The Wrath of Mother Nature
It was not unusual to experience damage at Pinetree Line radar stations due to high winds. What is unusual is the apparent lack of a compiled documentation that provides details indicating "what happened, where, and when". This file contains a summary of "significant" Pinetree Line radar station "wind damage" that is known, and documented, to have occurred in Senneterre, QC.
The following detail has been taken from the Historical Records of RCAF Station Senneterre.
13 July 1954
Winds up to 150 MPH in gusts experienced today. No harm was evident to the radomes.
1 July 1955
High wind storm at 1425 hours, maximum 78 MPH. Damage from trees falling across power lines.
4 July 1955
A for P raised to cover repairs to storm damage which occurred on 1 July 1955.
16 November 1960
The power mains were down to TX2 Site due to high winds. Restored two days later when two poles had to be replaced.
11 July 1961
Big thunder and lightning storm, the worst seen as yet in this part of the country. Rain was pouring and the storm lasted from 1945 hours to 2100 hours.
There is no doubt in my mind that there have been other examples of "significant" Pinetree Line "wind damage" which has taken place. As an example, I keep hearing about the Saglek situation – where their height finder was an apparent victim. This unit was located at the edge of a 1,800 foot cliff – so you can imagine the damage to any radar equipment that "went over the side". I continue to hope that some day, some one will provide some "official detail" – and then we will be able to add this occurrence to our list.
If you have any knowledge of other "significant" Pinetree Line "wind damage", please help us out and pass the detail to us – via an email message. Many thanks.