #5. Forms in Ops. and power bldg. ready for cement. Laying tracks for pouring. Cutting poles and digging holes. Still hauling gravel to site. Mixer arrived from Namu. Weather:- cloudy with scattered showers.
5 Feb 43
Carpenters all at work at far side. Painters working on black-out frames. New plumber, 2 in #5, other starts tomorrow. Concrete poured for Ops. Bldg. and powerhouse. Continue work on poles and post holes. Further ditching for fresh water supply. Weather:- cloudy with rain and wind.
6 Feb 43
Carpenters at work on forms for gantry. Electrician working on lines in camp. Plumbers in #5 on re-installing temporary water supply which has been frozen up. Concrete poured for Ops. Bldg. and power house. Ditching continues for fresh water system. Weather:- clear and mild. Painters still working on black-out frames and benches.
7 Feb 43
Plumbers working in #5. Remainder taking Sunday off. Weather:- another foot of snow. Clearing up in afternoon.
8 Feb 43
Carpenters working out at site on forms for gantry, etc. Painters - blackouts, hall #9, outside of #8 and one side of #5 outside. Electricians working on camp installations. Plumbers in #5, 8. Further ditching for fresh water. Hauling gravel and cement for gantry. One truck broke down. Weather:- clear and calm, frosty in AM.
9 Feb 43
Carpenters working on gantry forms and on blackout blinds. Painters: blackout blinds and finished, hall #9. Electrician working on camp installations. Plumbers working in #5 and 9. #5 is finished except for four stops in water pipe. Ditching continues for fresh water. RCAF boat over from BA P/O Stillwell, F/O Comb, and P/O Rogers. Canteen goods, sheets. Weather:- clear and mild in am changing to cold and stormy in pm.
10 Feb 43
Carpenters working on blackout frames #7, 9, 6, 4, 1. Electrician working as plumber. Plumbers installed kitchen stove, working in #6, 9. Pointers, blackout frames, desks and tables. Gantry forms completed, ready for pouring. Outer forms removed from Ops. Bldg. and power house. Ditching for fresh water and laying pipe. Cutting and trimming poles. Work confined to around camp by weather and slippery road. Weather:- very stormy, rain and wind.
12 Feb 43
Carpenter working out at the site. Plumbers continue work in #6, 9. Painters working on window frames in #3 and blackout blinds. Work continues at site. Gravel hauled. Weather:- clear and mild.
13 Feb 43
Painters working on garage, WT, #3, 8. Plumbers working in #4, 6, 8, 9. Saddles being put on fresh water pipe. Electrician and helper adjusting Yukon chimneys. Ditching for fresh water nearly complete. (50 yds. 6" pipe.) Poles practically all cut and trimmed. Two men repairing road. Carpenters all working at site. Power house raised in rough board except for roof. Floor still to be filled and poured. Ops Bldg. ready for cement. Side - 2X4s up. Weather:- clear and mild.
14 Feb 43
Painters not working. Plumbers not working. Mr. Harland back on station. Piping (6") all laid for fresh water except for 10 yds. Work progressing on 2" pipe and saddles. Electricians continuing with chimneys. Carpenters working on power house, roof shingled. Power house being cleared to lay foundations for Diesels. Hauling sand and gravel for Ops. Bldg. Weather:- clear and mild.
15 Feb 43
Painters working in #9 and garage. Plumbers working in #4, 9 and installing stoves in #1, 6, 7, 8, 9. 2" piping being laid for fresh water. Carpenters working on Ops Bldg. and power house form for Diesel base. (Ops. 3 sides completed in rough). Truck hauling sand and gravel for site. Work on post holes continues. Weather:- warm and calm, a few clouds.
16 Feb 43
Painters working in #5,8, 9 and outside of garage is finished. Plumbers in #4 and on the septic tank. Continue work on 2' fresh water pipe. Six-inch pipe laid up to water tank site and foundation laid for tank. Carpenters working at site. Shiplap and joists on Ops. Bldg. and Diesel foundation forms completed. Hauling of sand continues. Two men working on post holes and one clearing route to gantry. Weather:- cloudy but mild and a little wind.
17 Feb 43
Painters working in #5 and 1. Plumbers in #4 and on septic tank. Continue work on 2" fresh water pipe, 6" all laid. Electrician and helper working at Power house and Ops. bldg. Carpenters shingling Ops. roof, etc. Poured cement for Diesel foundations and levelling sand in Ops. Bldg. Truck hauling gravel and work continues on post holes. Weather:- cloudy and windy, rain during night.
18 Feb 43
Painters working in #1. Plumbers in #4 (short some joists). Continue work on 2" fresh water pipe. Electricians working at site. Ops roof shingled. Heater house floor poured. Truck hauling gravel and work continues on post holes. Weather:- cloudy and rain in am, clearing in afternoon. Boat from BA Sec. Gd. Officer, MO, Veteran's Guard.
19 Feb 43
Painters working in #1. Plumbers in #4. Continue work on 2" pipe and filling in 6" pipe. Water tower erected. Electricians working at site. Carpenters working at site and on water tower. Door and window frames in place. Second truck back to work. Hauling cement and power poles. Work on holes continues. Ops. floor ready for pouring, conduit being installed. Building ramp for gantry. Weather:- cloudy with rain.
20 - 21 Feb 43
Painters finished in #1, working on #5 and roof of power house. Plumbers working in #4 and on water connections and septic tank. Carpenters working in #3, trim and on water tank. Electricians working at site. Most of wiring done. Work continues on Ops.Bldg. and power house, ready for floor in both. (Power house filled and forms removed from Diesel block). Ramp made for erection of gantry. Work continues on post holes and gravel hauling. Weather:- clear and cool. P/O Harland and P/O Metcalfe went to B.A. to change inventory. P/O Metcalfe back on 21st.
22 Feb 43
Carpenters working on interior trim in #3 and on closing in foundations of #6, 7. Electrician working on poles, holes nearly all dug. Painters working in #3 and 6. Plumbers finished in #4, now in #1 and 8. Work continues on post holes and power line. Truck on poles. Floor of Ops. Bldg. poured. Filling foundation for pump house. Weather:- clear and cool.
23 Feb 43
Carpenters working in #3, 6, 8, 9. (#3 interior trim completed). One carpenter working at site. Electricians working on power line in camp and work continues on post holes and posts. Painters working in #3, one coat nearly completed. Plumbers working in #1 and 8. Filling being done on pump house foundation. Floors being laid in #9. Weather:- clear and cool, warming up during day.
24 Feb 43
Carpenters working in #4, 6 and Ops.Bldg. Interior trim of #3 complete. Grease traps for #7 and 8. Electricians working on power line. All but a few poles ready to be raised. Painters working in 31 and 8 and on septic tank. Filling complete for pump house. Floors being laid in #9. Weather:- clear and cool. Warm during day.
25 Feb 43
Carpenters working on Ops. Bldg., in #8 and on blinds in #4. Electricians working on final connections on station. Painters working in #3, most of second coat done. Plumbers working in #1 and 8, held up for parts. Floors being laid in #9. Floor of power house poured today. Work on poles continues. Weather:- foggy and cool.
26 Feb 43
Carpenters working on Ops. Bldg., #8 and on floor for pump house. Electricians working on power lines at camp. Painter finished second coat interior #3. Plumbers working in #1 and 8, still held up for parts. Floors being laid in #7. Weather:- foggy and cool. Work being done on foundations for Diesel and storage tank.
27 Feb 43
Carpenter laying studs for floor in Ops. Bldg. and in #8, and 1. Electricians raising pole line, 10 poles. Painters working on trim in #3 and interior of 8. Plumbers working in #3 and 8. Working on floors of #7. Top of septic tank poured and also floor of pump house. Forms for storage tank poured. Weather:- foggy and cool.
28 Feb 43
Carpenters laying floor in Ops. Bldg. and working in #1, 3, 8. Electricians raising poles with truck. Painters working in #3 and 8. Plumbers working in #1, 3, 8. Laying final floor in kitchen. Poured shower base in #9 and working on heater bases. Weather:- cool and foggy.
1 Mar 43
Carpenters laid floor in Ops. Bldg. and working in #1, 3, 8. Electricians raising poles, about 25 up. Painter working on Ops. Bldg. and in 8. Plumbers in #1, 3. Temporary arrangement on water pump, tank filled. Kitchen floor laid, working in #9. Plane from BA, Pay and MO and Balmer. Silliker taken into BA. Weather:- clear and cool.
2 Mar 43
Carpenters putting exterior walls on Ops. Bldgs. and 1/4 round around floors in #7, 9 and building shelves in same. Electricians raised 17 poles. Painters in #8 and on Ops. Bldg. Plumbers in #1, 3. Small truck back in use. Weather:- clear and cool.
3 Mar 43
Carpenters working on Ops. Bldg. and on shower bases in #7 and 9. Electricians working at site. Painters in #8 and on exterior of Ops.Bldg. Plumbers in #1 and 3. Moved large secret equipment to site. Working on road. Guards moved out to tent at Camp 2. Weather:- clear and cool.
4 Mar 43
Carpenters working on Ops. Bldg. and strips in #8. Painters working in #8 and at site. Plumbers finished #1, working in #3. Electricians raising poles. Men working on road and dock. Moved equipment into kitchen and Admin. Bldg. Little truck breaks axle. Weather:- clear and cool.
5 Mar 43
Carpenters working on Ops. Bldg. and #8. Painters working in #6 and 8. Plumbers working in #3. No. 5 completed and water turned on. Now in operation. Electricians working at site. All poles raised. Storage tank now in place. Piping still to be laid. Weather:- clear and cool.
6 Mar 43
Carpenters putting end and ceiling in Ops. Bldgs. and forms for shower baths. Electricians working at site. painters working in #5, 6, 8, on tanks and at site. Plumbers working in #3, completed. Men working on pipeline for Diesel fuel. Trucking back fill for post holes. Weather;- cool and cloudy.
