Port Aux Basque, Nfld

USCG LORAN Station - Assorted Sources


In 1942, the US Naval Coast Guard came to Channel - Port aux Basques to set up a top secret Radio Receiver and Transmitter site near Mouse Island. It should be emphasized that while the station was not physically located on Mouse Island, it did take its name from this tiny island. The complex was physically located on the coast of Newfoundland, opposite Mouse Island. The station was USCG Unit #79 and was manned by over 50 US Coast Guard, who maintained and operated the "Loran/A" master station until 1945.

Although the Mouse Island complex was supplied with basic food items and other supplies by ship or train from Argentia, many of the fresh vegetables and maintenance items were purchased in Channel - Port aux Basques.

We have been advised that the original site consisted of six Quonset huts. Five of these were connected together in an H shape (see the diagram below), but this group burnt down in the 1946-1947 time period. The oil on the floor in the Hydro room was always cleaned up with gasoline, but an oil drum outside that had a fire in it, seemed to jump to the fumes of the gasoline and the 5 huts (separate from that one that house the communications equipment) burned down because they were connected together.

The Americans were quick to replace these with five new Quonset huts - and this time they were not connected, but side by side. There are a number of photos available on our web site that depict the replacement Quonset huts. The five buildings were used for: Officers quarters, Kitchen, Hydro area, Men's barracks, and a building that was used for recreational purposes. We have been advised that the Americans put down copper pipes 2' - 10' into the ground (even thru some graves) and they strung cable that, from the air, would look like a cobweb, then put up a fence around the whole area... a metal fence that had large square holes (about 6" squares).


[American Base]

This diagram depicts the layout of the original American Base.



Click on the description text to view the photograph.
  1. Present day view of where the USCG site was located - September 2004.
    The picture is taken looking east toward the community of Mouse Island. The island itself would be seen offshore to the right in the photo.
    Courtesy Clayton Billard.

  2. Photo of Mouse Island as seen from the area where the USCG LORAN site was located - September 2004.
    It is about 100 yards from the shore to Mouse Island.
    Courtesy Clayton Billard.

  3. The gate and trail leading down toward the site where the transmitter building was located and where the staff worked - September 2004.
    The Department of Transport took over the LORAN site from the Americans in 1953 and my brother was one of the first radio operators hired to work there.
    Courtesy Clayton Billard.

  4. This concrete base is about a hundred feet away from the LORAN C site to the right of the previous picture that included the gate - September 2004.
    It is so new that it no doubt belongs to the 1953 and onward LORAN C system for its antenna.
    Courtesy Clayton Billard.

  5. Transfer of LORAN Stations - 26 June 1953.
    Courtesy Department of External Affairs.

  6. LORAN Stations in Newfoundland - 2 April 1951.
    Courtesy Department of External Affairs.

  7. Jim Fernandes standing outside of a Quonset Hut - April 1951.
    Courtesy Jim Fernandes.

  8. USCG site at Mouse Island - February 1951.
    Courtesy Jim Fernandes.

  9. USCG site at Mouse Island - February 1951.
    Courtesy Jim Fernandes.

  10. USCG site at Mouse Island - February 1951.
    Courtesy Jim Fernandes.

  11. Walkway to site - December 1950.
    Courtesy Jim Fernandes.

  12. The Operations hut - December 1950.
    Excellent view of Mouse Island close to shore.
    Courtesy Jim Fernandes.

  13. Water wagon parked outside of a Quonset hut - October 1950.
    Courtesy Jim Fernandes.

  14. Operations equipment - October 1950.
    Courtesy Jim Fernandes.

  15. The Operations hut - October 1950.
    The rest of the story.
    Courtesy Jim Fernandes.

  16. The "Sno Cat" was a necessity during the winter months - October 1950.
    Courtesy Jim Fernandes.

  17. Quonset huts - September 1950.
    Courtesy Jim Fernandes.

  18. Quonset huts - September 1950.
    Courtesy Jim Fernandes.

  19. Fuel depot - September 1950.
    Courtesy Jim Fernandes.



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Updated: October 21, 2004