The Way We Were

June 22, 1922

Wrangell now has an exclusive permit for water power development on Mill Creek, at Virginia Lake on the mainland across from Wrangell Island. The application made by the town was in conflict with an application made by J. G. Galvin. The executive secretary of the Federal Power Commission recommended that the application of Mr. Galvin be denied and that the town be given an exclusive permit. Following is the letter which accompanied the permit: “Mr. J. E. Worden, City Clerk, I am enclosing herewith, for your files, the original copy of the preliminary permit for project No. 269, which was executed June 1. There is also enclosed a certified copy of that portion of the minutes of the Commission which refers to the authorization for the issuance of the permit. The District Forester, Mr. C. H. Flory, Juneau, has been requested to exercise supervision over the investigational work to be carried on under the permit. All correspondence relating to it should be addressed to him. Very truly yours, C.H. Merrill, Executive Secretary.”

June 20, 1947

A bottle and note, still fragrant with the smell of its former contents, was brought into the Sentinel office by Rogy Crogg and M. E. Hammer, who found the mysterious communication floating in Burnett Inlet. It was found May 27, 1947, and contains the following message: “This bottle is thrown in the Pacific Ocean on June 11, 1946, from the S.S. La Grande Victory, carrying troops from Korea to the good U.S.A.” It was signed by a crew member whose name, difficult to decipher, seems to be John Bruyfever. It appears possible, from the writing, that the inscriber may have assisted in helping to empty the bottle before penning the note. The note concludes by requesting that the closest newspaper please be advised and asks all other newspapers to copy. Mr. Crogg and Mr. Hammer said the bottle was tightly sealed and then covered with wax. The bottle and note are at the Sentinel office.

June 23, 1972

Wrangell is to share the wealth in the state budget, according to a message from Rep. Ernie Haugen to City Manager Kester Dotts. Haugen reported that the budget was adopted in the waning hours of the now adjourned Legislature. Items for the Wrangell area includes $50,000 for the hospital, $100,000 for harbor maintenance, $25,000 for completion of the Shakes Island project, and provisions under a bond issue for airport work and new harbor improvements to include the projected new small boat harbor to be located between the old airplane turnaround approximately four miles south on Zimovia Highway to near Wrangell Institute waterfront. The new harbor project has been estimated at $700,000.

June 19, 1997

Wrangell’s 45th King Salmon Derby, sponsored by the Wrangell Chamber of Commerce, came to an end Sunday evening, June 15, and the local harbors were busy with returning fishermen. Some were disappointed, but most were satisfied with the past month’s catches. Smiling the most was Robert Blank, who emerged as the 1997 derby winner with his catch at 44.2 pounds, caught near the state ferry terminal. He will receive $5,000 as his prize as well as the special weekly prize of $500 for the largest king entered during the week of June 2 through June 8. Doug Sandberg won second prize and $3,000 for his fish at 43.8 pounds, and Dick Stokes won third place and $1,000 with his 43.5-pound salmon. Jim Early was the Special Derby Days winner, bringing in $2,500 for his 43.1-pound catch during the Memorial Day weekend May 24-26.