Unalaska - Dutch Harbor
Day 1 - Saturday August 22, 2015
I am in Dutch Harbor, Unlasaska. The name comes from the Aleut word "Ounalashka" which means "near the peninsula."
We boarded the Boutwell at 1200 hrs. After being taken to our living quarters (Berthing) we were meant to rally in the Wardsroom (Officer’s Mess). Dr. N was there but we lost Dr. C, I haven’t seen her since.
After getting settled in we were free to leave the ship, coming and going as we pleased. Lt. D had told me that the mountain to our right, Mount Ballyhoo, had a trail leading all the way to the top. The weather was perfect so i made my way up with my camera equipment, hoping to catch some nice views. I didn’t know what to expect and was met with a pleasant surprise. The trail led to Fort Shwatka. Perched at 897 ft above sea level on the Ulakta Head of Mount Ballyhoo it served as the home to over 1,000 U.S. Serviceman.
The fort housed several big 8-inch guns that could rotate 360 degrees on their Panama Mounts and hurl 240 pound high explosive shells up to 20 miles out to sea. Together with three other artillery positions in the pacific, Fort Schwatka formed the “Ring of Iron.”
Beyond being a site of rich history it is a site of rich natural beauty. I have never seen anything so majestic. Off in the distance were snowcapped mountains. A couple feet away, steep cliffs falling straight into the Bering Sea. Everywhere in between were small mountains with steep slopes facing Unalaska Bay. I walked my way through some of the hold shelters that were dug into the ground and climbed down into one at the very tip of the peninsula like cliff. As I made my way back to the ship I had to stop several times just to look back and take it all in again.
Makushin Volcano
I didn’t stay too long aboard and quickly made my way back to the Grand Aleutian Hotel to eat dinner and have a drink. I met a few of the crew members and eventually made my way over to "the bonfire”. It has become somewhat of a tradition for the crew on this expedition to have bonfire gatherings at remote locations on the islands they visit when they can as they make their way across the Aleutian Islands. In this case it was along the beach next to some towering cliffs. We saw curious seals pop their heads up too look our way and several hump back whales breaching the surface for air. It was a great place to meet more of the crew and get to know each other in an informal setting.
At 2230, with the sun just finally deciding to set, I made my way back to the Boutwell for my first night sleeping on the cutter.