7 Mar 43
Carpenters continue work in Ops. Bldg. and on shower forms. Electricians working at site and on guy wires. Painters working on tanks in #8 and at site. Plumbers working in #7, re-plumbing. Men working on road. Boat over from BA, canteen supplies. Truck back filling post holes. Weather:- clear, cool and calm.
8 Mar 43
Carpenters working on Ops. Bldg. and on windows and doors, in camp bldgs. Some of the gantry steel taken to site. Electricians working at site, and on guy wires. Painters in #8 and 5 and at site. Plumbers in #7. Men working on road and cleaning up around camp. Truck back-filling post holes. Boat Jaeger, over to BA. P/O Metcalfe with it. Discipline: LAC Tebby AWOL since Thursday. Admonition and automatic forfeiture of 4 day's pay. Weather:- clear, cool and calm.
9 Mar 43
Carpenters working on walls of Ops. Bldg. and on odd jobs around camp. Electricians continue work, on site and poles and back-filling continues. Painters working in #8, second coat, and #5. Plumbers in #7. Work continues on road. Ramp extended and leg of gantry put up. Weather:- clear and calm, cool.
10 Mar 43
Carpenters putting partitions in Ops. Bldg. and working on windows, etc. at camp. Electricians working on guy wires. Painters finished second coat in #8. Plumbers finished in #7 and started again on #8. Back-fill continues as well as repair of road. Gantry steel work continues. Weather:- cloudy with showers and cool. Boat back from BA with P/O Metcalfe.
11 Mar 43
Carpenters working in Ops. Bldg., power house and on emergency rations bldg. Electricians working on guy wires. Painters working at site. Plumbers working at site, and #9. All poles back-filled, repair on road continues and also cleaning up around camp. Gantry cement cracked. Has to be repaired. Weather:- cloudy with showers, cool and windy. Floors being lain in #6.
12 Mar 43
Carpenters working on Ops. Bldg., power house and Emergency rations bldg. Electricians begin stringing wires. Painters working at site. Plumbers complete #9, do some work in #8. Repair of road continues. Wire being raised for power line. Boat over from Namu. Interior trim strips nearly all installed in #5. Weather:- cloudy, breezy, cool, snow and rain.
13 Mar 43
Carpenters working at site and emergency rations bldg. Electricians raising wires and doing odd jobs. Painters working at site and cleaning walls on #9. Plumbers working in #8. Repair on road continues. Working on interior trim of #2. Weather:- cloudy, breezy and cool.
14 Mar 43
Only work done is on refrigerator in mess by F/Sgt. MacMillan, who arrived on MV Snipe this afternoon. Rations also on boat, but no cook. Painted kitchen range. Weather:- clear and cold.
15 Mar 43
Only work at site is drilling of re-enforcement holes. Raising power line about halfway. Work started on structure of pump house. Painters cleaning up in #9 and painting in #2. Plumbers working in #8. Emergency Rations house progressing. Refrigerator assembled and in place. Jabalo took MacMillan and 3 posted guards to BA. Weather:- clear and cool.
16 Mar 43
Drilling only work being done at site. Raising of power line continues and clearing for this line being done. Continue work on power house. Line to storage tank being laid. Painters working in #9, cleaning up. Plumbers working in #7. Visited by F/L Hansen, F/L Whitting, F/L Michner by plane. Also a Stranraer down. BC Star MV arrived with emergency rations. Weather:- clear and cool.
17 Mar 43
Re-enforcement holes all drilled in gantry. Power line wires practically all raised. Pump house being shingled. Line to storage tank laid. Ready for scow. Painters in #2. Emergency Rations out in hut. Weather:- clear and cool. Jabalo returned from BA with cook. First meal, supper in own mess.
18 Mar 43
Work continues on repair of gantry. Power line completed, still to be stretched and connected. Continue work on pump house. Painters working in #2. Started work on wood cutting, (Const. Co. 75 cords). Plumbers finished up #6. Meals good so far. Weather:- clear and cool.
19 Mar 43
Building forms for repair of gantry. Work continues on Ops. house and Power house. Electricians working on power connections. Painters working at site. Carpenters working in #2. Plumbers out at site. BC Star back from BA with P/O Munchaster and installation for Beacon. Weather:- cloudy and cool.
20 Mar 43
Carpenters working on PH and #2. Electricians on power line and installation of Diesels. Painters working on ceiling of Ops. Bldg. Plumbers on Ops. Bldg. Repair work continues on road. Emergency Rations hut nearly completed. Filling in strain for water supply. Wood cutters at work. BC Star away to Namu and BA. Weather:- stormy and cool, very windy.
21 Mar 43
Carpenters working in PH and #2. Electricians in PH and on line. Painters working on Ops. house. Plumbers working on Ops. Bldg. Continue repair work on road and cutting wood. BC Star back. Weather:- windy and cloudy with rain.
22 Mar 43
Little work being done at site. Quite a bit of steel raised. Need cutting torch. Work continues in power house. Plumbers in Ops. Bldg. Painters in town site. Continue repair of road. Weather:- very stormy and windy.
23 Mar 43
Work continues on power house and in #2. Some work done on roof of water tower. Men working on gun pits. Painters working in hospital. Not much work being done today due to the weather. BC Star off to Namu and Bella Bella. P/O Balmer with boat. Weather:- very stormy and wet.
24 Mar 43
Work progressing slowly. Most work being done in power house and #2, and some work on road and gantry. Electricians continuing work on lines. Weather:- continuing stormy and rainy. Work held up.
25 Mar 43
Carpenters, electricians and men working at site in power house, Ops. house and gantry. Painters working in #2 and at site. Plumbers working in #2. Unable to work at site due to lack of equipment. Repairs continuing on road. Boat returned from BA about 1700 hrs. P/O Wilson and two men with cutting torch. Scow arrived for Marwell Const. Co. equipment. Weather:- nice day for a change, clear and calm, but cool. Visited by W/C Secord and W/C Dumbrell. P/O Wilson over in afternoon.
26 Mar 43
Work continues at site. Diesels (two) nearly connected up, and also panels. Painters working in PH. Plumbers working in #2. Repair of road continues. P/O Wilson took particulars concerning Cpl. O'Donohue. Holes all cut in gantry. Cutting torch returned to BA also P/O Wilson on BC Star, at 1500 hours. Weather:- rain and some wind .
27 Mar 43
Installation of Diesels continues and repair of gantry. This held up by storm. Painters in power house. Plumbers working in #2. Carpenters etc. working on installation at camp. Repair of road continues. Weather:- very stormy, holding up work.
28 Mar 43
Carpenters working on Emergency Rations bldg., etc. Electricians connected up two Diesel; something not quite right. Painters in Ops. Bldg. Plumbers working in #2. Were to start Diesels. Weather:- clear, windy and cool.
29 Mar 43
Work continues at operations site. Diesels (2) installed and operating. Third one taken out. Painters working at site. Plumbers in #2. BC Star back from BA, returned there for orders from WAC Brought small boat without motor. OS No. 5556. Also buoy for mooring planes. Weather:- clear and mild, no wind. Steering broke in truck. Sent to Bella Bella. McLeod and O'Byrne sent to BA hospital.
30 Mar 43
Work continues at site. Painters working in hospital and #2. Plumbers in #2. Henderson hurt foot (stepped on a nail) in evening. Meals a little scarce. Weather:- stormy, heavy rain but calm. CO, BA arrived via Stranraer 1730 hr., made inspection and departed 1800 hrs.
31 Mar 43
Work progressing slowly at site, some steel raised. Painters in #2 and odd jobs. Plumbers installing heating system at site. Work progressing on pump house and emergency rations bldg., also sheathing up buildings and laying floor in #3. Weather:- stormy, rain and wind, too wet to work on gantry in afternoon.
1 Apr 43
Work continues at site. Steel nearly completed also plumbing and heating system. Carpenters and electricians and painters in #2. Laying floor in #3. Sheathing up in #6, 9. Plumbing in #2. MV Snipe over from Bella Bella laying buoy and also Padre. Pretty well all afternoon. Weather:- Stormy wind and rain and hail.
2 Apr 43
Steel completed on gantry. Work continues on Ops. Bldg. Carpenters in #2. Floor laid in #3, working on floor in #1, and on pump house. Electricians working on water light signal. Walter "M" arrived with rations for 20 men, 34 being fed; 33 or 34 fed on 26 men's rations last week. Weather:- stormy, more wind and rain. Truck fixed but broke again, temporarily fixed.
3 Apr 43
Lower screens in place on gantry. Heating system coming along. Carpenters and electricians and painters working on Ops. bldg. and #2 and water light system and on pump house. Working on permanent pumping system intake. Sheathing up in #4. Cutting wood. Weather:- unsettled, wind and rain.
4 Apr 43
Screens in place on gantry. Work started on dipoles, and on trough and heating system. Work in camp on electric installations in pump house. Carpenter in #2 and sheathing up #3 and 4. Painter working on sheathing #6 and on roof of pump house. Const. Co. move out most of men. Only 14 left. Walter M to Namu. Weather:- fair and mild. Visited by P/O Lane and F/L Robinson from BA. Received tools as listed 36-2. Shipped on BC Star.
