The 26 Ghosts of Hyder, Alaska-true story

Back in 1989 My friend and I took a trip to Hyder Alaska it took us less than 5 hours to arrive from Terrace ,BC while we were stopping along the road to enjoy the scenery, have a bite to eat along the road, and see so many wild life along the way. We left early morning so we can come back at the same day while we were at hyder Alaska I decided to venture around the area by foot it was nice day back in end of July 1989 with mild rain every now and then.

My friend suppose to meet some one else in one of the restaurant to talk about winter time tourism business back in north BC as he was a skiing instructor and he used to take THE USA tourists to good SAFE skiing spots in north BC . So I told him that we will meet back in my truck in 3 hours .

After we had our lunch in Glacier Inn he met his friend to talk about the skiing business and I went to walk around and see the small friendly ghost town , many tourists were walking by and taken pictures with the old cameras I thought may be I go to my car and get my camera too but I was already far and I thought I better enjoy the scenery and then go back I had a small flash light ,umbrella ,a Swiss knife and bear spray can I bought them from the store in Hyder. After a 20 min walk I decided to sit on a broken tree bark not to far from the main old town centre.

I was afraid to venture far and alone in a bear country so I stay closer to the town about 15 minutes walk from the town and while sitting around 2 in the afternoon I suddenly saw a strange light coming far from the forest area closer to were I was sitting about 200 yards , I took cover behind a tree as I was terrified by it . It look like a tornado but made of light no sand or water in it just swirling light formation, no sound and it was horizontal in direction not vertical.

 I was so upset that I didn't have my camera with me . I thought this must be some strange light phenomenon the front of the light tunnel stood at that point I saw 26 light figures they look like human figures but with out facial recognition they all came from east direction 6 figures in each group they were 4 groups and 2 figures were at the front gate of this light it was like those 2 figures at the gate knows the other 24 figures and welcoming them into the light tunnel , they all enter this gate of light and the gate closes and pulled so fast and vanishes in matter of less than few minutes and went back to the same starting spot. 

It was like a soul collecting tunnel , a portal of light, in that day and that time while I was sitting to witness it . I am sure that if it comes one it will come again some where in this earth or multiple times . Until now I think of that moment and ask my self who were those 26 souls and where that tunnel come from and why the angle of death as we know didn't come first , could it be that after they died took them some times to go to the light ? I turned and walked very fast back to the town looking at the sign at the street of Hydra town that says "the friendlies ghost town IN Alaska "

Later when my friend arrived to my truck I asked him to drive back and he looked at me and said whats the matter you look like seen a ghost and loughed and said friendly ghost and loughed again but I didn't lough and mind was away thinking and trying to make a sense of what had just happened. When I told him what I saw he replied did you drink anything as the bars here serve very strong alcohol. You know I dont smoke or drink, I replied. May be you were sitting relaxed and fall a sleep and dream . No I was a wake and sitting for while and about to return to the town and my car, I replied.

Do you want to go back and we can take pictures , He said .  NO , I dont think you will see that again , I told him it was one think event at that moment and we were in the car trying to make sense of it . My friend asked me that we can stay over night and we can leave tomorrow and we can take pictures . Lets go back home , I told him. and we drive back another 5 hours to Terrace BC.

After researching of the number 26 the only explanation I came up with is those 26 souls that lost their lives in the Granduc mine, Stewart -Hyder, Alaska avalanche not far away.But the question is why here in this place and not close to the mine it self ! Until now I dont have an answer. I felt may be the 2 white figures at the front of the gate where guiding the rest to come with them and may be they miss them and they want them all to join the light how I wish to know more about those figures .

According to the Gospel of Luke, there were 26 generations from David to Jesus Christ, as well as from Moses to Adam.

Another fact about number 26 that is related to the Bible is that Jesus was in the age of 26 when Joseph died and it is known that Joseph was the adoptive father of Jesus Christ. In the Gospel of Luke 26 numbers were used, while number 18 is mentioned 26 times in the Bible.

Also, there are some words that are mentioned 26 times in the Bible, such as “baptism“, “prescription“, etc.

