The following article is from RCAF Radar 1941-1945 (Royal Canadian Air Force Personnel on Radar in Canada During World War II) and is used with permission of the author, WW McLachlan
FD Hurlbert relates his tour of duty at Cape Scott, after serving in Africa, Sicily and Italy. He arrived in the early spring of 1945 at Cape Scott, to replace the senior NCO. He had left Vancouver Harbour at night aboard a Union Steamship and as they moved into the straits in a driving rain storm, he promptly swallowed a dose of Mothersills seasick remedy. During the night the seas had calmed and he enjoyed the beautiful scenery between the mainland and Vancouver Island and on the way up the Straits fo Georgia.
On arrival at Port Hardy we stayed at an overnight lodging and in the morning boarded the 'Sekani', better known as 'Sick Annie', and traversed the coastal waters. We were served a bountiful breakfast of bacon and eggs, toast and coffee.
As we looked ahead, it seemed to us we were heading for a wall of water. We were told to brace ourselves for we were approaching the bar where the channel opens out to the Pacific Ocean. We lost our breakfast and, as I was dressed in my best blue to report for duty in style, I was a victim of the seas. Thee were no docks at Cape Scott and the seas were extremely rough. There is a sandy neck of land between Guise Bay and Experiment Bight which is the landing point. The ship anchors out in the Bight and a dory is sent out with or for personnel, and later a barge is winched out for supplies via a tractor on shore and the boat winch.
When we arrived the ocean was rough and the tide was rolling in; men in wet-suits launched the dory and the boat reached 'Sick Annie'. We were ordered to put on Mae Wests and get into the dory for the trip. We were soon speeding with the breakers toward what seemed a safe landing, but the wind changed and over we went into the freezing water. I was in my best blue with a brand new suit-case in my hand, and my nice waterproof watch on my wrist, which I later found was not waterproof. On three occasions I was propelled towards the shore only to be swept back to sea. On the fourth try, I was succesful in staggering out of the deep. I marched up the beach and reported to the CO. Later we were taken to sick-bay for a hot shower and a shot of Johnny Walker and bedded down until dry clothes were available.
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