Yesterday's 8.2 earthquake in the Kuriles triggered a tsunami watch here in Kodiak. At first it was reported as an 8.4 Earthquake which is HUGE - so I was actually a little worried. We listenned to the radio for the frequent updates as they came in ('we repeat this is just a watch, it is not yet known if a tsunami has been generated .. .. etc'). Some friends who live in low lying area called to ask if they could stay with us if it changed from a watch to a warning, another friend called and wanted our opinion on whether her house was high enough above sea level to be safe or not. Predicted arrival of the wave for Kodiak was set at 1 AM. We stayed up until we heard the wave generated was a whopping 4 inches high! Not even worth going down to the beach to see. We went to bed reassured we'd wake up to a dry house.
But it is worth remembering that tsunamis aren't always so small. Ironically I was scanning slides from a new museum photo collection last night and came across this photo from the aftermath of the 1964 Earthquake. This is what Potatopatch Lake (the one behind the Mahoney's house and the Salvation Army) looked like after the tsunami wiped out Shahaftka Cove and Mission Beach. Note the old beachcomber bar floating out in the middle of the lake! Supposedly there was a huge party on the beach after the earthquake when various 'beachcombers' converged on the beach for all the washed up booze that came out of the bar. This photo was taken from near where the Owens live today looking towards the Salvation Army end of the lake (looking Northeast). (PGS)
4 comments:
I found your blog while searching for info on the Beachcomber bar. Spent too much time there in the early 70's. Does it still exist? Was that it's correct name? Looking forward to reading more of your blog.
I believe they used a boat to replace the old beachcombers after the tidal wave. It was still in use when I first came to Kodiak in 1985 - but was torn down soon after in the late 1980s. Today I'll ask around at work and try and get some more info for you. (PGS)
Patrick, I'm guessing that no one has any info about the old Beachcomber Bar. Thanks for asking at work. There are a bunch of ex-coasties enjoying a re-visit to Kodiak via your blog.
But John I did find out more - I just forgot to post it! I talked to an old timer about the pre 64 beachcombers and he told me that after the bars closed in town everybody moved on to the beachcombers. And then when that bar closed - the party moved to the beach until dawn!
He also told me that when he was a teenager they'd go to the beachcombers and climb in a back window. Then they'd keep an eye peeled for the town marshall - and jump back out the window when they saw him coming. (Patrick)
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