It is interesting to say that the Hebrew name of God has 26 as its numerical value. It is also known that the 26th verse in the Bible is about the God’s image. According to the Bible, number 26 could mean the power of salvation. There are 26 letters in the Latin alphabet as well

The story of those 26 minors 

26 died and twenty workmen injured; buildings destroyed, in the Granduc mine, Stewart -Hyder, Alaska avalanche disaster Mar 1956 Granduc Mines Ltd hauled in 2,000 tons of freight, on snow sleds, to start the copper mine north of Stewart, near the Alaska Pan Handle.

L. T. Postle was Mine President at that time.

All was not perfect on building this mine.

Feb 18, 1965, at 09:57 am, (10:16 on memorial in Stewart) an avalanche from the Leduc Glacier, covered a Granduc Work camp, and the Mine Portal Tunnel,

And killed 26 workers, injuring 17.

Granduc mine was located 30 km north of Stewart.

Leduc Glacier- Latitude - Longitude (DMS) 56° 13′ 0″ N, 130° 22′ 0″ W, head of the Leduc River

I will attempt to record the names of those that died.

Most of the victims were taken to hospital in Ketchikan Alaska.

Granduc was building a 11 mile (18km) tunnel under 3 glaciers at the time to Tide Lake. Pressure was on to build it, and get the copper mine operating. Approx 154 men were employed here, at this time.

The 26 minors of those who died are

Craig Flemming Anderson- Age 37, Lived in Vancouver, married with 3 children, He was on the job for only 4 days. born in Scotland, Vancouver Crematorium

Andrew Burdick- Age 40, Married, born in Montreal, Quebec, buried in Kirkland Lake, ON

John S. Clausen- Age 38, Single, Born in Germany, Lived in Summerland BC, Buried in Summerland BC

Clifford Matthew Crawford- Age approx 30, Single, born in England, worked for Sentinel Construction

Raymond Ronald Reigh Currie- Age 34, Single, Born in PEI, Lived in Prince Rupert, Worked for Sentinel Construction, buried in Mountain View Cemetery, Vancouver BC

Aldege Davis- Age 31, born in Winnipeg MB, married- wife Sally Davis, of Vancouver, had 2 daughters, Welder, buried in Mountain View Cemetery, Vancouver BC

Wiolms (Vilmos on memorial) Fekete- Age 37, Married, buried in Ward's Pass Cemetery, Stewart BC

Edward William “George” Geiger- age 56, born in Saskatchewan, Metal Worker, Bit Grinder for Hard Metals Co. He was from Burnaby. married- Wife Pansy Geiger. buried Forest Lawn, Burnaby

Gordon Robert Lloyd- Age 37, Single, born in Vancouver BC, Powerhouse Operator, buried in Williams Lake BC

Donald John MacKinnon- Age 41, the 20th victim found- from North Surrey BC

Stewart James McLeod- age 35, Single, born in Fort St. John BC, Carpenter, buried Forest Lawn Cemetery in Burnaby

Jerimiah McNulty- Can't find anything on this mine, so spelling could be wrong?

Wayne Matiowski- Age 18, Single, born in Ohla, MB, Buried in Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery, Oakburn, MB

Christos Nitsos- Age 25, Single, born in Manayouli, Greece, buried in Fairview Cemetery, Prince Rupert BC

Ivan Orein Olson- Age 27, Single, born in Camrose AB, Cat Operator, buried in Scandia Cemetery, Camrose AB

Herman Orlaw- Age 55, married, born in Russia, the 23rd victim found- from North Vancouver- Carpenter. buried in Capilano View Cemetery, West Vancouver, BC

Cecil Alan Palmer- Age 37, Married, born in ON, buried in Veterans Memorial Park, Surrey BC

Arthur Frank Paulson- Age 28, Single, born in ON, buried in Sault Ste. Marie ON

Blake Reginald Rose- Age 21, Single, born in Alberta, buried in Mountain View Cemetery in Vancouver BC.

