DAILY DIARY
37 RADIO DETACHMENT - BRIG HARBOUR, LABRADOR
October 7, 1943 to October 18, 1943
7 Oct 43
WD Lyon F/O, C5755 (ADM) arrived here today via SS Kyle on posting as OC of this unit. Officers on this unit are F/L A Betzner, S/L R Cooil, F/O D Wilmot, and Mr James Leslie of Canadian Bridge Company who, with S/L Cooil was awaiting transport to Spotted Island. No permanent Staff personnel at present on this station. Barracks not yet completed and men living in tents. Food lacks variety and is badly prepared, no effort being made by the cooks to balance the diet which consist almost entirely of starch and fats. Believe cook in charge to be incompetent. Weather: Overcast with strong NW wind.
8 Oct 43
All building sites inspected and it appears that in view of the short time that the construction unit have been on this detachment and the adverse conditions encountered a very large amount of work has been done. Informed no chance of completing water supply system this year and S/L R Cooil and F/O WD Lyon walked over a considerable portion of the island trying to locate water sources. Best available source appears to be muskeg East of camp site on Sloop Harbour. This is separated from camp by an abrupt rocky hill about 80 feet high in the lowest part and is approximately 700 feet distanct if the contours are followed - A separate report will be made on water supply at an early date.
OK SERVICE V - F/O Sonigsen in command arrived at 1800 hours.
Weather - Clear and warm, wind W, dropping at sunset.
9 Oct 43
S/L A Cooil and Mr. James Leslie left on OK Service at 0700 hours for Spotted Island. Wind rose suddenly at 0900 hours from NW with snow and hail. Lighter moved to new moorings but unable to secure inboard motorboat which sank at moorings. Men worked with difficulty and secured everything possible. Wind moderated at dark.
10 Oct 43 NW wind rose violently at 0400 hours and tents were kept erect with difficulty. WT tent collapsed but with damage to equipment NIL. Planking on jetty destroyed and scattered. Men were moved to semi-finished barrack, and outside work suspended for the day. WT moved to Administration building. LIghts now working. Coal supply does not appear to exceed 75 - 80 tons and deemed inadequate for winter - signaled for further supply. Wind decreasing at 2000 hours. 11 Oct 43 Men much more comfortable and contented in barracks. Half-holiday granted (Thanksgiving). Signalled for further fuel supply (Diesel). Weather clearing, wind fairly strong SW. 12 Oct 43 Three water holes located from 500 to 2500 feet south of camp site, will be difficult of access by tractor until after snowfall, nearest hole can be greatly improved by small dams but flow is doubtful as ground is very high. SS Kyle in harbour 1430 hours. Reports unidentified vessel in Ellick Habor - Lat 55' 11" N., 59'12" W at 0630 hours 11/10/43. EAC signalled. Dock being repaired after storm damage. Approximately 1100 gallons of aviation gasoline and 210 gallons of #110 lubrication oil from Hopedale detachment landed. Three WOGS and one WEM from Hopedale arrived. They are wintering here. Administration building and barracks fairly well complete except for painting and plumbing. Motorboat raised and quick check indicates hull holed in two places - both repairable here. Brought ashore and motor removed for check and overhaul. NOTE: (This type of boat does not appear to be suitable for the rather heavy surf here - perhaps a motor dory would be better). Unloading and raising of motor boat lengthy owing to high winds from N. 13 Oct 43 SS Kyle left 1030 hours - F/L A Betzner on board for Spotted Island. Barrel raft completed and in operation. NOTE: (This was built by #8 CMU personnel as a subsitute for scow which was lost). Flat calm and clear night at 2000 hours. 14 Oct 43 Coal consumption checked. Using about one half ton per day with weather not yet severe and WT and RDF buildings not heated. NOTE: (No records of establishment either of personnel or supplies available here. Signals posting 51 OR's are here but nothing else.) Personnel from Hopedale employed on construction and as watchmen in Diesel plant. All heated quarters checked for efficiency of heating units. Quebec heaters of this size with vertical flues are not felt to be as economical as space-heaters or some larger type of stove with a larger radiation surface. Have urged strict economy in the use of fuel but men must heat water for washing clothes and bathing. Wind moderate E Weather slightly overcast but warm. 15 Oct 43 Looked over terrain with a view to station defense and it is apparent that this unit is vulnerable to a high degree of attack from the sea. The erection of concertina wire fence and sandbag strong points about the RDF building is recomended in order to hold up any attack sufficiently to allow the destruction of secret equipment. Grenades might be an excellent weapon as the ground is very rock and large boulders afford a good deal of cover that is safe from SA fire. Unobserved landings at night would not be very difficult to make. RCAF "Eskimo" arrived from Spotted Island. F/O J Musselman and RDF erection crew of five OR's reported. Mail also on board for #8 CMU personnel. Rowboat brought by Hopedale detachment adrift at 1730 hours. A search was organized but no trace found. Loss evidently due to careless mooring in Sloop Harbour. Lost scow reported picked up by American whaler and taken to Hawk Harbor. Wind SW all day with fair weather. 16 Oct 43 Further search for small boat unsuccessful. A few seals sighted - fresh meat would be welcome as personnel are complaining about tinned variety. Wind SW - W Mild and overcast. Raining at 2200 hours. 17 Oct 43 Gantry turntable raised and installed. Normal routine. Wind moderate NW - fairly warm. 18 Oct 43 Tractor giving further trouble. Have not yet had both of them going at the same time. Wind N Weather cloudy and with rain.
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