Not as touching as the flu epidemic... but the Abner Coburn issue was quite peculiar
From 3rd September to 15th October 1919, Unalga is dealing with ship "Abner Coburn" in Libbyville, Kvichak Bay area and then Unalaska.
Crewmembers, employees of Libby, McNeil & Libby cannery, were refusing to get aboard ship in order to make return voyage to Seattle, claiming she was not seaworthy.
After several days spent in Naknek, it's agreed the ship will be towed by Unalga up to Unalaska.
There, Unalga wait almost a month, before most of the Coburn crew is embarked on steamer Victoria heading to Seattle.
On
3 September 1919 radiogram is received requesting Unalga assistance in Kvichak Bay:
9:00am to 4:00pm :-
...
3:25 Received following radiogram "Proceed soon as possible to Kvichak and take such action as circumstances warrant to assist cannery people reestablish order and move catch acknowledge 11103. Coast Guard"
4:00pm to Mid :-
...
11:58 sent following radiogram "Coast Guard, Washington. 11103 - 16103. Dodge"
On
4 September 1919 Unalga gets underway:
9am to Merid.
9:10 Left wharf at Unalaska and stood various courses out Unalaska bay.
...
9:30 Sent following radiogram to Coast Guard headquarters Washington DC "Unalga Sailed for Kvichak Bay 9am Sept 4th" Signed Dodge
On
6 September 1919 Unalga arrives in Kvichak Bay:
8am to 4pm -
...
Stood various courses up Kvichak Bay to mouth of Naknek River where at 12:46 anchored ...
1:05 Tug "Arnold G" came alongside and a board consisting of Senior Captain F.G. Dodge, Captain W.K. Thompson, Lieutenant G.W. MacLane and Lieutenant C.E. Anderson proceeded to the ship "Abner Coburn", of San Francisco, anchored nearby, for the purpose of surveying her to determine her seaworthlyness.
2:30 board returned; the results of the survey of the "Coburn" were as follows: Rigging and running gear, all right; ground tackle and head gear, all right; frames timbers and beams, sound; fore peak and bilges dry, showed no appearance of having ever been wet; pumps washed by either gas engine, or steam engine, at will; last pumped out fuly 15th, pumps sucked at 7 1/2 inches; at 2:05pm on September 6th, 9 inches of water in the bilges; she carrys 8 boats with a capacity of 43 men each and 3 boats with a capacity of 10 each, making a total boat capacity of 374 men; total number of crew and passengers, 320 souls.
4pm to Mid - ...
6:30 Senior Captain F.G. Dodge and Captain W.K. Thompson accompained by Lieutenant C.E. Anderson went ashore to interview fishermen, cannery workers and the crew of the "Abner Coburn".
On
7 September 1919 Unalga officers interviewing fishermen:
9:00am to 4:00pm :-
...
11:50 Commanding officer and other officers returned having interviewed fishermen, leaving Lieutenant C.E. Anderson at the cannery to keep the commanding Officer informed by radio as to conditions. It was ascertained at a mass meeting of the fishermen and a major portion of the Orientals gang that these men would not leave for the states, except on a steamer and upon their own assertion that they would submit to arrest and imprisonment rather than proceed otherwise than indicated above. Furthermore, that, to date, these men have committed no overt act against the cannery, except in that they refused to proceed aboard the "Abner Coburn".
On
8 September 1919 radiogram received from Headquarters:
4PM to Mid
...
6:20 Received following radiogram Coast Guard Headquarters. Radio Coast Guard Cutter Unalga Cordova Alaska. 14007 Headquarters concurs your opinion and has taken matter up with Libbyville company along these lines in Manintaining [sic] order and do anything within reason to clear situation 13008. Coast Guard.
On
10 September 1919 Abner Coburn is checked again:
9:00am to 4:00pm :-
...
10:40 two members of the Board for Survey of the "Abner Coburn", repaired on board that vessel and sounded bilges. There were 9 3/4 inches of water, a gain of one quarter of one inch since 2:05pm September 6, 1919, the pumps not having been used between these dates. The vessel during this time has been anchored in a tideway and a South East gale blowing with choppy weather.
Commanding Officer went ashore to investigate condition at Libbyville.
On
11 September 1919 a first proposal is refused:
9AM to 4PM
...
4:00 Commanding officer this vessel returned on board. Sent following Radiogram Coast Guard Headquarters. Coast Guard, Washington. Conditions at Libbyville the same. Have had three more conferences with crew of Coburn and cannery hands offered to tow Coburn to Unalaska and take sixty of the men on the Unalga all I could take if balance of them would go aboard Coburn as for as Unalaska and then to be taken from Unalaska to Seattle by steamer, but they Absolutely refused the men are quiet and orderly but firm in their decision not to go on board the Coburn and not to leave here except on a steamer shall await further instructions #17311
On
12 September 1919 a little accident with a cannery tender:
4pm to Mid -
...
