VOLUME 33, NUMBER 39 FEBRUARY 19, 2009 FREE
THE WEEKLY NEWS & LIFESTYLE JOURNAL OF MT. WASHINGTON VALLEY The Story Of The West Kebar: Captain Dwight Smith Sr.’s merchant ship was torpe- doed during World War II, and writer Steven Caming tells the incredible story that followed …
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Ski Jumping Champs: The Kennett High School Ski Jumping Team took home the State Champion trophy after the competition at Proctor Academy Feb. 13…
B10 MAILING LABEL
A SALMON PRESS PUBLICATION • (603) 447-6336 • PUBLISHED IN CONWAY, NH Give a gift of family Page Two togetherness & lifelong memories… Open House offered on Feb. 26, from 1 to 3 p.m. GSC’s OLLI program is a stimulus package for the mind By Linda Tucker experiences and pursue fresh interests. Each community presents unique educa- Contributing Writer OLLI at GSC is expecting vigorous tional offerings. There is no end to the THERE’S BEEN A LOT OF talk renewal numbers and is hoping to attract subjects that can be explored. This these days about the need for a stimulus at least 200 new members this spring! spring, topics offered in Conway will package. If you want to take a break from Structured as a membership program, encompass arts, literature, film, history, all the political turmoil, consider Granite participants pay $35 per year to join technology, religions, finances, science, State College’s OLLI program. It prom- OLLI and then usually an additional $5 world affairs and the environment. The ises a stimulus package for your brain that per session each time a class or workshop OLLI catalog gives full course listings for will also be loads of fun. And, it won’t meets. Some classes, however, are free! all campuses. require spending the grandkids’ inheri- Programs might consist of a single ses- According to Virginia Martin, OLLI tance to pay for it. sion or meet weekly for up to eight weeks Director and member, “all four OLLI On Feb. 26, Granite State College will usually for one-and-a-half to two hours. curriculum committees have worked cre- host an OLLI open house from 1 to 3 Course activities include lectures, travel, atively – not to mention diligently – to p.m. to launch its spring 2009 offerings at outdoor exploration, cultural and ethnic bring an enticing variety of great classes its campus at 53 Technology Lane in experiences, small group discussion and and activities.” The spring schedule con- Conway. social opportunities. tains some intriguing course titles. The open house will feature light Payment of membership dues gives If you’re the adventuresome type, you Story Land refreshments and a presentation by Betsy access to the programs and activities at might be fascinated by “The Lewis and Gemmecke, Outreach Coordinator. the Conway campus and at any of the Clark Expedition,” as relayed by Catalogs will be available, course facilita- other three Granite State College Marianne Borowski. Marianne will show 2009 Season tors will be on hand and attendees will be Institute locations in New Hampshire. and tell how she bicycled across the U.S. able to register for classes. With courses geared to students age 50 and over, OLLI (Osher Lifelong The graduation ceremony consisted Passes and Day Learning Institute) provides an opportu- of Instructor Richard Mullen lead- nity for adults to explore avenues of inter- ing the class in a Conga line around est in a collegiate environment without the OLLI GSC Conway campus. Passes are now the pressure of tests, grades or homework (Courtesy Photo) and at a surprisingly affordable cost. Regardless of a person’s educational background, this is a chance to learn for available! the fun of it. The Bernard Osher Foundation fos- ters a growing national network of life- long learning institutes for seasoned adults located at 119 colleges and univer- sities from Maine to Hawaii and Alaska. Until recently, for New Hampshire resi- dents to participate in OLLI, students needed to travel to Manchester, Concord or Exeter. The OLLI program came to Conway last fall and has already become hugely popular. With 83 new members in its debut year, it’s catching on fast as a place to meet with old and new friends, share