5 Apr 43 Dipoles installed and most of conduits laid in trough. Carpenters in #2 and sheathing up in #1 and 2. Beacon crew have pole up and dipole on top and wired down to building. Refrigerator at ER hut repaired. WM to Namu. Lea and Bower back from leave. Weather:- showers, cool and breezy. 6 Apr 43 Worked inside Ops. Bldg. laying floor paper. Heating system completed. Carpenters continued work in #2 and also painter and sheathing. No work done on beacon. Plumbing completed. Plane over from BA with Harry T Hopewell; Hoseph P Mooney (Box 440, Anchorage, Alaska, USA), WF Hilchie, CW Thoman (Dept. of Transport) RCAF G 19-45M. Want Walter M for installations Goose Island, etc. W/O Metcalfe over to BA by plane in am. Weather:- very stormy, wind and rain. No. 2 Alert. 7 Apr 43 Work continues on flooring and conduits in Ops. Bldg. Two rooms have battleship linoleum down. Work commences on house for gantry (being done in MT section by Selinger and Ouimet). Work continues in #2 and on lid for water tower. Plane over from BA 0835 hours, Stillwell, Harris, MO P/O Metcalfe returns. Outboard motor. Walter M out to Goose and back. Civilians took plane back to BA also P/O Mancaster, 1500 hours, also officers. Weather:- rainy, breezy, cool. 8 Apr 43 About 3/4 of floor laid in Ops. Bldg. and work continues on hut for gantry. Work continues in #2 and water tower completely boarded in. Receiver unpacked and work started on modifications. Walter M left early in am for BA. Cpl and Mousseau, teeth. Weather:- cloudy but mild, no rain. 9 Apr 43 All linoleum laid in Ops. Bldg., benches being built. Modifications being done on receiver. Hut floor in gantry. Cleaning up being done around camp. Sheathing completed, electricians finished. Water tower painted. Visited by F/L Hansen, WAC, F/L Roberts, AFHQ, DDRDF, 1500 hrs. Walter M returned with rations, short 20 lbs. fresh vegetables. New men: French, Clarkin, Livingstone, McMurchy. Weather: clear and warm. Truck broke down. 10 Apr 43 Benches completed in Ops. Bldg. Continue work on modifications. Sides and roof being put on gantry hut. Painting being completed, fire reel house being built. Walter M left for BA, Cpl Freeman going to Gordon Head for ground warfare course. Weather:- clear and mild. 11 Apr 43 Work continues on installations and modifications and gantry hut. Most of painting completed. Work on fire hut continues, Diesel tanker in. Walter M returned with rations. New men: Cpl. Desroches, LAC McKinno, LAC Kassie, LAC Holloway, LAC Johnston, LAC McCue. First three for beacon installation. Exchanged Bruce - "Sherren" WOG from BA. P/O Metcalfe went over to BA in evening. Weather: clear and mild. 12 Apr 43 Construction Co. finished all work to be done at site, #10 built, #2 finished. Cleaning up continues. Work on pump house. Walter M leaves for Aliford Bay. P/O Metcalfe back from BA. Weather:- clear and mild. Mackey, Sec. Gd. AWOL. 13 Apr 43 Final touches being made to buildings and cleaning up. Work on hut of gantry continues. A lot of cleaning up still to be done. Buildings fairly well completed. Checking Receiver: 7000 volt winding of transformer burnt out. Boat arrives to pick up Const. men. Beacon installations completed. Weather:- fine. 14 Apr 43 Beacon causing interferences, (B installed). Constructions Co. left 0500 hrs. Left truck. About 30 cords of wood cut, likely less. Exhaust put in pump house. Work at far end continues per schedule. 1000-volt mod. supply transformer arced. Weather:- fine all day. Total strength (ration) 43. 1000-volt transmitter (mod.) power supply arced. 15 Apr 43 Continue painting gantry, working on receiver, and Tx. Working on cat-walk. Ouiment doing carpentry. Started work on AT3-cleared space for aerial. Using trees at north end of hospital and Admin. Snipe over from BA 1930 hrs. - left 2030 hrs. Rations: short cheese, 11 lbs. Weather:- rained off and on all day, heavier in afternoon. 16 Apr 43 Most of men working at site on gantry and on receiver and Tx. AT3 aerial in place. Using BA freq. and 2096. F/O Harris over from BA 0835 hrs. Quetter to take RDF Inventory. Returned 1500 hrs. WEM cpl over with Harris. Overhauled ATI. WEM cpl over. Weather:- cloudy all day, showery all morning and afternoon. Heavy rain 1930 hrs. One box equipment shipped from No. 2 MU. 17 Apr 43 Work continues at far side on Rx and on shelves in gantry hut. Cleaning up and sawing wood here. Orders from WAC to change Beacon Code to SD. Weather:- cloudy with intermittent shower, cool and quite windy. 18 Apr 43 Little work done at site. Held up for bolts for gantry. Taking inventory of RDF equipment, also master of Sec. documents. Weather: very stormy all day, heavy rain and cloudy, considerable rain. 19 Apr 43 Men working on far sde on cat-walk. Transformer arced 10 RC/226. Wired for replacement. Boat over from Bella Bella via Namu with mail. (Jaeger). P/O Wilson, P/O Lane over, fingerprinted and photographed Selinger and Currie. LAC Jackson, carpenter arrived on boat. Weather: clear in morning, clouding up around noon and windy with a few drops of rain. Decrease: P/O Muncaster and 6 men. Henderson and Laurie over for teeth. 20 Apr 43 #1 car equipment shipped from No. 2 MU. Men working at far side. On cat-walk and feeders. Feeder being assembled in Ops. bldg. so they can be put up as soon as cat-walks are ready. Weather: very stormy, day started out fair, turning to very high winds, rain, hail and sleet. This weather is hampering work. Beacon blew a fuse, something wrong. 21 Apr 43 Work continues at far side on cat-walk and feeders, but extremely stormy weather is hold up installation of feeders. Rectifier in Beacon found faulty (C4 Fuses, 83 V) replaced. Cpl. Norby injured leg. Fell on saw about 1500 hrs. Four prongs entered leg halfway between knew and thigh, left. Weather: extremely stormy all day, high wind, rain and sleet. Thunder, lightning in late PM. 22 Apr 43 Some work done on cat-walk. Feeders being assembled in Ops. Bldg. Modifications done to TR box, 1 1/4" hole cut in. Railing put around by heating house. Mousseau got dirt in left eye. Boat du in with rations. Did not arrive. Weather:- quite stormy, wind, intermittent rain and sleet. Cleared up quite bit around 1800 hrs. Thunder and lightning in early AM. 23 Apr 43 Weather quite a bit better - a few showers. Upper cat-walk completed and all feeders in. Shingling gantry hut. Feeders still to be stretched. Boat over from BA (via Namu). Two cases equipment from #2 MU did not arrive. Rations OK. Brought one electrician, Cpl Beaugeault R162850 and two wireless men (AT3), LAC Hunt, KR R140127, LAC Goodwill IW R146019. Johnston and Holloway back to work with Michael. Additional rations 3 - for 1 meal. 24 Apr 43 Weather:- fair, cool, an odd shower. Both cat-walks in and most of shingling. Most of top aerial strained in place and cheked. Three men over from BA working in AT3. Power line and working on AT3. Remote control plugs in wall. Additional rations: 3 for 3 meals. 25 Apr 43 Skeena Maid V over from BA 0930 hrs, returned in evening. Weather:- clear and warm. Work continues at far side; cat-walks in and hut finished. Work continues on equipment. Also guard rail around by heating plant. P/O Harris over by air from BA to check on installation of AT3. Returned in afternoon, also Cpl. Beaugeault, electrician. Two WHEMS working on AT3, etc. Additional men for rations: 2 for 3 meals, 1 for 2 meals, 1 for 1 meal. 26 Apr 43 Weather: fair and warm. Men continue work on feeders (in place and nearly all stretched). Thyratron unit being checked. Work continues on AT3. Second aerial being put up. Extra rations: 2 for 3 meals. 27 Apr 43 Weather: clear and warm. Work continues at far side. Not much can be done until transformers replaced. Cupboard being built in end room of Ops. Bldg. Work completed on AT3 except for knife switch. Extra for rations: 2 for 3 meals. 28 Apr 43 Weather: clear and warm. Work continues on aerials and cupboards. Beacon on from 0830 to 2000 hrs as usual. Road repaired in a few places. Signal that transformers shipped Apr. 27; should be over on next boat. Extra for rations: 2 for 3 meals. 29 Apr 43 Weather: clear and warm. Work continues on aerial feeder, painting of steel and cupboards. Diesel men filled in conduits. P/O Muncaster and Sgt. Metcalfe over from BA 0715 hrs. put filter in beacon and returned to BA 1230 hrs., also Hunt and Goodwill. Educational officer over from BA 1430 hours, also Don McGee, YMCA. Radio over from YMCA. These two returned BA 1730 hrs. Also exchange of WOGS (Sherven for Sanderson). Skeen Maid in at 2130 hrs. (Two trans. and tracing paper). 30 Apr 43 Weather: clear and warm. Work continues at far side. Transformers in place and working. Beacon on 24-hour duty as at 0830 hours. No further work. (Conclusion: April 29, 1943 - Rations and canteen supplies. Kassie in from BA. Short 30 lbs beef and 9 lbs ham.)
1 May 43
Weather: cloudy with scatted showers and slight winds. Modification done for 12 YPTS (124P7). Work continues on cupboard. Skeena Maid over to BA at 0900 hrs. Beacon working OK.
2 May 43
Weather: mostly clear with some clouds and calm. Most of work done at operations site. Standing waves taken out of aerials to some extent by neon bulb. Rest of equipment checked and being set up. Skeena Maid returned from BA. Sgt Ward back from leave. Cpl Norby out of hospital. (Gilson Compressor).
3 May 43
Weather: warm and calm with some clouds. Work continues on operation site. Standing wave removed as much as possible. Things seem to be working OK. Sent Skeena Maid over to Namu to pick up RDF equipment from #2 MU at 0830 hrs. Back at 1430 hrs.
4 May 43
Weather: cloudy with a few showers and some wind. Work continues at far side on checking up and setting up equipment. Skeena Maid off to Bella Bella 1245 hrs. Blower, Boucher and Ouimet went to Pat Bay. Fyfe went on annual leave 0800 hrs, 5th to 31st.
5 May 43
Weather: cloudy with rain in am and clearing in evening and night. Equipment working; log books, etc being started. Experiencing very little trouble. Notified at 2230 hrs by McCue of a light 15 miles at sea west. Out to site till 0030 May 6. Light disappeared about 0100 hrs. Light seen by Clarkin 0400 May 3 by Goose Island not reported at time. Men on semi-alert. BA notified in AM.