4:45 Cannery tender "Haller" came alongside and the commanding officer went ashore to investigate conditions at Libbyville.
A wicker fender, which had been placed between the ship's side and the "Haller" rolled over the wardroom airport between frames numbers 66 and 67 on the starboard side, breaking the airport glass and pushing in the upper part of the plate about 1/2 or 3/4 of an inch; lost the fender over board.
On
13 September 1919 92 cannery men are carried aboard Unalga (ugh, crew list is gonna be quite huge this month):
4:00pm to Mid :-
...
Commanding Officer returned on board at 6:20 after 23 hours conference with disaffected sailors and cannery employees of Libby, McNeil & Libby, at Libbyville.
The following men composed of crew of "Abner Coburn", fishermen, and beachgang men, employed by Libby, McNeil and Libby, at Libbyville, came on board for passage to Unalaska
Paul Molino - F. Aliano - P. Algere - P. Patterson - J. Sisto - P. Santamarie -
J. Molino - A. Sangiomino - J. Locastro - Paul Pappas - E. Johnson - J. Kekois - J. Janson
F. Camba - B. Roublado - S. Pulicano - D. Pugliese - F. Elo - J. Lagus - J. Jackson
E. Imeroni - S. Colombo - D. Severaie - G. Campagna - A. Enoksen - E. Madsen - J. Winthis
R. Lo Porto - L. Manescalco - G. Hendrison - J. Bassani - J. Felice - H. Selenius - A. Anderson
G. Fantero - A. Fisio - A. Lazzro - M. Iannuzzi - F. Norberg - F. Naki - G. Mirmi -
Ch. Alia - P. Mondello - F. Binisimis - J. Iannuzzi - J. Hanhela - H. Wuodila - C. Oster -
N. Bertino - L. Montablano - A. Olsen - J. Bellege - G. Johnson - R. Lae - J. Johnson
E. Angelo - J. Zammaritano - J. Wilson - J. Schovler - G. Helin - F. Martin - C. Nelson
S. Rappa - J. Meno - S. Karas - E. Pappas - P. Baclurina - K. Baclurina -
O. Demiano - A. Lucedo - G. Palas - P. Pappas - J. Mint - A. Balsted - M. Konvidsos
J. Vaccarino - J. Giamboni - B. Johnson - S. Pappas - J. Pahis - M. Frank - C. Kolas
J. Bulgario - P. Velliotis - G. Puhakka - A. Mimen - J. Urjale - J. Amglio - L. Castello -
G. Tenison - G. Stralnak - Jim Granourey -
The balance of men were placed on board of the "Abner Coburn", this vessel to tow "Abner Coburn" to Unalaska.
All except monthly men to be sent to Seattle from Unalaska at expense of Libby, McNeil & Libby.
Lieutenant C.E. Anderson detailed for duty on "Abner Coburn" until arrival at Unalaska to represent Commanding Officer and to preserve order.
On
14 September 1919 Unalga waits all day for Coburn to be ready for getting towed to Unalaska:
Mid to 9:00am :-
...
waiting for "Abner Coburn" to clear her chains and get her anchors
9AM to 4PM
...
Naknek, Alaska. Sept 14, 1919. Unalga. From: Medical Officer To: Commanding Officer. Subject: Report, Sickness of Captain T.G. Lewton, (Chief Engineer). 1. Captain T.G. Lewton has been partially incapacitated from performing his daily duties as Chief Engineer since September, 2 1919 account of arthritis of joints in right foot and great toe. 2. probable will be partially incapacitated for the next four or five days. F.H. Johnson Ass't Surgeon, USPHS.
Waiting for Coburn to single up her anchor and recieve tow line.
On
15 September 1919 towing operations begin:
Mid to 8AM
...
6:30 Up anchor and under way standing various courses for ship Abner Coburn, standing to wind ward to pass ten inch hawser which when passed made fast to her starboard cable
7:45 droped [sic] anchor to let Abner Coburn get in her port anchor
8am to Merid -
...
8:20 underway with "Abner Coburn" in tow, standing various courses down Kvichak Bay; order steam on after boiler as full speed on one boiler barely afforded steerage way.
8:40 steam formed in after boiler;
9:10 cut in after boiler; full speed on both boilers, not to exceed 20 tons of coal per day.
There follows a copy of a letter: "Naknek, Alaska, September 15, 1919. From: Medical Officer. To: Commanding Officer. Subject: Report Captain T.G. Lewton (CE), to duty. 1. Captain T.G. Lewton having recovered sufficiently from an attack of Arthritis is this date taken from the sick list and report him for active duty. F.H. Johnson".
Watch ends standing various courses down Kvichak Bay, full speed both boilers, "Abner Coburn" in tow.
