TIIE CR UISE (GHROlTOLOGICAL). 



The cruise of the CHELAIJ in 1934 v/as in accordance ¥/ith the policy 

 of the government in assigning Coaat Guard cutters to the Bering Sea for 

 patrol duty. The Coast Guard has played an integral part in the develop- 

 raent of Alaska. The logbooks of its cutters contain the oarly history 

 of that country. Southern and southeastern iuLaska are constantly associ- 

 ated with the service as ships are stationed in Ketchikan, Junoau, Cordova 

 and Sc?;ard hut western and northv;ostorn Alaska gro ..ts the cutters in the 

 spring and bids them adiou in the Fall. As suroly as in each Spring the 

 sun returns to broak the ice fetters th.:.t shackle the lakes, the rivers 

 and the soa, so the Coast Guard Gutter IJOKTEILiiND wohds its way from its 

 base in Seattle toward the Arctic to take up its -suniaer base off ■,g., :o. 

 And so as the saliaon return each Spring toward the streams of their nativity, 

 as the i'liany migrant birds each year again seek their nesting grounds in 

 the marshes and in the waters of the million streams of Alaska and as the 

 seals begin their annual trek to their summer home on the Pribilof Islands 

 in the Bering Sea to the patrol cutters, especially the CHSLAII class, 

 point their bows towai'd their base at Unalaska to take up the seal and 

 fishery patrol, lav/ enforcement, assistance and lifosaving dutios around 

 the Pribilof Islands and along the Aljutiau Isla}id,s, 



Alaska is a large country. If its map wore placed on the mup of the 

 United States a portion of its northern border would touch on tho Canadian 

 border, its eastern edge v/ould touch the Atlantic ocean, its southern 

 boundary Y/ould rest on the Mczican dj. vision lino and its xYcstern most 

 islands would touch the Pacific ocean. Its coast line is ubout 26,000 

 miles. Its area is 13 times ao largo ao 2Tow York; 500 times -s l-:rgc as 

 Rhode Island; one fifth the oize of the United States, covering generally 

 the areas of Maine, New iiampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Pihode Island, 

 Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia, 

 North Carolina, South Caroliiia, Georgia, Florida, Mississippi and Tennessee. 



In the Bering Soa and the waters surrounding Alaska are found cod- 

 fish. Halibut, salmon, mackerel, herring, crabs and other shell fish, 

 whale, seals (fur and hair), sea lion and walrus. Its islands are the 

 hoi'nes of foxes, caribou, reindeer and sheep. 



The CHELAN was based at Unalaska, the largest city in the iileutian 

 Islands situated 55 miles from Unimak Pass, the gateway to the Bering Sea, 

 about 150 miles from the transpacific steaiTier lanes and about 1750 miles from 

 Seattle. The Aleutian Islands, discovered by Ohirikof . .imd Bering in 1741, 

 jut out boldly from the coast of Alaska extending far into tho Pacific 

 Ocean for a distance of about 900 miles to the westward, 



Unalaska is one of the prettiest places in the North. The first 

 Greek Russian church erected in the territory is foiind here. It is filled 

 with paintings and ornate tapestries, Dutch Harbor being at the horid of 

 a landlocked bay and surrounded by rounded fertile hills is a half a mile 

 •from Unalaska. This combination makes it one of the most strategic points 



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