Rodney Leonard “Rod” Rose- Age 24, (23 in one source) Single, born in Alberta. buried in Mountain View Cemetery in Vancouver BC. (brother to Blake Reginald above)

Ulrick Gunter Schack- Age 18, Single, born in Berlin Germany, Buried in Kelowna BC

James Alexander Scott- Age 34, Married, Lossie Mouth, Scotland, Heavy Equipment Operator, buried in Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Burnaby BC

Dalton Shannon- Age 39, Married, Born in Matheson ON, Electrician, Buried in Ansonville, ON

Steve Soltesz- Age 25, Single, born in Hungary, lived in Calgary, he was the 22nd body found, buried in Ward's Pass Cemetery, Stewart BC.

John Anthony Tellam- Age 31, Single, Born in windsor ON, lived in Calgary AB, Buried in Calgary AB.

A Memorial was erected in Stewart in 2005, funded by the district of Stewart and the Workers Compensation Board.

Why drive 20 hours to Hyder, Alaska and 20 hours back to Seattle? The best answer I can give: to say that you did! And you cannot go all the way to Hyder and NOT take photos!!! (I mean, you have to prove you were there!) Hanging above the border is a “Welcome to Hyder, Alaska!” sign which makes the perfect road trip photo o

Go to the Post Office (and Check Out the Carved Wooden Bear)

As any town should, Hyder, Alaska has a post office. Mail is picked up at 8 am daily, and dispatched Monday and Thursday only… by floatplane! It’s a fun place to check out and a great place to mail some postcards from. Be sure to check out all the listings on the message boards, there are always some interesting ones.

Outside of the post office, check out the carved wooden statue of a bear. Another great photo op! And the only bear in Hyder you should get close to!

 Say Goodbye to the Friendliest Ghost Town in Alaska!

On the back of Hyder’s welcome sign, as you are heading out, there is another sign proclaiming that you are “Leaving Hyder — the friendliest ghost town in Alaska!” Be sure to say goodbye when you’re ready to leave and make your long journey back home!

Want to see more? Here’s a video montage of my road trip to Hyder, Alaska!

  In December 1964 the climate stations at Stewart, B.C., Ketchikan, Alaska, and Cape Annette, Alaska, recorded temperatures 5.5 C deg below normal and precipitation 35 percent below normal. Between 13 and 31 December only 12 mm of precipitation were recorded at Stewart, with overnight temperatures ranging down to -25°C. Both the precipitation and the temperature remained low in the first week of January.

  In February heavy snowfalls followed the early cold dry weather. For several days prior to 18 February a great sub-arctic storm raged and an estimated 4.3 m of snow fell at the Granduc Mine

  The Granduc Mine is 30 km northwest of Stewart, B.C., near the Alaska border; the Leduc Camp of the mine was located on a moraine at the junction of the North and South Forks of the Leduc Glacier and was accessible only over glacier covered terrain.

  At 0957 h on 18 February an avalanche destroyed the southern portion of the camp and the buildings surrounding the mine portal, not quite blocking the portal. In the camp proper there were four bunkhouses, a recreation hall, warehouse, first-aid building and temporary hospital, a small helicopter hangar with workshop, and ten smaller buildings. After the avalanche only the bunkhouses, mine office, warehouse, the first-aid building/hospital were left intact. Between the camp and the portal, and at the portal itself, there were a large power-house, a large workshop and new and old dry buildings. All were demolished.

  There were 154 men in the Leduc Camp; 68 of them were caught in the avalanche. The others were in buildings that were untouched or were working in safe areas outside; 21 men were working underground. The men caught in the avalanche were shoveling roofs, bulldozing pathways, digging out equipment and working on construction and machinery in the area of the mine portal. One of them was Einar Myllyla who was alone in the carpentry shop.

RESCUE

  The avalanche destroyed the power-plant, but within minutes auxiliary power was connected to the radio transmitter and a distress signal was sent to the Stewart mine office. Survivors, fortunately including a doctor and first-aid attendant, commenced rescue operations immediately. At the time of the disaster 15 men were working outside the portal and all were buried. The mine shift boss, who had fortunately been on the surface just before, knew the approximate positions of all these men and set the underground crew working in the hope of uncovering survivors. All 15 were found fairly quickly; six were alive, but nine were dead on recovery.

