[Blue Dolphin Labrador Expedition Reel 2--Bill and Tad Stahl Films] Reel 27

Date1949

Can Descriptions#2

Can Descriptions[R]eel II Sailing in a fair breeze and a beautiful day bound for St. Anthony, Newfoundland. Blue Dolfin shows her yachting origin even after drastic refitting for the Northern voyage. This was one of the best sailing days we had. Harbor at St. Anthony with typical NF fishing schooners. Headquarters of the Grenfell Mission with a large hospital, shops, stores and playgrounds run by the Mission. Making a run with the B-T Bathythermograph which plots temperature versus depth on a smoked glass slide and aids in the plotting of ocean currents, It is carried on an outrigger with its own winch, and requires great care in handling. Still working to get the ship in top condition – Otto Halvorsen lashes wooden ratlines to the main shrouds. Henry McKean swings the wet-and-dry bulb thermometer for a relative humidity reading enroute to the […] oceanographic station. Dick Backus, Biologist exhibits a jar of microscopic sea animals and a fine growth of beard. Art Harrington carves during an idle moment. The whaling steamer of the Hawke Harbor whaling station with several whales in tow. More of this in a moment. On station in St. Lewis Sound, Neil MacArthur sketches topography from the afterdeck. The otter trawl in set and hauled aboard to Pack’s Harbor, tightly filled with Labrador fishing schooners and a beautiful sheltered anchorage for a fine evening. Nick Dean jigs for cod. Turnavik, at the entrance to Kaipokokfjord, once a great fishing community and base for Peary’s Roosevelt, now reduced to a single family barely able to survive. We are moored fore and aft[…] and safe here from any blow. It seems impossible that the Roosevelt, twice the size of the Blue Dolfin could have been moored comfortably in this tiny anchorage. We are paid a visit by the mail boat, well over a week out of St. John’s, N.F. The Grenfell Mission hospital ship Maraval, Floating dispensary and […] the only contact for may natives with the outside world. She is beautifully equipped and expertly staffed, and on this voyage […] carried one passenger – Life photographer George Silk whose article on Labrador appeared later in the year. Hopedale – one of the last predominantly white settlements. On the Northward voyage fishermen visit the Maraval by boat as she is moored off the settlemtn. An outlying island which serves as a landmark for fishermen. Student assistant shows a great growth of beard to the camera. The Maraval stops again to receive patients on the way Northward to Nain. Great excitement attended our arrival here, including a square dance. US. Survey vessel Tanner encountered in the vicinity of Cape Porcupine engaged in charting the surrounding waters. Helicopter employed to get men and materials moved about with ease – a far cry from the days when the last British Admiralty charts of the area were made in 1870. Treated to showings of current movies, ice cream and showers which were really appreciated. Met Bob Watson of Danbury on board – small world. Lost our heavy anchor – many attempts to drag for it were unsuccessful. Inporvised buoy was tied in by the Tanner so that location is exactly known. turn up a new variety of fish – one of the most important finds the expedition. Dredge haul in washed and examined, sorted for storage. A mess of trout is turned up by a shore party in a nearby stream. Good eating Still in St. Lewis Sound – black fly island, accurately named. Williams cabin for fishing. Proceeding North from St. Lewis Sound to Hawke Harbor Crew relaxes on the foredeck Dick Backus and First Mate Reggie Wilcox make a fish trap. Whaling station at Hawke Harbor, headquarters at Leith, Scotland. Whales are towed in by the whaling steamer and moored at buoys in the harbor, later towedc ashore and hauled up by big steam winches. Cutting operation begins immediately, deadly efficient business in which a 40-80 foot whale can be completely disposed of in something less than an hour. Fascinating to watch the men work with knives like hockey sticks continually sharpened. Can picture the color but can’t possibly imagine the smell that rises on a hot day from thousands of gallons of boiling whale oil. Village of Cartwright, up the coast from Hawke Harbor – one of the most beautiful locations, a typical scene as the anchor is lowered and vessel made fast for the night. A typical Northern sunset while anchored peacefully in Cutthroat Harbor on the voyage from Hopedale to Naine. Approaching Nain – Eskimo capital of Labrador – a lovely village surrounded by hight bluffs at the head of the Nain Archipelago. Trees are preserved as a public park.