April 1, 1946 Eastern Aleutian Is. Tsunami - Scotch Cap, Unimak I. Narrative
Passage from Sanford (1946):
"LOG OF COAST GUARD UNIT NUMBER 368, SCOTCH CAP DF STATION RELATING TO THE SCOTCH CAP LIGHT STATION TRAGEDY OF 1946
1 APRIL 1946
0130 - Severe earthquake felt. Building rocked severly. Objects shaken from
locker shelves. Duration approx. 30-40 seconds. Building creaked and groaned,
but no apparent damage. Weather clear and calm.
0157 - Second severe quake felt. Shorter in duration but harder than 0130.
Duration 15-20 seconds. Again no apparent damage although buildings were shook
severely.
0218 - Terrific roaring from ocean heard, followed almost immediately by
terrific sea, top of which rose above cliff and struck station, causing
considerable damages. Water in building, crew ordered to higher ground of DP
(low frequency direction finder) building. Attempted to send message of
condition but no answer to calls. Broadcast following message about 011325 GCT.
Exact time not noted on 2072. PP NMJ NNA NNF NXD. Tidal wave-may have to
abandon this place. Beleive NNHK lost, inter. RXXX, no answer. (Later found
RCVG antenna carried away). Generator running erratically, and not enough power
to operate TBL-13.
0245 - Forced to secure power as switchboard is afire. CO2 used and fire
extinguished. (Scotch Cap Light Station beleived lost. Light extinguished and
horn silent).
0300 - Gathering emergency stores and clothing to DP building. Called crew back
as sea is apparently abating, to get more clothing and canned goods. Emergency
lights rigged and carrying clothing and supplies to DP building.
0345 - Sea seems to be moderating. Still no wind but clouding up. Heavy
roaring from ocean, but seems to be quieting down. Scotch Cap L.S., completely
washed away. All hands, total loss.
0346 - Another short sharp tremor.
0400 - Cleaning up generator room and switchboard.
0551 - Power restored one engine, switchboard pumped out and transmitted 011730
to NNA. Rogered for it OK.
0700 - Looking over hill to light station again. Debris strewn along beaches.
Found what was apparently human intestines on hill by water tank. Much
debris.
0725 - Plane approached from eastward and circled station. Attempted contact on
3105, but no reply. Was informed that Cape Sarichef heard.
0800 - Various tremors continued, some slight, some moderately heavy. Watch in
control only. Numerous messages and reconditions. Plane came over and surveyed
damages. Second plane circled station and blinked "do you need help" answered
negative and established contact on 4742.5khz. Crew catching naps and carrying
blankets, etc. to DP building.
1300 - Numerous shocks felt. Two heavy ones. Lookouts posted to watch sea.
Two planes circled station. Made message withdrawing from net due to emergency
power required control and transmitters. Received message from NNB (Attu)
securing as per naval orders. Making preparations for the night. Heat and
water temporarily restored. Water main still broken by cliff.
1800 - Few slight tremors, sea normal. Slight SE swell and swell sea. Rain and
foggy. vis. 1/2 mile. Lookout posted at seaward side of building with
instructions to give immediate alarm of any unusual sounds from ocean. Fire
watch also posted in engine room.
2400 - Some crew members chose to sleep in DF building, nearly all hands have
been awake for 24 hours. Radio newscasts indicate tidal waves experienced or
expected over wide area and information intercepted on 4742.5khz (Army Airways
circuit) that numerous places being evacuated as safety measures.
(Signed) H.B. Sanford CRE
Note: Ususually low water level, even at periods of high tides. Newscasts
indicate tremendous fissure in bottom of Gulf of Alaska possibly accounting for
low tides.
CGC Cedar and CGC Clover proceding to Scotch Cap to assist. Pitts, who called
S.C.L. Station when first quake felt says that Pickering stated deck was raised.
Whether crew had attempted to evacuate and were caught by wave or were trapped
inside is not known. (My personal belief is that they were still inside
building).
Light station personnel: Petit Antoine CBM (O in C)
Pickering Leonard MoMM2c
Dykstra Dewey S1c
Ness Paul J. S1c
Colvin Jack F1c
Serial numbers not known."
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