FROM 49-16 Public Information Division FOR RELEASE UNITED STATES COAST GUARD 14 November, 1948 Washington 25, D. C.

UNITED STATES COAST GUARD BERING SEA PATROL

The Coast Guard Cutter Northwind, sturdy veteran of polar regions star performer, according to sea lore, because of her daring performance spearheading both the 1946 Arctic Expedition "Operation Nanook" and 1946-47 Antarctic "Operation High Jump", has recently returned to Seattle, Washington from a four-month patrol of the Bering Sea and waters contiguous to the Arctic Ocean. The patrol carried the Northwind to Point Barrow, that northernmost reach of our Arctic possessions, where on 23 July shorefast ice still clung and the Northwind anchored in the lee of a grounded field of polar ice. The duties of the patrol were manifold and, in a sense, complex. Aimed toward increasing logistic service to Coast Guard aids-to-navigation outposts in the Aleutians, its contribution toward morale at those numerous isolated units through the replenishment of food stocks, general stores, fuel and that most important of all mail delivery, is not hard to understand. The patrol was charged with assisting the cannery fleet and other shipping and with assisting other Federal in law enforcement. Traveling aboard the Northwind from 14 May until 4 June was the famous “Floating Court” headed by District Judge Joseph Kehoe. The Court Cruise is an annual affair, keeps a tight schedule and covers an extensive itinerary. The “Floating Court” boarded the Northwind at Seward, Alaska. While engaged in routine travel the Northwind transported the Harvard Expedition, led by Dr. McLaughlin of the Peabody Museum, from Adak to Amlia Island. This group of scientists were off to make ethnological studies concerning the origin and migration of Aleuts and other tribes. Traveling aboard the Northwind were Drs. Price and Braye, of the U. S. Public Health Service, who treated natives ashore and aboard ship and rendered medical and dental care to Government personnel located at the many outposts visited. The fact that at one native village over 250 dental and medical cases required treatment bears out the claim that at some locales the Public Health Service doctors worked “the clock around”. Also transported aboard the Northwind to and from points in Alaska were Territorial Nutritionists, Alaska Native Service Welfare workers, Army Navy, and Air Force personnel Dr. Irvin Newell, Marine Biologist, ONR, Dr. George A. Dale, Director of Education, ANS. Father Cunningham and the schoolmaster at Little Diomede were evacuated by the Northwind, dense fog having made evacuation by air impossible. Hydrographic and oceanographic studies of Alaskan and nearby waters were also conducted by the Northwind. Resumption of the yearly patrols of this northern area by the U. S. Coast Guard are anticipated.