On
17 September 1919 Unalga arrives at Unalaska. Lieut Carl E. Anderson returns aboard:
8PM to Mid
...
Stood various courses into Iliuliuk Bay with Abner Coburn in tow
6:15 Slowed down Abner Coburn droping her port anchor then unshackled this vessel towing hawser this vessel then proceeding to an anchorage
6:50 came to anchor in Unalaska harbor in 10 fathoms of water to 30 fathoms port chain.
...
7:40 Lieut. C.E. Anderson came aboard and resumed his duties.
On
18 September 1919 one of the Abner Coburn men got sick with bronchitis, 92 people remain aboard Unalga waiting for arrangements:
9am to 4pm -
...
J. Wilson, one of the passengers from Libbyville, sick with bronchitis; opened up hospital building and installed him therein.
Ship's surgeon furnished medical assistance to one of the crew of the cannery tender "George F. Haller" which anchored in the harbor at 3:15.
4pm to Mid -
...
Crew of "Abner Coburn" and beach gang kept on board this vessel until arrangements can be made to quarter them on shore.
On
20 September 1919 USS Saturn agrees to pick up naval employees residing in Dutch Harbor to make space for Coburn crew:
9am to 4pm.
...
11:00 Commanding Officer called Official on Commanding Officer USS Saturn. #
# and confered with him in regards to moving naval personel and employees Quartered in hotel at Dutch harbor, So that crew of "Coburn" fishermen and beach gang on this vessel might be moved there
the Commanding Officer agreed to have naval employees aboard by 5pm.
So that transport of Men could be made from this vessel tomorrow.
On
21 September 1919 Coburn crew is finally quartered in hotel at Dutch Harbor:
* 9:30 Transfered 92 men, employes of Libby, McNeil & Libby, Transported on this vessel from Libbyville, to Hotel at Dutch Harbor with all their baggage and quartered them there at the expense of Libby McNeil & Libby
On
22 September 1919 Coburn is checked:
9am to 4pm -
...
1:00 The executive officer and the ship's surgeon made an inspection of the mexican and chinese quarters on the "Abner Coburn" to determine the state of the sanitation, food supply, messing facilities and the alleged back of washing facilities.
4pm to Mid -
...
7:00 Lieutenant C.E. Anderson went aboard the "Abner Coburn" as the representative of the commanding officer, to preserve order among the men quartered on the vessel.
On
24 September 1919 CO must go Dutch Harbor to talk with Coburn men:
9AM to 4PM
...
12:30 Commanding officer this vessel left for Dutch Harbor to adjust difficulties of men on board Abner Coburn of Libby, McNeil & Libby
2:50 Commanding Officer this vessel returned on board having adjusted difficulties of the men on board Abner-Coburn
On
29 September 1919 Unalga received notice of an uprising on Coburn:
4:00pm to Mid :-
...
4:50 Captain Thompson accompanied by Gunner Greene and eight men from this vessel, all armed with automatic pistols and provided with irons, left for ship "Abner Coburn" to suppress, and investigate an uprising among those on board, to arrest all instigators and participants in the uprising and to search for and confiscate all weapons on board.
7:45 Captain Thompson, Gunner Greene and party of eight men returned to the ship from "Abner Coburn". Amado Casarez, of the "Abner Coburn", was placed in custody of US Deputy Marshal, Unalaska, for assault, with a dangerous weapon, upon the body of a Mexican fisherman.
Another arrest for Coburn crew on
30 September 1919:
9AM to 4PM
...
Ramon Garcia arrested on board Abner Coburn for assault with dangerous weapon, taken to jail at Unalaska and put in custody of US Deputy Marshal Unalaska.
On
11 October 1919 Coburn's confiscated items are dealt with:
9:00am to 4:00pm :-
...
Delivered to Superintendent Libby, McNeill and Libby all butcher knives, cleavers, hatchets, hammers, (the property of the Company) also all pocket-knives and razors, the pocket-knives and razors to be given to those from whom they were taken on arrival at Seattle, Washington.
The balance of articles taken from these men came under section No. 1997, Laws of the Territory of Alaska, and were confiscated and thrown overboard.
On
12 October 1919 183 men from Coburn crew (and Lieut G.W. MacLane) are boarded on steamer Victoria, bound for Seattle:
9AM to 4PM
...
At 2:00PM Steamer Victoria came to anchor in Dutch Harbor.
Commanding Officer went on board and arranged with master of Victoria for transportation of extra passengers to Seattle Washington, found that all 1st class passenger accomodations were full, only steerage and intermediate could be obtained which were unsuitable for Dr Johnson, in his present condition, so he could not be sent South.