6 May 43
Weather: cloudy with few scattered showers, clearing in evening. Equipment functioning well, no trouble with beacon at all. An aircraft picked up in afternoon at 92 miles at 293 degrees, followed in to four miles at 236 degrees. (Apparently followed in on the beacon). Skeen Maid in 2130 hrs. Rations in, no canteen supplies or RDF equipment. Three men over from BA, plumber, fireman and W&B F/S.
7 May 43
Weather: clear in AM continuing same all day. Light seen at site again. Appears to be moving north about 15 or 20 miles out west. Seen about 0230 hrs. Notified by blinking of light. Out in truck 0230 hrs, returned 0340 hrs. BA notified, 0420 (cypher). On continuous watch till 0600 hrs. Unloaded boat 0800 hrs. Truck broke fan. Stranraer over 1115. L/C Kingsling, P/O Wilson, Major Bates, visited powerhouse, returned to BA 1245 hrs. F/L Onstrum returned also. Skeena Maid over to BA 1800 hrs. Two men, Sgt and F/S returned to BA.
8 May 43
Weather: clear in am, continuing same all day. Occasional clouds and an odd shower. Equipment working quite well. Nothing out of ordinary.
9 May 43
Weather: clear and warm. Equipment picking up out to about 90 miles. Plane over from BA, Stillwell and Marshall, pay 1540 to 1730. Skeena Maid back from BA. Rations meat, bread, extra messing from Kelly-Douglas. New men: Drost, Shore, Corbett, Law, Levitt, Guest, Luxton, Berto, Miller, Hutchinson, Homenock, Cpl Robinson over from BA fire section.
10 May 43
Weather: clear and mild, calm. Equipment running OK. Still waiting for remote lines and such. Truck still broken down. Water pump and brakes. Hutchinson working on both. Cpl Robinson from BA fire section set up equipment and gave lecture in evening and tried pump. Blew joint by No 1 hydrant.
11 May 43
Weather: clear, warm and calm. Equipment OK. Truck made one trip. Generator. Skeena Maid over to BA. McCue VD, WO2 Michael, Selinger, Haynes, and Schijns left for #2 MU. Remainder on TD. Cpl Robinson returned to BA. Made Britton temporarily in charge of RDF mechanics and operators.
12 May 43
Weather: clear and warm, calm. Thyratron gave trouble 1700 hrs. Men worked rest of day trying to repair. Cleaning up partly at site. No word of remote control, etc. No 3 Alert to be on continuously.
13 May 43
Weather: clear, calm, warm. Thyratron fixed 1500 hrs. (C5 broken down) replaced. No trouble since. (C5 in wrong way). Continue cleaning up. F/O Metcalfe over to BA 1250 hrs by aircraft. Truck broke down - pump. Four guards out shooting practice; Ward, O'Donohue, Rioux, MacDonald, Mousseau.
14 May 43
Weather: clear, warm and calm. 1050 hrs Skeena Maid back. Rations OK. RX gain intermittent. Power supply C - 6000V short to frame (in evening). Replaced immediately. Cleaning up continues. Truck still broken down at Emergency Ration Hut.
15 May 43
Weather: clear, warm and calm. Water pump for truck repaired. 0800 hrs, no gain on receiver, found two feeders broken (joints up in top array) connections resoldered and two or three spacers replaced. P/O Metcalfe returned 1330 hrs. Skeena Maid over to Ba 1310. New men: Kay, Mollish, Elliot. Total ration strength, 48 men.
16 May 43
Weather: clear, warm and calm. Equipment working OK. Skeena Maid back from BA 1740 hrs, RDF equipment, 12 case #17 ED. Two men from BA for phone line: Cpl Lafave, LAC Gebhard, LAC Vogler, RDF operators. Relief for Sanderson (Mullard). Canteen supplies, phone line equipment. Boat over to Namu for mail, 1830 hrs. Total ration strength: 49 (3 extra from BA), 52.
17 May 43
Weather: clear, warm and calm. Equipment working OK. Line men have 20 poles of remote control line strung. Boat back from Namu with mail 1200 hrs. Continue cleaning up. Ration strength: 49 (3 extra).
18 May 43
Weather: clouded up in morning and a few showers in evening. Work continues on remote control line about 60 poles up. Skeena Maid over to BA 1330 hrs. Lea, Lawrie, Mousseau on posting to Pat Bay. Hutchinson and Weiss over to Hospital; latter cannot keep anything down; kidney trouble, blood in urine. A little trouble with equipment; double pulse on receiver appeared to be Diesel. Ration strength: 46 plus 2 from BA.
19 May 43
Weather: cloudy, calm with rain off and on all day. Remote men working on inside at far end. Equipment OK. Shut down (except beacon) while men working in RX room. Beacon working fine. Ration Strength: 46 plus 2 from BA.
20 May 43
Weather: cloudy, intermittent showers, increasing in evening. Line men installed remote at far end and working on remote line. A little trouble with C5 in thyratron unit. Skeena Maid in from BA 1940 hrs. Rations OK. 65 men. R132867 Sgt Armstrong JW fire, R118078 Sgt Hall WW plumber, P401A F/S Stantial RC cook, over from BA. Ration Strength: 46 plus 5 extra men from BA.
21 May 43
Weather: cloudy and rain, clearing during day, but turning to rain again. Quite windy. Linemen continue to work on line, nearly finished. Equipment working OK. Fire Sgt making ladders. Plumber chnaging shower in #4 barracks. F/S Stantial checking over in mess. Ration Strength: 46 plus 5 extra men from BA.
22 May 43
Weather: intermittent rain and clear. Not much wind. Linemen completed installation of 3 double lines OK and telephone installed. Plumber supposed to install fire box heater, but wrong size. Firemen continues working on ladders. F/S Stantial believes cook has too long hours and stove is unsatisfactory and insufficient utensils. F/O Harris over from BA 1100 hrs by aircraft. Skeena Maid left for BA 1300 hrs. Sgt Ward, O'Donohue, Clarkin, F/S Stantial, Sgt Hall, Sgt Armstrong, Cpl Lafave and LAC Couldhard over by Skeena Maid. Made test with Ambray (No 4 Group 1600 to 1615 hrs through on5612.5, but unable to contact on 2640. Harris and Balmer over to BA 1730 hrs. Continue test, but unable to get through. Ration Strength: 46 and 5 extra men for 2 meals.
23 May 43
Weather: cloudy and some rain. Had to lock down aerials due to wind. Equipment working OK, change oscillator in beacon. Working on tests with Ambray; not working. Boat over from BA 1750 hrs Skeena Maid. LAC Condo, LAC Nunn, Cpl Miller, Hutchinson, Weiss, Clarkin. Boat over to Namu for mail, etc. Ration Strength: 50 men plus 1 no meal. RDF Ops on 24 hr duty.
24 May 43
Weather: windy with rain. Changed HRO to Admin Bldg and using remote line to transfer FRO output. Works OK. Tests; receive Rupert R4 to 6, but don't seem to get out. Equipment working OK. Ration strength: 50 men and 1 no meal.
25 May 43
Weather: cloudy and calm. Erecting Receiver aerial at Camp Site. Equipment working OK. P/O Balmer back from BA by aircraft. Cpl of workshops over also to examine. Test with Rupert on 5612.5 at 1900, 200 and 2100 hrs. Received Rupert R4 to 5 at 2000 hrs. Weiss departed for BA by aircraft. Tebby and MacDonald over for dental appointment. Skeena Maid left 1800 hrs.
26 May 43
Weather: cloudy in morning, clearing in afternoon. Test unsuccessful with Ambray. Changing AT3 antenna. Locating it across the bay. One wire for two aerials. Equipment working OK at site. Truck working except for poor points. Light seen on Goose Island at 1300 hrs.
27 May 43
Weather: some showers in AM, clearing up in afternoon. Finished installation of AT3 aerials in new location. Not much improvement in tests. Hearing Ambray (Ruper) on high freq but not on low. Not getting through to them at all. Equipment working OK at far end. Cpl Wilby returned to BA by aircraft 1300 hrs. Aircraft over from BA 1800 hrs. Wing Com Galloway, F/L LeaWarner, F/O Lane, Pilot, Foreman of W&B. F/O Harris, to NCO. Crewman all had supper. W/C Galloway inspected operations site. All returned to BA about 2000 hrs. Skeena Maid in 2145 hrs. Rations OK. Tebby, MacDonald back. Electrician and Jackman over. Not getting rations and a third.
28 May 43
Weather: clear and calm in am, but a few showers in evening. Making further test with Ambray. Getting through on low freq about R3, hearing Ambray about R3 also. Not getting through on high freq, 5612.5. Visited by MO and F/O Lowden from Bella Bella. MO gave some TABT's and KAHN's at 1400 hrs. Returned to BA 1645, by aircraft. Electrician went with them. Holding hourly tests with Ambray during night. Contacted them on 2640; out R4, in R5. A lot of interference. On 5612.5, out nil, in R3. Interference increasing during night.
29 May 43
Weather: periodically cloudy and cler with some showers during day. Tests with Rupert; low frequency not bad all morning, quite a bit of interference. High frequency unsatisfactory, cannot get through. Purpose to erect high poles. Beacon broke down in early am 0600 hrs. Bella Bella notified 0800 hrs. Faulty pye connection in aerial coupling, repaired in afternoon and back on air 1800 hrs. Skeena Maid over to Ba 1500 hrs, no passengers. Tests: over for day at 1700 hrs.
30 May 43
Weather: intermittent showers and clear. Skeena Maid in from BA. New men: LAC Ross JH, AC1 Ryalnd JH, AC1 Spanos A, AC1 Cook GJ, LAC Gebhard EJ, LAC Simpson EH, LAC Riopka DH, LAC Quaid JF, LAC Bartlett CE, LAC Baker WV. Fyfe back from leave. Equipment working OK. Men working on poles by guard tent, experiencing some difficulties. No tests with Group. Trying to arrange HRO antenna at site. Skeena Maid over to Namu 1800 hrs. 59 for rations.
