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Under authority Commander, Bering Sea Patrol Force letter 14 August, 1936 (611-601-64) reference Headquarters dispatch
6013-1702 (August) received aboard Miss Isobel Hutchinson of Edinburgh, Scotland, a British Botanist for transportation from Unalaska to Attu and return.

Miss Isobel Hutchinson obtained numerous botanical specimens.

The following dispatch was received from the Commander Bering Sea Patrol Force:
"6017 Proceed at daylight to Akutan whaling station confer with the Superintendent Kugler relative to men who left schooner Louise in Bristol Bay twenty-one August in dory against master's orders for Akutan. One man hast just arrived Akutan exhausted other man somewhere on Akutan Island where boat landed nine days ago. Kugler will furnish natives to assist you in search for missing man last seen four days ago by his partner. Enroute inspect wreck of whaler Westport on rocks at Reef Bight Akutan. Render such assistance as may be practicable, also make arrangements with Kugler to transport shipwrecked crew of Westport to Seattle about twenty-nine September. 2118"

While anchoring sent Monomay surfboat to whaling station, which returned at 8:45 with Mr. Kugler of the whaling station and the seaman mention in Comberseapatfor 6017-2118 as having saved himself by making his way to the whaling station at 1930 last night (Wednesday). Conferred with both these persons as to the best means of rescuing the missing man, Axel Olson. Also made arrangement to take the S. S. Westfort survivors aboard for transportation to Seattle about 29 September.

The following information was obtained as to the case at hand: Armand Gicquel, an alien French fisherman, residing generally in Seattle, and Axel Olson, whose only known address is care of Union Fish Company, San Francisco, members of the crew of the American Schooner Louise, left that vessel in Bristol Bay, Bering Sea, 19 August, 1936. The approximate position of the schooner at that time was 35 miles north of Bechevin Bay. Gicquel stated that they bought an 18 ft dory from the master, and with about two week's supply of food and water, two outboard motors and 27 gallons of gasoline, a small box of tools, and a steamship folder for a map they stated in good weather for Unalaska. When asked why they had no obtained aid from the cutter which they said had given them mail, the day before Gicquel replies that they didn't want to bother the cutter commander. The weather was smooth and they believed they could do better in the dory than by remaining on the schooner until reaching the pass. Thus lowered and equipped, they left the schooner on a SSW course. Two or three days later, the wind came up from the SE and it became necessary to dump over the gasoline to lighten the craft. They also lost other gear, including their compass, matches and the steamship folder map. After nineteen days they sighted, at 5:00 in the morning of 7 September, an island to the eastward, which fits the description of Tostok Island. They sighted the island and finally landed on the southern side. Here they found a few berries, but no water. By this time all food had been consumed except a little flour that had grown moldy and a strip of bacon. Realizing that they must leave or starve thirst they waited three days for the sea to moderate, then pushed off for land which they could see to the northwestward. After twenty four hours of pulling and sailing with sails improvised from flour sacks and old canvas, they landed through a bad surf at Green Bight, Akutan Island, stoving in the dory as they beached. They were in ignorance of the name of the island or of the part of the island upon which they landed. They found berries in quantity and drinking

water. The country seemed to them impassable except to the northward, and so their best chance appeared to be along the sea coast rather than inland they decided to get away when the weather permitted. After a week of delay and after several unsuccessful attempts to launch the dory they became disheartened. Olson had become lethargic and had to be assisted to his feet in the mornings; Gicquel still had hope. A dead flouncie (?) was found on the beach - each at half. Finally, on the afternoon of 14 September, Gicquel stated he was going inland, that there was a lake he had seen and from which he might get either fish of duck. His companion would neither accompany him nor answer him, but turned his back to collect a few berries. Gicquel did not see him again. After a while, the Frenchman discovered a trail which led him to a grave and shortly to a small shack near the lake. He hastened back to give the good news to his companion, and although he was gone but two or three hours, Olson could not be found. Gicquel returned to the shack, coming back the next morning to search for Olson, but without success. And so Gicquel lived until 17 September, when he happened to climb a nearby hill and sight the beacon light of Akutan harbor. He now, for the first time, knew his position, for he had often entered the harbor on fishing vessels. With tremendous exertion for one so weakened he made the whaling station at 1930 the same day. He arrived in an exhausted and incoherent state.

As a result of the conference, decided to land a searching party as near Akun Strait as possible, to be gone until 1600 tomorrow, Friday, in charge of Ensign Opp. Put over the motor surfboat, equipped with portable radio and in charge of Boatswain Van de Vander. Equipped the party with two days rations, emergent camping equipment, and whistles and guns for attracting attention. The native village chief and the doctor belonging to the whaling station accompanied the party as volunteers, being well acquainted with the locality. Enlisted personnel of shore detail were Carl Emerson, BM2c, Leonard Campbell, Coxswain; and Charles Chiswell, E.M. 3c. Boat left ship at 10:20 and returned after landing them at 11:40.
...
Received as a destitute and shipman and seaman Armand Gicquel, generally residing in Seattle, and issued him a ration under authority Article 21354, Regulations.

Motor surfboat returned with the whaling station doctor and native from the searching party, and were sent ashore. The search party of which Ensign C. M. Opp is in charge remained on the Island one night in order to renew search in morning for the missing fisherman Olson.