Placed 183 dissafected cannery employes who had been quartered at Dutch Harbor and on the ship Abner Coburn on board the Victoria for passage to Seattle, Washington, their passage to be paid by Libby McNeil and Libby, all of these men absolutely refused to proceed to Seattle on the Abner Coburn
First Lieutenant G.W. McLane left the vessel and went on board Steamer Victoria for passage to Seattle Washington. Authority Headquarters radiogram #14406 dated October 9th 1919.
On
13 October 1919 Lieut C.E. Anderson returns on board from the Coburn:
9am to 4pm -
...
2:00. Lieutenant C.E. Anderson recalled from duty on ship "Abner Coburn" and resumed his duties on this vessel as all people now on board the "Coburn" are quiet and orderly and there is no further necessity of keeping an officer on board that vessel.
On
15 October 1919 finally Unalga departs for Seattle:
9AM to Merid
...
At 9:30AM the following people came on board for transportation to Seattle Wash. at no expense to the Government there being no other means of transportation.
Mr S. Applegate as guest of Commanding Officer.
At thier own request and at the request of the agent of the Alaska Commercial Company Mrs. P. Kashaveroff, Chester Kashaveroff age 8 years, Victor Kashaveroff age 6 years, Ethel Kashaveroff age 5 years, Mildred Kashaveroff age 4 years, Elinor Kashaveroff age 9 years;
Mrs Lucy Rosenberg, Miss Katy Rosenberg and Miss Sarah Morton, these people are going to Seattle, Wash. to better their condition as there is no means of support for them at Unalaska, their natural protectors having passed away during the epidemic of influenza.
The following from the ship Abner Coburn as there was no accommodations for them on the Victoria.
Dr Howard Blake, Mr G.J. Smith, Mr Ludwig Thormodsater, Mr G.W. Coombe, Mrs Coombe.
R. Martinez, N. Pierce, H. Miller, John Rodriguez, J. Gonzales and A Dominges
John P. Sousa (Insane) was received on board from the US Deputy Marshal his subsistance to be paid by the Department of Justic.
9:40 Disconnected fresh water hose all tanks filled.
9:45 Cast off and under way standing various courses out of Unalaska Harbor, called for ordinary full speed one boiler so as to get Dr F.H. Johnson to Seattle with out unnecessary delay
...
Sent following radiogram Coast Guard. Washington. Unalga sailed for Seattle ten AM October fifteenth #10415 Dodge.
Further references:
E.A. Coffin Diary:
http://library.alaska.gov/hist/hist_doc ... _37_17.pdf
Sept. 4 Pulled out for Kuichak Bay to survey some bleeding cannery ship that is leaking 3 feet of water an hour - crew refused to bring her down.
Sept. 13 Been lying off Makuck for a hundred years more or less - tomorrow we will leave for Unalaska with the "Abner Coburn" in tow, and a hundred fishermen on the Unalga. 7 P M the "Haller" came alongside with a scow load of men and we took aboard 92 Bolsheviks with their bags and bedding - some gang of cut throats!
Sept. 14 Standing by all day waiting for the "Abner Coburn" to take the turns out of her anchor chains.
Sept. 15 Picked up the "Coburn" at 8 A M and at last got started for Unalaska - ship jammed to the rails with men - heaven be praised that the Mexs and Chinks are on the "Coburn" - Andy on board her to represent U.S., don't envy him.
Sept. 22 Arrived Unalaska on 17th after a fine passage down - have got to stay here until passenger boats can take these damned Bolsheviks down to the States as they positively refuse to go on the "Coburn". We might have been well on out way home now but for them. Got night letter from Peggy last night - oh boy! Both the "Manshan" and "Saturn" in port - former is going to Seal Islands today.
Oct. 12 Some weary wait, but looks like something is going to happen at last. "Victoria" got in today and took 183 of the Bolsheviks on board - also MacLane, ordered to Washington.
Oct. 13 "Victoria" left at 4 A M - rumors of our going soon.
Oct. 15 Thank the good Lord! At last we pulled out of Unalaska at 10 A M, bound East - straight across for Flattery - coal in Seattle and get paid, then home to Frisco. Took on board furs, Kashaverof and her five kids, Applegate, the three Rosenberg girls, the two mates and the blacksmith, Coombe and his wife from the "Haller", one insane coon and six "wobblies". Fine clear day - most of the town down to see us off.
Daily Colonist 10 September 1919 (right page, fourth column):
https://archive.org/stream/dailycolonis ... 3/mode/2up
A photograph of the Abner Coburn:
http://digitalcollections.lib.washingto ... obb/id/252
Bristol Bay canneries (some splendid photographs, one with the Abner Coburn):
http://www.nps.gov/lacl/historyculture/ ... ol-Bay.pdf
The legal proceeding (some Coburn crewmembers, which wages weren't payed, suited Libby,McNeil & Libby), mentioning Unalga and Captain Dodge:
http://courts.mrsc.org/mc/courts/zwashr ... rt0148.htm