31 May 43
Weather: reasonably clear, some rain. Nobry, Shust, Currie over for Trade Tests, replaced by Cpl and LAC. Skeena Maid back from Namu and over to BA for truck, back again 2100 hrs, no truck. Equipment OK. Visited by P/O Harris. HRO returned to far end and antenna temporarily erected. Tests made with No 4 Group at 1530 hr and continued 24 hrs from 1800 hrs on. Low freq on hour and high freq on 15 after. Low getting through, but high poor. Two poles cut over on Spitfire Island ready for pole-setters. F/O Harris returned to BA 1700 hrs also LAC Mallard. Rioux over to BA. Ration strength: 58. Marconi aerial erected for High (1st).
JH Davies, F/O
1 Jun 43
Weather: cloudy and warm. Tests proved fairly satisfactory on low frequency, but not on high (frequency tests with Marconi showed no difference on high frequency). Only two or three tests. Tests concluded at 1700 hrs. Signaled No 4 Group, advising we are ready to commence operations, using low frequency. Skeena Maid over to BA 1400 hrs. Kay and Berto medical, Henderson and Blunt dentist. BC Forester arrived in early am with JB Knox, RCA Victor (Montreal), BR Tupper, BC Telephone Co. and Sgt Roberts H of No 9 CMU, looking for site for communication system F/M to Bella Coola. (Departed 1400 hrs for BA). Equipment working OK. Rations 55.
2 Jun 43
Weather: dull, warm and quite a few clouds. No further test with 4 Group. No reply from signal concerning operations. Equipment working OK. Received telegram concerning Marwell truck to be shipped immediately to Marwell (signal from WAC 1600 hrs). Aircraft over from BA with F/O Stillwell (pay), returned 1700 hrs. Ration 55.
3 Jun 43
Weather: clear and warm. No further test with Rupert. Equipment working OK. Skeena Maid back from Bella Bella with RCAF truck, 1800. Cpl Loades FH (fire) over from Bella Bella. Berto, Blunt and Kay back. Skeena Maid over to Namu 1900 hrs. (Berto, Nunn, Kassie, Luxton). Rations in for 45 men only, 59 eating here. Diesel men re-exchanged by aircraft (Cpl O'Donohue).
4 Jun 43
Weather: clear and warm. Received word from No 4 Group that they were not ready to commence telling and that they would advise us. Skeena Maid back from Namu with mail, 1030 hrs. Truck onloaded and Marwell truck loaded onto scow and shipped to Bella Bella for shipment to Vancouver. Aircraft in from BA. P/O Nielson JB and LAC Hester EN from No 2 MU for inventory. New men: Cpl Pratt, LAC Baker LT and LAC Brocklebank. (feeding 64 men). Miller back to BA. Johnstone returned to No 2 MU from TD here.
5 Jun 43
Weather: clear and warm, a few clouds. Doing some painting at site. Checking inventory. Equipment working OK. Repair work being done on road. Feeding 64.
6 Jun 43
Weather: clear and warm, some clouds in pm. Equipment locked down for part of day due to wind. Beacon working OK. Skeena Maid in from BA 1800 hrs, Sgt Pentland, Milne GM, Henderson. Over to Namu for mail, 1900 hrs (Blunt, Corbett, Desroche, Currie). Feeding about 66 men. Continue work on inventory.
7 Jun 43
Weather: a few clouds, but warm. Equipment working fine - shut down some due to winds. Men repairing roads, etc. Continue work on RDF Inventory. Feeding about 66 men.
8 Jun 43
Weather: cloudy in morning, clear and warm in afternoon. Equipment working OK. (Locked). Skeena Maid over to BA 1200 hrs, (P/O Nielson, Hester, Nunn, Guest, MacDonald, Shust, Gebbard, Mollish, Cpl Loader). Visited by SMO in afternoon, 1400 hrs. (Air Defence Grid). He returned to BA 1800 hrs. Feeding about 57 men, rations low.
9 Jun 43
Weather: clear and warm with only a few clouds. Equipment OK, some wind at Point. Skeena Maid back from BA with locker and compressor unit, 1400 hrs. Visited by F/L Lowden (Equipment), F/L MacDonald, Padre, from Jericho, also Cpl George and Sgt MacCall, by aircraft. Returned 1600 hrs. Feeding about 57 men.
10 Jun 43
Weather: mostly clear and warm. Equipment OK. Skeena Maid returned to BA 0600 hrs. Visited at 1230 hrs by W/C Hess, F/L (W&B) WC Galloway; F/L McGee, F/L Elliott, F/O Piolt, F/O Lane, board for taking over by aircraft. Had dinner and left 1500 hrs. Testing with Mar 1400 hrs, each 15 minutes after the hour, high frequency changed to 5780, works better. Using hard rations (Emergency) 2 - 6# tins beef, 18 tins beef dinner and 1/4 tin dehydrated potatoes. Skeena Maid in with lockers and rations from BA 1600 hrs. Rations for 55, feeding about 61. Nunn, Gebhard, Mollish, Shust; ove to BA Norby, McLeod, Homenock, Kay.
11 Jun 43
Weather: clear with few clouds in morning, mild. Skeena Maid arrived from Namu with mail and 1 case radio equipment and extra rations. Tests continue with No 4 Group. High frequency faded about 0900 hrs and low about 1400 hrs. Changed high frequency from 5780 to 5612.5 at 2030 hrs. Operations started 2055 hrs. Skeena Maid left for BA 1130 hrs. No passengers. Rations - feeding 61 men.
12 Jun 43
Weather: mostly clear, some clouds. Continue Operations. Had to revert to CW during the day as R/T faded out. Not many plots. Skeena Maid in from BA - compressor, new me: Peikoff, Ferris, Cooke. RDF/Opr 1130. Pulled out wit mail, Shust, Nunn and Mollish 1430 hrs. R/T faded about 0800 or 0900 until 1800 hrs. Rations fed 61 men.
13 Jun 43
Weather: clear in morning, clouding towards evening. Upper feeders arching. Joint broken. R/T very poor during day. Picking up quite a few plots. Beacon seems to be working OK. Canso flying around a lot. Skeena Maid in from BA 1800 hrs, out to Namu for mail 1900 hrs. Clarkin, French, Jardine. Equipment working OK. Rations required for 61 men. Sgt over from BA to lecture on new wireless procedure, arrived by aircraft 1800 hrs, left 2200 hrs.
14 Jun 43
Weather: dull with drizzle in morning clearing up in afternoon. Thyratron u/s 0015 hrs to 1800 hrs. RX u/s 1600 hrs to 1800 hrs, back on air; used RT all day; quite poor in daytime. Skeena Maid back in from Namu 1130hrs with mail. Aircraft over in am but unable to land due to logs. Rations required - 61.
15 Jun 43
Weather: clear in am but clouding up and turning to rain and wind in evening. Equipment working OK during day. Shut down about 1900 hrs for wind. Reception poor during day, improved in evening. Good up till 0900 hrs. Skeena Maid left for BA 1300 hrs. Cook, Milne, Simpson, Berto, Lavitt, Tebby, Drost, Spanos on boat. Rations required 61 less 8 for supper.
16 Jun 43
Weather: cloudy in am and rain, clearing in pm. Equipment working OK, but signals circuit is very poor during daytime from 0900 to 1800 hrs. Visited by S/L Blackler and F/O Bland from No 4 Group HQ to check up on ciruit. In 1200 hrs for two meals, out 2000 hrs. WOGs admitted to building. P/O Metcalfe, Cpl Jardine over to BA by aircraft. Rations 53 and 2 for 2 meals.
17 Jun 43
Weather: unsettled, occasional showers, light wind, generally fair, very high ceiling in pm and clear. RW equipment satisfactory, all units OK. Skeena Maid having engine trouble, major repairs necessary. Jaeger arrived from BA and Namu. Brought in rations and projector. Operator Clark arrived with machine for instructional purposes. Boat unloaded rations and left for BA at 2035 hrs. Movie from 2045 till approx midnight. Telling CRT very poor during daylight. More plots tracked than any previous day. Men: 53.
18 Jun 43
Weather: clear most of day, no wind. Equipment working OK. Operators busy. Signals with Rupert fairly good on RT up until 1200 hrs. Show again during day for men on duty during night. Rations: 53.
19 Jun 43
Weather: rained a little in am, clearing off in afternoon, calm. Telling ceased with Rupert at 0900 hrs authority - signal from No 4 Group. Party to be sent in to fix aerials. P/O Metcalfe returned from BA. Cook and two airmen for demolishment measurements. Airmen over to BA for dance, Blunt, Homenock, Kay, Law, Corbett, French, Livingston, Oldfield. Baker over for medical reasons. LAC Clarke (movie operator) returned. P/O Balmer over in evening. P/O Metcalfe posted to Sea Island to await arrival of P/O Davies. Rations: 52 approx. Grid RX received from BA.
20 Jun 43
Weather: cloudy with rain in morning, clearing in afternoon. Only sending one mechanic to far end to keep bacon operating; remainder to work at camp. Pland over in afternoon, P/O Balmer in evening and eight men returned; Jardine and new guard, LAC Quaid broke his leg while fooling around in barracks 2000 hrs. Aircraft over from BA 2145 hrs. Doctor away. P/O Balmer ordered to proceed to No 2 Wireless School for course terminating 16 October. Rations 53 approx.
21 Jun 43
Weather: clear and calm, foggy in am, ceiling very high in afternoon. Still shut down at far end, men cleaning up and cutting wood. Jaeger in via Namu, mail, extra messing and fire extinguishers, 1100 hr, out 1300 hrs. Plane in from Rupert with signals officer WA Fuller F/O - C11837, 1500 hrs. P/O Balmer left by boat on TD at Calgary No 2 Wireless School. Simpson returned by aircaft, 1400 hrs; clothing drill and tailor from BA. Spanos back from Skeena Maid. Rations 55 approx. Commenced 12 hour watch on BA squadron frequency 3645.
