FEBRUARY 9 -Situation at Fraser beginning to look serious. With only six
tons of coal on hand at Fraser and with an insufficient amount to start
south, with the weather still 30 degrees below zero and a strong north wind
blowing, a total of 23 men in the outfit and rations low, conditions were
serious. It was decided that we would have to make every effort to keep
engines alive with ties, using only enough coal as was absolutely
necessary. During the PM of February 9th the the section foreman from Log
Cabin with two men walked from Log Cabin to Fraser to bring supplies they
could carry on their backs to assist us until relief could reach us. All
hands were thoroughly exhausted, however, morale was good and the men were
caring for their health the best they could under existing conditions. At
2:15 PM on the 9th we were successful in getting engines 8l and 62 back to
the tank at Fraser and were successful in getting the rotary back to the
tank at 3:45 PM. The storm continued with temperature 22 degrees below
zero. Arrangements were made with Bechtel, Price, Callahan Construction
Company to start a D-4 tractor out of Carcross towing a sled with rations
and to pick up four tons of coal at Bennett. Tractor with sled left
Carcross at 7:00 PM, February 9th.
Extra 66, north, was called from shops at 12:30 AM for Glacier and departed
at 3:01 AM with a coach. The delay was due to water spout at the shops
froze up. They arrived at Glacier at 5:25 AM after being delayed while
stuck in a drift at M.P. 11.5, being helped out by engine 250 dispatched
from the shops for that purpose.
Engine 66 then tried to get up to the 256 at M.P. 16.5 but was unable to do
so on account of high drifts. Engine 66 departed Glacier for Shops at 11:45
PM, but again became stalled in the snow at M.P. 11.5 and it was again
necessary to send the 250 out to assist her. Both engines arrived back at
the Shops at 5:30 PM. Engine 250 again departed Shops at 7:00 PM with a car
of men, tools and rations, arriving Glacier at 8:00 PM. Engine 250 then
returned light to Shops, arriving 9:30 PM.
Summary of the Situation on February 9: We still have the South-bound
Rotary at Fraser without coal. We have the northbound Rotary 500 feet
south of the American Shed with draw bar out of south end. We have engines
71 and 10 dead at north end of steel bridge. We have the 256 dead and
snowed in at M.P. 16.5.
