(In November of 2002 Chuck Bras contacted me and provided an account of
his experience on the ship in 1955 through 1957. He also sent some
pictures. His story and pictures are shown here with his permission. Thanks!)
Mid 1956, Ship proceeded to Mare Island NS in Vallejo to be fitted
with a special covering approx 12" wood over the bow doors.
Then sailed to Seattle for loading of supplies destine for
DEW Line sites above the Arctic Circle. Left Seattle for
Pt Barrow Alaska, 1st stop. Proceeded eastward with stops at
Prudhoe Bay, Mackenzie Bay, Cambridge Bay and
King Williams Island. (Queen Maud Gulf)
Note, ship got stuck in ice for about one week on 1956 trip
and had to be lead out by an icebreaker.
June of 1957 was the second trip to Arctic to replenish DEW Line sites.
On the voyage from Long Beach to Seattle, during passage
through the Straits of Juan de Fuca, ship collided with a
barge being towed by a tug that turned and crossed the bow of LST 561.
Ship was immediately put into dry dock and repairs made so we
could still participate in the next cruise to Artic.
After repair, repeated previous summer locations.
During this trip, we carried the Commodore of
LANSHIPRON 7 and staff aboard.
In all the LST 561 made 3 trips to the Arctic.
These were in the summers of 1955, 1956 and 1957.
The following pictures of LST 651 were taken during the summer
of 1955 while on a trip to the Arctic. These were taken by Bob Johnson,
who was the operations officer at the time.