22 Jun 43
Weather: mostly clear, a few drops of rain in early morning. Still shut down at operations site. F/O Fuller working on aerials. HRO brought down from far end. Men working on cleaning up and installing airmen's lockers. Ration strength approx 55.
23 Jun 43
Weather: mostly fair with some clouds and rain in early morning. Still shut down at far end. F/O Fuller working on aerials at administration building. No tests made with Group. Men cleaning up around camp and gravelling road. Stranraer in about 1500 h rs. MO and Diesel F/Sgt and Fire F/Sgt from BA. Rations required about 55.
24 Jun 43
Weather: mostly clear and calm. Equipment working OK. Still working on equipment. (antennae for AT3). Testing at intervals on both frequencies. Men still working around camp and on lockers. Most of these installed but no hinges or hasps. Jaeger over about 1900 hrs with rations, canteen supplies and show, Sergeant York. Holloway, Kassie, Williams and Vogler back from BA. Homenock remained. Cpl Suddaby, refrigeration man here. Also Cpl Hayes in exchange for AC1 Ryland. Jaeger back to BA 2000 hrs. Rations about 60. McLeod, Clarkin on leave and Ryland.
25 Jun 43
Weather: mostly clear, few scattered showers in late evening. F/O Fuller still working on antennae. Equipment working Ok. Beacon working satisfactorily. Cpl Suddaby installed refrigerator in kitchen. Baked equipment in stove to dry. Nothing out of ordinary. Rations for about 60 men.
26 Jun 43
Weather: a few drops of rain in early am. Cloudy most of day. Crash boat over about 0400 hrs for F/O fuller. Started telling again 0830 hrs. RT worked OK till afternoon and both faded then. Contacts again about 1900 hrs. F/O Stillwell and F/L Marshall over for pay parade, checked stamps and canteen, 1600 hrs, returned to BA 2150 hrs. Trade Tested four RDF operators. Rations about 60 men.
27 Jun 43
Weather: clear and warm. Continue trade test. RDF Ops and Mechanics. Equipment working OK. RT worked OK all day. Aircraft over 1330 hrs with P/O Davies and P/O Little to take over. Continued trade tests. Jaeger over from BA via Namu with mail and chocolate bars. AC1 Homenock back from BA 1800 hrs, left for BA 1915 hrs. Roller to Marwell, drill bits to Carter Caldinger, Prince Rupert. Cpl Suddaby left. Rations for abut 62 men.
28 Jun 43
Weather: cloudy in am. Clearing in afternoon and clouding up in evening. Equipment woarking OK. Contact lost with Rupert 1300 to 1500 hrs. Stranaer taking pictures. P/O Davies took over RDF Inventory. Ration strength 53.
29 Jun 43
Weather: clear and warm. Equipment OK. Aircraft over in am taking photographs. Aircraft over in pm (1400) bring Padre and officers i/c Airforce Show "Blackouts of 1943".
30 Jun 43
Weather: clear and warm. Equipment OK. P/O Metcalfe departed for Sea Island today, P/O Davies taking over as OC. Small party of Blackouts of l1943 Show came over today and put on show. Party arranged by W/C Galloway.
JH Davies, F/O
1 Jul 43
Weather: clear and warm. Equipment OK. Jaeger arrived from Bella Bella today with mail and supplies. Motion picture show in camp tonight. Four men out on leave.
2 Jul 43
Weather: cloudy and overcast. Equipment OK. No unusual occurrences.
3 Jul 43
Weather: cloudy and overcast. Equipment OK. RT is still giving a great deal of trouble. communications with Prince Rupert very unsatisfactory. Nothing out of the ordinary.
4 Jul 43
Weather: cloudy and overcast with some rain. Equipment OK, but a heavy, gusty wind forced the locking of the aerials. Wind was checked continually so that operations could be resumed as early as possible.
5 Jul 43
Weather: cloudy and overcast with some rain. Equipment OK. Operations were resumed as wind subsided enough to permit aerials to rotate. Jaegaer arrived about 1700 hrs from Bella Bella with mail and rations. Two men proceeded on leave and one to the dentist.
6 Jul 43
Weather: cloudy and overcast. A bull gang is working in the woods this week to bring in a supply of fuel. Fuel situation is serious, as good wood is hard to find here. Equipment OK. No unusual occurrences.
7 Jul 43
Weather: cloudy, overcast, heavy rain. Equipment OK. Nothing out of the ordinary.
8 Jul 43
Weather: cloudy and overcast. Some rain. Equipment OK. Skeena Maid arrived about 1500 hrs, resuming her run after undergoing repairs at Vancouver. Unloaded rations and departed for Namu to pick up mail.
9 Jul 43
Weather: cloudy and overcast. Some rain. Equipment OK. Skeena Maid returned from Namu about 1100 hrs, accompanied by Snipe towing a scow. Both craft departed about 1200 hrs, leaving scow to be unloaded. Large quantity of lumber aboard.
10 Jul 43
Weather: cloudy and overcast. Equipment OK. Testing of new RT frequency not carried out as contact very poor.
11 Jul 43
Weather: cloudy and overcast. Some rain. Equipment OK. New RT frequency tested: Proved more successful than others. It will take some time to prove its worth. Skeena Maid arrived from Bella Bella with rations and supplies. Show tonight, Look Who's Laughing.
12 Jul 43
Weather: fair and warm. Equipment OK. Skeena Maid returned from Namu with mail. Nothing out of the ordinary.
13 Jul 43
Weather: cloudy and overcast, with some rain. Equipment OK. Skeena Maid departed for Bella Bella today with mail and some equipment. F/O RT Harland, calibration officer arrived today from No 2 MU to commence calibration. Preliminary check made of equipment. Work continuing on sewage system repairs. Drainage ditch being dug.
14 Jul 43
F/L Reed MO and F/O Lane WB arrived by aircraft from Bella Bella to discuss water supply and repairs to septic tank. Corporal of W&B accompanied them. Septic tank was found to be leaking very badly.
15 Jul 43
Weather: cloudy and overcast. Light rain. Work still proceeding on septic tank and drainage ditch. Pre-calibration check being made on equipment. Skeena Maid arrived from Bella Bella with rations and supplies. Show in canteen, "Pittsburgh".
16 Jul 43
Weather: cloudy and overcast, light rain. Skeena Maid returned from Namu with mail and supplies. Work continuing on septic tank and drainage ditch. Skeena Maid departed for Bella Bella.
17 Jul 43
Weather: cloudy and overcast with heavy rain. Precalibration work being continued on equipment. Nothing out of the ordinary.
18 Jul 43
Weather: cloudy and overcast. Skeena Maid arrived from Bella Bella with rations and supplies, and departed for Namu to pick up mail and supplies. Show in the canteen, "There's Magic in Music".
19 Jul 43
Weather: fair and warm. Precalibration work continuing on equipment. Skeena Maid returned from Namu with mail and supplies. Nothing out of the ordinary. P/O JH Davies promoted to F/O, (AFRO 1294).
20 Jul 43
Weather: fair and warm. P/O Allred, Education Officer, Bella Bella, arrived here today to hold IQ test for men remustering for aircrew. Returned by aircraft in afternoon. Precalbration work on equipment completed. Waiting for aircraft to start calibration.
21 Jul 43
Weather: fair and warm. F/O MacDonald, F/O West, and F/O Wilson, calibration crews arrived at Port Hardy to commence calibration. F/O MacDonald made the first calibration flight for us. Not very successful.
22 Jul 43
Weather: fair and warm. Calibration continuing. Successful flights held in am and pm. Skeena Maid arrived from Bella Bella with rations and supplies and departed later for Namu to pick up mail. Show in canteen, "You'll Never Get Rich".
23 Jul 43
Weather: fair and warm. Skeena Maid arrived from Namu with mail and supplies. Departed again for Bella Bella.
24 Jul 43
Weather: fair and warm. F/O Long, Signals Officer from BA arrived for short visit today in aircraft. F/O Davies returned to BA with aircraft on TD.
25 Jul 43
Weather: fair and warm. Work of calibrating aerials continued. Skeena Maid arrived in afternoon. Show "Wrecking Crew" in canteen in evening.
26 Jul 43
Weather: cloudy but no precipitation. Work on aerials continued. Everything else as per routine. Skeena Maid arrived back from Namu with mail.
27 Jul 43
Weather: fine. Skeena Maid left about 1300 hrs with mail and passengers for Bella Bella. three fawns have been noticed so far; a pair of twins and a single. The fawns and their mothers have become so tame that they frequently come right into camp and have made a clean sweep of our gardens. F/O Davies returned from Bella Bella.
28 Jul 43
Weather: fair and warm. Equipment working OK. Calibration officer still here and work proceeding on aerials. Sgt Hicks is here to do some work on RT equipment, which is still giving some trouble.
29 Jul 43
Weather: fair and warm. Work still proceeding at operations site. Skeena Maid arrived about noon from Bella Bella, bring rations and supplies. Departed about 1800 hrs for Namu to pick up mail. Show in canteen in the evening, "Forty Thousand Horsemen".
30 Jul 43
Weather: fair and warm. Equipment still working well. Calibration Officer still proceeding with work. Skeena Maid returned from Namu with mail and departed for Bella Bella.
31 Jul 43
Weather continues fiar and warm, very little rain the last two weeks. Calibration officer still here. Sgt Hicks is awaiting men from No 9 CMU to put up new RT antennae.
JH Davies, F/O
1 Aug 43
Weather cloudy and dull. Strength: 3 officers, (1 absent, TD), 1 officer here on TD, airmen 68. MV Cape Canso arrived here 0700 hrs. F/L Burridge, Command Marine Officer, F/O Simpson, Master Cape Canso and P/O Miller, New Master of Skeena Maid, came ashore. Departed about 1000 hrs. F/O Davies left with them to see BC Packers manager at Namu. Equipment OK. Show in canteen tonight "Henry Aldrich, Editor". Skeena Maid arrived from Bella Bella with rations and supplies and then left for Namu.