Search party of four men, Ensign J. P. White in charge left the ship in motor surfboat to resume search for the missing fisherman Axel Olson. Armand Gicquel, the fisherman received on board, accompanied the party. The Enlisted men of the party were De Loyd Oliphant (107-954) Y 2c, Bill Wainwright (110-666), MM 2c and Fred E. Sindars (217-339) Sea 2c.

Motor surf boat departed with Boatswain Van de Vander in charge to pick up searching parties.

Received message from the motor surfboat that the searching party had found the body of Axel Olsen, had picked up the searching party consisting of Ensign J. P. White, De Loyd C. Oliphant (107-954) Y 2c, Bill Wainwright (110-666) MM 2c, Fred E. Sindars (217-339( Sea 2c, Dr. T. Darling and native Chief, Mark Petikof from the whaling station and one other native from Akutan Village; also Armand Gicquel. The party consisting of Ensign C. M. Opp, Carl Ericsson (103-330) BM 2c, Leonard Campbell (101-707) Cox and Charles C. Chiswell (217-100) EM 3c were left ashore with the body of Olsen as surf conditions made landing impossible.

1700
The motor surfboat returned to the ship and was hoisted. Mr. Kugler of the whaling station came aboard at the request of the Commanding Officer for a conference.

The following facts of today's search were learned: on leaving the ship this morning, the party picked up Dr. Darling and Mark Petikof, native Chief, at the whaling station, and one other native at the village. On landing, the party proceeded to the position of the beached dory in Green Bight, then searched the beach in the general vicinity. Ensign Opp was contacted and it was learned that his party had found the rubber boat belonging to Olsen, about 1/4 mile inland from the dory. Armand Gicquel identified the boat as belonging to Olsen. The two parties then combined, and totaling 12 men radiated out in all directions from the spot where the boats were found. Olsen's body was discovered by Dr. T. Darling about 1/4 mile further inland, or about 1/2 mile inland from the beached dory. It was the opinion of the doctor that the man had been dead from exposure for about two days.

The position of the finding of the body as shown on Chart 8860, C.&G.S. is 54^o 06' 45''North latitude and 165^o 41' 00" West longitude.

The personal belongings of Olsen consisting of clothing and an outboard motor will be picked up by tomorrow's party which will conduct the burial of Olsen's body in the vicinity where he was found.
...
Dr. T. Darling issued the death certificate in the case of Axel Olsen. Issued one ration of medicinal liquor to boat crew and to search party.

During the night constructed a grave marker of oak in the form of a cross with the following inscription punched on a brass plate: quote,
AXEL OLSEN late of the American Schooner San Francisco, died September 18, 1936.

Motor surfboat left ship to land party consisting of Ensign J. P. White, Hypolite J. Bocny (101-146), CQM, Loyd R. Graham (217-259) Sea 1c, Lester C. Morris (217-344) Sea 2c, George F. Bettis (217-337) Sea 2c, Robert Isaacs (115-710) Sea 1c., Victor Allison (217-166) Sea 1c., Lester L. Smith, Sea 2c. and Armand Gicquel (civilian). Party was equipped with articles necessary to perform burial of Axel Olsen, deceased, including grave marker of oak with brass inscription plate. Party to be landed on southern side of Akutan Harbor.

Motor surfboat departed to get members of searching party with Boatswain Van de Vanter in charge.

Motor surfboat returned to the ship with all the members of the party which left the ship this morning, also Ensign C. M. Opp; Carl Ericsson (103-330) BM 2c; Leonard Campbell (101-707) Cox and Charles C. Chiswell (217-100) EM 3c who were on the island since Friday, 18 September, 1936.
The following events relating to the burial of Axel Olsen occurred ashore: the party dug a grave in the vicinity of the spot where the body was found in the position Latitude 54[sup[]o[/sup] 06' 43"N, longitude 165^o 41' 00" West as noted in the log for September 18. Carl Colleen, BM 2c sewed the body in a canvas shroud as it was impossible to pack a coffin over the rugged terrain. Ensign Opp held burial services for the deceased. The grave marker constructed on board the ship last night was placed at the head of the grave. The pary then returned to the ship with the personal belongings of both Armand Gicquel and the late Olsen.

The following personal property of Olsen was received aboard preceding disposition: 1 sheepskin coat, 1 out board motor, 1 cheap pocket watch (westclox), 1 shirt (combray), 1 pr woolen socks, 1 pr shoes, 1 oilskin pants. The motor surfboat left six life preservers ashore at the landing which will be picked up tomorrow. Issued one ration of medicinal liquor to boat crew and to the parties who were ashore in connection with the burial.

Sighted the wreck of the steam whaler WESTPORT. The wreck appeared to have been driven farther in on the reef by recent storms. Hull is now entirely under water with one mast showing pointed toward shore at an angle of seventy (70) degrees from the vertical. Mast appeared attached only loosely to the hull and was moving freely and quickly with every sea.

Armand Gicquel, a French alien, left the vessel.

Sent to DAPHNE for further transfer to San Francisco Division, two (2) boxes of effects of AXEL OLSON, deceased, on Government Bill of Lading #T-221614.