  As most survivors in the rest of the camp were in varying states of shock and injury, the rescue work was slow. Lack of proper equipment and the ongoing storm hampered operations. Using bare hands, shovels and makeshift equipment, 41 men were saved that day, the last one to come out alive 5 1/2 h after the slide.

  The distress signal to Stewart was heard by that Alaska State Police who immediately notified the RCMP in Prince Rupert. Mine officials in Stewart had operations well under way, arranging for a helicopter base to be set up and ground rescue to be initiated. As normal air access to the mine from Stewart was still impossible, a helicopter base was set up at the mouth of the Chikamin River on the Alaska side. Meanwhile ground rescue teams had left by snowcat from the nearest road camp; although it would take 3 days to cover the rugged 55 km, this might be the only means of rescue if the area remained closed by air.

  The news was almost immediately in the hands of the press and brought aid from many quarters of British Columbia and Alaska. By 1700 h operations at the camp had become more organized: communications with Chikamin were established and a helicopter pad was bulldozed out of the debris in front of the wrecked mess hall. Unknown to all, Einar Myllyla lay 3 m below the pad in an icy prison, conscious of operations above him.

  The search for survivors was greatly hampered by the mass of wreckage in the snow. Rescue dogs were confused by the maze of human scents. Probing turned up only more scattered material. Poor visibility, snow, fog, and wind continually hampered operations. For two days, between fitful comas, Myllyla could heard helicopters landing and taking off above him. Finally, on 21 February, after abandoning hope of finding further survivors, careful trenching of the debris began with bulldozers shearing off only a few inches at a time. Spotters rode the blade to watch for bodies.

  On that afternoon, while work progressed in the area of the helicopter pad, a large section of snow sheared away, revealing a blinking Myllyla, who looked up at astonished spotters saying "Don't move me, I think my legs are frozen." He had been buried for 3 days, 6 h. He was immediately taken to Ketchikan where a team of doctors saved all but the toes of one foot and some fingers. The last body was recovered by mine personnel on 18 June - leaving 26 dead and 20 injured.

     Radio operator Inn is Kelly managed to get a brief "Mayday" message out before his equipment faltered, and within hours, a massive rescue force from across Canada and the United States was battling storms to reach the scene, where 50-70 mile per hour winds were reported. While nearby helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft waited for the weather to ease, 4 cat trains ground through the drifts at top speed, the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Cape Romain got into position to move the injured to hospital as quickly as possible, the huge Alaska ferry Taku was equipped as a hospital and sailed for the harbour closest to the disaster, and a wide array of other military, police and civilian aircraft and boats from both countries sped to the area.

     Virtually the entire camp was wiped out by the avalanche. Some of the survivors were missed when the slide split into two forks, and many were able to dig themselves out when they were buried. Bertram Owen-Jones, a 20-year-old cook, was holding a knife when the cookhouse was blown apart - caught under a portion of wall, he was able to use the knife to cut himself free after 3 hours. The tunnel had only been driven 28 feet when the avalanche struck, and several men were protected inside it

     As the details filtered slowly out, it became apparent that many of the victims of the slide were new to mining, drawn by the high wages, and probably the excitement offered at this high-profile project. Brothers Blake and Rod Rose came from a mining family, but had heeded their mother's wishes to stay away from mining until a few days previously. Unable to find work in Vancouver, though, the boys hired on as labourers and, along with janitor Craig Anderson, arrived at Portal Camp 4 days before the slide hit - all 3 were killed.

     One of the real miracles of the disaster was the story of Eino Myllyla, a carpenter who was buried for 79 hours, while huge rescue helicopters landed on the snow directly above him. He was uncovered by a bulldozer which dislodged a cap of ice covering him. Suffering from frostbite, dehydration and oxygen deprivation, he was rushed to hospital in Ketchikan,

This short video will give you a better idea of what the room is like. I loved it.

This is the common lounge of the main lodge, beside my room on the second floor.

A video is a better way to share the feeling of the estuary boardwalk.

The Toast works Museum, the main reason I turned around, was well worth the backtrack. I’ll tell you more about it in a future article.

If you want to read more please visit my Blog at www.moleopedia.com

Steve Ramsey - Okotoks , Calgary