2 Aug 43
Weather cloudy and dull. Skeena Maid arrived from Namu with mail. Calibration officer still working at operations. Equipment operating well. Nothing out of ordinary to report.
3 Aug 43
Weather fair and warm. Skeena Maid departed for Bella Bella with mail and passengers. Nothing out of ordinary to report. Cpl Weir of No 2 MU is here to check on inventory. Three GDs arrived here over weekend.
4 Aug 43
Weather fair and warm. A bull gang has been steadily employed for the past week and will be on indefinitely to bring in wood. The wood situation is going to be rather serious before winter is over. Equipment is working well. Nothing out of the ordinary. Some of the airmen are doing some fishing off the island with rather poor results as yet.
5 Aug 43
Weather fair and warm. Calibration is still in program, but is being seriously delayed by poor flying conditions at Port Hardy. Equipment is working well. MV Skeena Maid arrived today from Bella Bella with rations and personnel. Departed for Namu to pick up mail. Nothing very extraiordinary to report.
6 Aug 43
Weather fair and warm. MV Skeena Maid arrived from Namu this morning with mail. Departed at noon for Bella Bella with personnel. Equipment working very well, but RT communications still very poor. Nothing unusual.
7 Aug 43
Weather cloudy and dull ending a period of several days of nice weather. Bull gang is making considerable progress with wood-cutting but is seriously impeded by lack of proper equipment, saws, winch etc. Nothing unusual.
8 Aug 43
Weather cloudy and dull. MV Skeena Maid arrived today from Bella Bella bringing personnel and mail. Departed again for Namu immediately to pick up mail, etc. Calibration still in progress and minor adjustments being made to equipment as calibration exercises make them necessary. Nothing unusual to report.
9 Aug 43
Weather fair and warm, but more clouds seem to be gathering. MV Skeena Maid returned from Namu with mail and supplies. Very quiet day, nothing unusual.
10 Aug 43
Weather fair and warm. At about 0300 hours word was received from Bella Bella for Skeena Maid to leave immediately to help with search for survivors of BC Star which has been missing for some time. Skeena Maid departed about 0045 hrs. Two men left on TD for Victoria. Equipment working very well, but RT communications are very poor. No contact with Rupert for 24 hours at a time. Nothing unusual to report.
11 Aug 43
Weather cloudy and cool with some rain. A spring has been broken on the truck and the men are walking to and from the operations building. Biggest problem is getting all supplies to operations. It is being taken around the island in a boat, and carried up to the operations site. Repair parts for truck wired for. Our diesel motor still u/s as repair parts have not arrived. Nothing unusual to report.
12 Aug 43
Weather fair and warm. Wing Commander Galloway, F/L Whiting and F/L Muggan arrived by aircraft for purpose of officially taking over the detachment. MV Snipe arrived from Bella Bella with rations and mail, having called at Namu on the way over. Departed immediately for Bella Bella.
13 Aug 43
Weather fair and warm, and has been exceptionally fine for past several weeks. Work has been continued on wood-cutting during this time. F/O Mudrick, Group Radi Officer arrived today on an inspection visit and will remain several days. Calibrations are still being continued and the equipment is working very well.
14 Aug 43
Weather fair and warm. F/O Madrick inspected detachment and made several suggestions for improvement. Nothing unusual to report.
15 Aug 43
Weather fair and warm. F/O Little has developed an infection in his leg from being hit by a falling tree and has gone to Bella Bella station for treatment. MV Cape Canso arrived with personnel and mail from Bella Bella. Departed again almost immediately. Second time this week that the movies have not been received. Every one misses them very much. Equipment working very well.
16 Aug 43
Weather still continues fair and warm. F/O Mudrick spoke to a meeting of the Airmen's Mess and then had a few words to say to the RDF personnel. Nothing unusual to report.
17 Aug 43
Weather still fair and warm. LAC Wiley hurt while cutting wood. It is feared it is a rupture. MO has been summoned from BA. Aircraft arrived in pm bringing MO and also civilian surveyor. F/Sgt Sharpe, No 9 CMU and a civilian to install the chlorinator in our water system. MO confirms diagnosis on Wiley and has him removed to BA by plane. F/O Mudrick also leaves with aircraft.
18 Aug 43
Weather fair and warm. Exceptionally fine weather has been experienced lately. Aircraft over in afternoon bring the padre, Educational Oficer and YMCA man from Bella Bella. First film in nearly two weeks also arrived. Equipment working very well but RT communications very poor.
19 Aug 43
Weather cloudy and dull with showers. MV Skeena Maid arrived back on Spider run after completing search for BC Star. Brought in rations, personnel from BA and departed for Namu for mail. Eight No 9 MU men arrived today to install new wireless hut for Pacific Communication Programme.
20 Aug 43
Weather cloudy and dull. Heavy rains during the night and most of the morning. An inspection parade was to have been held this morning, but postponed because of weather. MV Skeena Maid arrived from Namu and then departed for BA. First of men proceeding on 48 hour passes to Ocean Falls went along under new arrangements with Bella Bella. Equipment working very well.
21 Aug 43
Weather continues cloudy and dull after heavy rains again last night. Parade again postponed. MV Jaeger arrived here on orders from Bella Bella and is standing by awaiting instructions. Equipment is working well, but RT communications are still very poor. No solution to this problem is evident, and it is causing considerable concern.
22 Aug 43
Weather cloudy and dull with light showers. Calibration is nearing completion and the equipment is working well. MV Skeena Maid arrived this afternoon from Bella Bella with supplies and personnel. Proceeded on to Namu. Film in recreation hall tonight "Henry Aldrich for President".
23 Aug 43
Weather fair and warm, after a few days of rain. MV Skeena Maid returned from Namu with supplies and mail in the morning. Nothing out of the ordinary to report.
24 Aug 43
Weather clear and warm. F/O Lane, WB officer from BA and F/P Carver, who is to replace him, came over by aircraft to look over the station. Accompanied by Mr Knox of Pacific Communications Programme who spotted the new aerials which are to be erected by No 9 CMU. P/O Little, who has been in the hospital at Bella Bella returned to this unit. Equipment working well, but RT still very poor.
25 Aug 43
Weather continues fair. The first weekly parade was held this morning and considering that it has been some time since a parade has been held, it was very good. Calibration has almost been completed. F/O Harland needs only one or two flights to finish up. Weather has been the main reason for the delay in calibration. Nothing unusual to report.
26 Aug 43
Weather still continues fair and warm. During this nice weather, efforts are being made to build up a supply of wood. This work is handicapped by the fact that we have not yet received a drag saw. F/O Stillwell of Bella Bella arrived by aircraft this morning to hold pay parade. It is the first time a Canso has landed here as Stranaers usually come in. Captain of the aircraft reported that the mooring buoy was missing. MV Skeena Maid in from Bella Bella with rations and personnel. Proceeded to Namu immediately. Film in recreation hall, "Stanley and Livingston".
27 Aug 43
Weather continues fair and warm. MV Skeena Maid returned from Namu with mail and then proceeded to Bella Bella and Ocean Falls, taking personnel on 48's. F/O Harland completed the calibration of this detachment today, and is awaiting transportation. Heavy rains during evening and night.
28 Aug 43
Heavy rains continue today. Equipment is working well, but RT communications is still very poor. Nothing unusual to report.
29 Aug 43
Weather fair and warm. Nothing unusual to report during day. MV Skeena Maid returned from BA tonight with personnel and supplies. Film in recreation hall tonight, "My Favourite Spy".
30 Aug 43
Weather cloudy and dull. Four No 9 CMU men who arrived yesterday are packing up boxes and supplies left by construction company for shipment. MV Skeena Maid returned from Namu with mail and supplies and departed immediately for Bella Bella. A Stranraer and a Norseman in today, bringing F/L Armstrong, Command Security Guard officer; F/L McCue 9 CMU and F/O Wilson of BA, also F/Sgt Sharpe 9 CMU. F/L Armstrong and F/O Wilson inspected unit defences. F/L McCue was locating aerials. All departed later in day. F/O Harland also departed.
31 Aug 43
Weather cloudy and dull. Nothing unusual to report. Equipment is working well.
JH Davies F/O
1 Sep 43
Strength: officers 3 (1 absent on TD), Airmen 79
Weather fair and warm. Stranraer over taking photographs. F/O Long, Signals officer from BA landed to discuss signals situation which is very poor. Weekly parade and barracks inspection held this morning and situation is improving. Equipment working very well.
2 Sep 43
Weather fair and warm. VM Skeena Maid arrived from Bella Bella with rations and personnel and proceeded to Namu. Film in recreation hall tonight, "Dressed to Kill". Nothing unusual to report.
3 Sep 43
Weather fair and warm. MV Skeena Maid returned from Namu with mail and supplies. She then commenced dragging operations for missing mooring buoy. Previous attempts to locate it have been unsuccessful. RT communications are very poor.
4 Sep 43
Weather continues fair and warm. MV Skeena Maid was finally successful in location of missing buoy. Examination revealed that it had been sunk by rifle shot. An immediate enquiry was held. Guilty party discovered and remanded to Bella Bella. MV Skeena Maid proceeded to Bella Bella with mail. Equipment working very well.
5 Sep 43
Weather fair and warm. MV Skeen Maid returned this morning with supplies, personnel and mail. Departed later for Bella Bella and Ocean Falls with 48's. Equipment working very well, but RT communciations very uncertain.
6 Sep 43
Weather fair and warm. Repair parts for the truck having been received it is now undergoing overhaul. Reports indicate it is in very bad condition. Nothing out of ordinary.
7 Sep 43
Weather fair and warm. Skeena Maid arrived back from Ocean Falls late in the evening.
