It has often been said that there was only one RCAF Station that had it’s own "Navy" – and we don’t mean "McHale’s Navy" either. Discussion with any of the old timers that served at Holberg in the early days will verify that personnel were flown from RCAF Station Sea Island (now the south terminal at Vancouver International Airport) to Port Hardy, usually by RCAF (C-47) Dakota. Once in Port Hardy, well you would find yourself placed onto a bus – destination Coal Harbour which was (in the 1950s) a small whaling community. It was at this location that one could marvel at the irony of travelling on an RCAF boat – destination Holberg, BC.
Attempts to obtain accurate detail about the RCAF Marine section have been very difficult. The 30th Anniversary yearbook for Holberg contained an article called "The Final Salute" which in essence tried to provide detail on the closure of the Marine Section at Holberg and the departure of the last motor vessel in 1981. Unfortunately, this article had far too much inaccurate detail – so I decided to put something together with bits and pieces of detail that have been made available to date. It is hoped that you, the reader, will come to our assistance, and perhaps we can, collectively, put together an article on what was once a proud part of the day to day life at Holberg.
There are a few things that appear to be factual. We have heard from many sources that there were, over the years, three motor vessels which operated out of the Marine Section at Holberg. Everyone seems to be in agreement that the very first "Nimpkish I" was the M.535. Detail from this time period onwards – is purely guesswork. We have been advised that the M was an RCAF designator. We have also been advised that there were a number of other vessels (many with the M designation) that came to Holberg to "fill in" for the regular motor vessels when they had to be repaired or overhauled. At the moment – I am unable to provide 100% fact – but, it is felt that the following detail will suffice in the interim.
So – if you happen to have any photos or detail pertaining to the RCAF Station Holberg Marine Section – please "do us all a favour" and communicate with me via email message. The many thousands who have served at Holberg, and I am in this group, will be extremely thankful.
|
Nimpkish I |
1953 – 1960 |
M.535 |
|
Nimpkish II |
1960 – 1978 |
M.975 |
|
Cape Scott III |
1978 – 1981 |
YTD 11 |
Nimpkish I – M.535
We understand that the Holberg Marine Section was weighing anchors with the original Nimpkish even before the radar antennae began to turn. In support of the unit, it was tasked with transporting personnel and supplies to and from Coal Harbour, as well as Search and Rescue operations. The first Marine section had four personnel: Sgt. McCallum, Skipper, and LACs Forsyth, Funk and McLean.
Their first recorded incident occurred in May 1955, when a partially submerged gill-netter was observed through binoculars, two people clinging to the top of the cabin. The logged entry reads: "At 1100 hours, we pulled alongside the boat "Fantasy" which had left Nanaimo at midnight 5 May and had swamped about 0200 hours 6 May. Therefore the men had been clinging to the side for approximately 9 hours before being picked up. We took the two men (Mr. J Scoular and Mr. E Digeraud) on board where the crew assisted by Sgt. J Cote, took the wet clothing off the rescued men, wrapped them up in blankets, and fed them hot soup and coffee. At 1150 hours the rescued men (both in a state of shock from exposure) were transferred to Canso 060 which landed nearby. We then proceeded to tow the crippled boat to Seechelt, where it was turned over to Constable Neale of the RCMP. We cast off Seechelt at 1340 hours 6 May for Vancouver. The remainder of the trip was uneventful".
Perhaps the most famous story about the Nimpkish I is that of "The Nimpkish Incident" which took place on 4 July 1957. The detail of this incident are documented in another article on the Pinetree Line web site.
Nimpkish I was replaced by Nimpkish II (M.975) in November 1960.
Click on the description text to view the photograph.
Nimpkish II – M.975
As true to tradition as her predecessor, she remained undaunted by nature’s hard tests, often being the only means of transportation to and from this isolated post. She, too, proved valuable in Search and Rescue. Mr. Ray Lowe, an employee of CFS Holberg for twenty-three years recounts a rescue in the late 1960’s of two of the Stations firefighters "…who had gone on a fishing expedition to Raft Cove. They were overdue returning so Search and Rescue went out to look for them. Their boat had overturned in moderately high seas. They stayed with it and were gradually making their way towards Japan when the Nimpkish II came along and fetched them".
Area residents may still remember the rescue of three adults and three children from the burning mission vessel "Gospel Light" in January 1971; or November 1975 when 397 people were transported back and forth to Port Alice after the town was hit by a devastating mudslide.
The Nimpkish II continued to provide for us until she was replaced by the final vessel, the eminent Cape Scott III in 1978.
Click on the description text to view the photograph.
Cape Scott III – YTD-11
In November 1981, the Marine Section of CFS Holberg became history. The Cape Scott III, also known as YDT 11, sailed down the inlet for the last time, heading around the Cape and down Georgia Strait for refit in Vancouver.
Her crew that day, Chief Petty Officer Arnie Yates, Master Seaman Greg Saunders, Leading Seaman John "Stoker" Muggrave and a maintainer, Corporal Doug Sheridan, received a final salute from Lt. Colonel Harvey-Clark, with over one hundred spectators crowding the dock.
Even the tone of the Bowsman’s pipe seemed woeful - after all, the ol’ girl and her salty crews had served us well. CFS Holberg had been the only Air Command unit to hold such a vessel on establishment.
The Marine vessels and their various crews formed a truly unique part of the Station’s history. For Search and Rescue, alternate transportation, freight runs and recreational outings, the Cape Scott III and her fore-runners are sorely missed.
Other Motor Vessels Operating From Holberg
Click on the description text to view the photograph.
Pinetree Line Web Site Notes:
OK folks - We need your help! There appears to be some degree of mystery and inaccurate detail provided when it comes to the Marine Section which functioned at Holberg for close to 30 years. Your assistance would be greatly appreciated.
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Updated: October 5, 2001