8 Sep 43
The weather continues to be ideal. Routine of detachment life unbroken. Italy's surrender announced on radio.
9 Sep 43
Weather unchanged. Skeena Maid arrived at noon with rations, canteen supplies and the drag saw which we have been needing so much and have been waiting for since June. Show in canteen in evening.
10 Sep 43
Skeena Maid returned from Namu in the morning with mail. Quite a dense fog was present till mid-afternoon although the sun shone brightly all day. F/O Davies departed on annual leave. Miller, Kassie and Nunn left to start aircrew training.
11 Sep 43
Clear and bright in morning and early afternoon but clouds gathered during the late afternoon and evening. It seems that our highly appreciated period of fine weather has ended. The drag saw has been put to work on drift wood in the cove near the point. The results are gratifying.
12 Sep 43
Cloudy with scattered showers. The Skeena Maid arrived at 2030 hrs from Ocean Falls (via Bella Bella) bringing a show and a supply of wood stoves. Sgt Pentland (Sec GD) was on board, returning from a course at Gordon Head.
13 Sep 43
The weather cleared during the night and has been fine all day. The Skeena Maid unloaded the stoves in the morning and then proceeded to Namu for mail. One of our diesels is in danger of going u/s due to a worn water-pump belt. Replacements were ordered some time ago but have not arrived.
14 Sep 43
Quite sunny all day but the wind was strong. The crew of the Skeena Maid installed a new bumper log at the wharf. The diesel went u/s early this morning and left us operating on one only (one went u/s some weeks ago when a rocker arm broke). In the afternoon its belt gave way too but Sgt Grunberg managed to affect a repair with rivets he made from the core of Andrews cable. However it is doubtful if it will hold very long.
15 Sep 43
Weather continues fine. One diesel still servicable.
16 Sep 43
Weather bright and cool. The Skeena Maid arrived at noon. The Padre from Bella Bella was on board. The diesel belt failed in the early evening but a belt from the emergency ration building's refrigeration unit was put into service and the movie and work went on. The Padre held a service in the canteen in the early eveing which was well attended. Plans are being formulated for regualr religious services here.
17 Sep 43
Good weather still holding. A Communion service was held by the Padre at 0900 hours. The woodcutting is progressing favourably. We are badly in need of a wood-shed. The power failed again at 1800 hours. This time no repair is possible. We are off the air until replacements for the worn belt arrive.
18 Sep 43
Weather sunny and warm all day. A plane arrived just before noon with two diesel belts and the station was soon operational again. The Padre returned to Bella Bella on the plane. In the afternoon F/O Wilson from Bella Bella visited the station for about an hour arriving and leaving by plane. During the evening the sky clouded up and rain began to fall intemittently.
19 Sep 43
Heavy rain most of the day, wind fairly high. The Skeena Maid stayed over in Bella Bella.
20 Sep 43
Very cloudy all day. The Skeena Maid arrived in the afternoon with Cpl Palm (Sec Gd) and three #9 CMU men to check the wiring of the camp. Dr Mugan, the SMO at Bella Bella, and the Adjutant of #9 quadron arrived via plane in the afternoon and F/L Mugan inspected the camp. There was a show in the canteen in the afternoon and evening.
21 Sep 43
No precipitation but weather dull. Skeena Maid arrived with mail at noon and proceeded at once to Bella Bella. Everything else as per routine.
22 Sep 43
Weekly parade and inspection postponed one day because of rain which fell periodically all day. In the aftenoon two of the airmen found a camera, flashlight, films, ink, housewife, holdall and similar article on the beach of Break Island. Bella Bella was informed by wire.
23 Sep 43
Cloudy in early morning but later skies cleared. The weekly parade and inspection were held in the morning. In the afternoon Mr Pickard (YMCA) and Captain Armitage arrived by plane from Bella Bella. In the evening Captain Armitage gave dramatic portrayals of characters from Dicken's works which were enthusiastically received. The usual Thurs movie was also shown, it being "The Great American Broadcast".
24 Sep 43
Weather bright and warm. Paymaster arrived in afternoon by plane and returned to Bella Bella about 1630 hrs taking Mr Pickard and Captain Armitage along. A beginning was made in organzing a discussion group, a preliminary meeting being held in the canteen for the election of officers. About a dozen men attended this first meeting.
25 Sep 43
Bright weather until the evening when it became quite warm and clouded up. Late at night some rain fell. Nothing unusual to report.Wood cutting still proceeding satisfactorily.
26 Sep 43
Heavy storm during the night. A large tree at corner of administration building blew down cutting a telephone line. Weather cleared toward afternoon. Skeena Maid in from Bella Bella with supplies and personnel and departed for Namu. Show held in the recreation hall at night. A busy day was experienced at the operations end with activity all day long.
27 Sep 43
Very poor weather still being experienced. Continues very dull and cloudy with occasional showers. MV Skeena Maid returned from Namu with mail and supplies. Caterpillar tractor which was obtained from Bella Bella for use of No. 9 CMU men broke down on the beach at cove. Worked all evening to move it part way up bank away from tide.
28 Sep 43
Very dull and misty all day with intervals of rain and high wind. During the morning W/C Foy, W/C Chalk and S/L Stewart from Western Air Command and F/O Long from Bella Bella visited the detachment. They inspected the detachment and departed via the Skeena Maid in the afternoon. Wood heaters are presently being installed in the various buildings replacing coal heaters which have been used. Coal heaters are being shipped to #28 Detachment Cape St. James.
29 Sep 43
A little rain in the early morning but cleared later and the weather became quite nice. Weekly parade and barrack inspection held today as per routine. #9 CMU men are proceeding quite satisfactorily with work. Second meeting of discussion group held in the canteen in the evening.
30 Sep 43
Weather clear and warm. F/L McKell of 9 CMU arrived to inspect work on W/T and F/M aerials. Then proceeded to Port Hardy via boat. MV Skeen Maid arrived from Bella Bella with supplies but no rations aboard. Skeen Maid then proceeded to Namu.
(JH Davies) Flying Officer
Officer Commanding
RCAF Detachment #9
Spider Island, BC.
1 Oct 43
Nominal roll shows three officers (one absent on TD) and 75 airmen on strength. F/O Davies returned from annual leave on the plane which brought WACs show "The Joe Boys" under the leadership of F/O Lister. The Joe Boys staged an excellent show, largely musical, in the canteen in the evening. The weather - wonderfully clear and warm all day.2 Oct 43
Weather clear and warm all day. Equipment is working very well and RT communications seem to be improving slightly. Joe Boys staged another show in the recreation hall tonight. Enjoyed by all personnel.
3 Oct 43
Weather foggy in am but cleared slightly in afternoon. Joe Boys party departed by Stranraer in afternoon for Coal Harbour. MV Skeena Maid did not return from Bella Bella today with personnel. No unusual occurrences.
4 Oct 43
Weather overcast and cloudy with slight rain. MV Jaeger arrived from Bella Bella with personnel and supplies. Skeena Maid was making a run to Bella Coola so Jaeger took run for her. MV Jaeger returned to Bella Bella immediately. P/O Little went to Bella on temporary duty.
5 Oct 43
Weather cloudy and overcast with some rain. MV Skeena Maid arrived today bringing mail and supplies from Namu. Departed shortly after for Bella Bella. Nothing out of ordinary to report.
6 Oct 43
Weather clear and warm. Stranraer over from Bella Bella bringing S/L Blackler Group Signals Officer and S/L Aiken of Command Signals. S/L Blackler inspected operations and signals sections while S/L Aiken located site for new D/F Beacon to be installed. A fog closed in early in afternoon and visiting officers stayed over. On Wednesday evening the newly formed discussion group held a meeting which was well attended.
7 Oct 43
Weather clear and warm with fog closing in occasionally and then clearing. Early in afternoon Stranraer landed to pick up S/L Blackler and S/L Aiken. LAC Berto sentenced to seven days detention was also sent out under escort Sgt Narby. MV Skeena Maid arrived late in evening having been delayed by waiting for ration boat. Departed for Namu to pick up mail and supplies. Show held in recreation hall this evening. Richard Dix in "Tombstone".
8 Oct 43
Weather clear and warm. MV Skeena Maid arrived from Namu and left with mail and personnel of forty eights. Nothing unusual to report. #9 CMU men are waiting for compressor to drill antennae holes.
9 Oct 43
Weather clear and warm. S/L McNeil APM, F/L Gilbert command security guard officer & F/O Wilson DAPM Bella Bella arrived to inspect station defences. Guard shack was completed only this morning & personnel working on wire entanglements & fire range. Departed by Stranraer about three o'clock.
10 Oct 43
Weather cloudy & overcast with some rain. Everything proceeding normally. Work is being done - cleaning up the camp & levelling off some ground. Nothing unusual to report. MV Skeena Maid did not return again today.
11 Oct 43
Weather cloudy and overcast with some showers. MV Jaeger over from Bella Bella with mail and supplies. P/O Hann radio officer & PW Pickard YMCA representative came over to visit detachment. Jaeger returned almost immediately. Show in canteen in evening. Ida Lupino in "The Hard Way".
12 Oct 43
Weather cloudy & overcast with some rain. Everything proceeding normally. Equipment working very well & RT communications improving.
13 Oct 43
Weather cloudy in morning & clearing in afternoon. Stranraer over about noon bringing F/L Rayner, padre from Bella Bella to see personnel & hold service. MV Skeena Maid arrived late afternoon bringing compressor to drill antennae holes. F/L Rayner held service at 7 o'clock which was attended by over twenty people. He then returned to Bella Bella on Skeena Maid. Discussion group held another meeting in canteen directly after service. Aircraft which brought padre dislodged buoy when taking off & it sank in deep water.
14 Oct 43
Weather clear and warm becoming overcast in afternoon. MV Skeena Maid arrived from Bella Bella with rations and supplies, and departed for Namu. Show in rec hall in evening "Dr Broadway".