A Season Pass is just $66 per person, ages 3 and above, for unlimited admission every day of the 2009 season. Call 603-383-4186, ext. 0. It wasn't hard for these OLLI A Day Pass is just $25 per students to enjoy going back to school. The laughs came a mile person, ages 3 and above, for a minute as students in Richard admission one day in the 2009 Mullen's fall Gelotology class season. Purchase online and studied the effect of humor and laughter on the human body. print at home ($1.25 fee per (Courtesy Photo) ticket applies), or contact the Story Land office. On the Cover Inside Index A great year to be a Nordic skier A True Tale of Seamanship Arts & Entertainment...... Page B1 The trails of the Jackson Ski Touring Steve Caming uncovered the never- Calendar...... Page B6 Foundation have been alive with the before written tale of Captain Dwight Entertainment...... Page B8 sounds of happy Nordic skiers this sea- Smith of North Conway (father of son. The JSTF isn’t the only place to Dwight Smith Jr.,of Intervale) who On the Slopes & Trails...... Pages B2-4 find great cross-country conditions; commanded the merchant ship West On the Rockpile...... Page A10 Great Glen Trails, Bear Notch Ski Kebar, which was torpedoed during Nooks & Crannies...... Page A17 603-383-4186 Touring, Bretton Woods, MWV Ski & during World War II. But that’s just the Rt. 16, Glen, NH 03838 Snowshoe Foundation and King Pine beginning of this amazing story. Page Real Estate ...... Page A19 can all boast Nordic skiing bliss. www.storylandnh.com A6 Sports ...... Pages B10-15 (Thom Perkins/Jackson Ski Touring Photo)
Page A2 - The Mountain Ear, Thursday, February 19, 2009 in 2002 and rode the Lewis and Clark Trail from St. Louis to the Pacific on the Carol Foorde acts out the character of Molly 200th anniversary of the expedition in Ockett for the White Mountain Tales class. 2004. If you’re really looking for excite- (Courtesy Photo) ment, in week two, she promises to help you plan your own biking adventure with all the details to make it easy and fun. If all the electronic wizardry that your grandchildren are playing with has you baffled, “Gizmos and Gadgets” sounds like it will answer all your questions while providing an interactive experience. The grandkids might be impressed when you get fit on your Wii or text them from your Blackberry. And if you’re hoping to get an early glimpse of spring, take a May 6 walk in the woods with Joshua Potter, a natural- ist with the Tin Mountain Conservation Center. My husband and I have spent OLLI students engage many happy hours learning from Josh in printmaking dur- about the mountains and valley we live in. ing the fall term. There are 17 other courses to choose (Courtesy Photo) from, including Golf 101, Spontaneous Cooking, Mosaic Art and many more. To get the complete list, attend the open began to focus on offering courses to a “These results will be achieved not facilitators, topic experts and qualified house or visit the OLLI website at more mature population — those whose through a small number of large gifts but members with an accumulation of knowl- www.granite.edu/olli. Register early! primary purpose was to learn for the joy rather from a large number of dedicated edge. Wherever your interests may lie, Classes fill quickly. Credit cards are of learning, not to accumulate credits members making modest gifts.” you’re sure to find a lively and spirited accepted by phone at 447-3970. toward a degree or upgrade career skills. Martin is hoping that along with the group looking to share your enthusiasm. All presenters are volunteers and In early 2001, an endowed grant was $35 membership fee, members will con- Granite State’s Conway campus is future subject matter will be determined bestowed to the University of Southern sider including a $10 or larger tax- located off the White Mountain by the interests of the members. To Maine, enabling them to expand and deductible donation to OLLI. Highway (Rte. 16) in Suite 150 of the Mt. become an instructor, anyone with a improve their already existing “Senior OLLI can connect you with new and Washington Valley Economic Council's topic that they think is appealing and that College” with programs targeted toward fascinating people in your community Technology Village. For further informa- may be relevant to others is welcome to students near or at retirement age. from all walks of life. Members are tion about Granite State College or contact Betsy Gemmecke. Today, the OLLI at the University of retired, semi-retired, in transition, look- OLLI, logon to www.granite.edu/olli., OLLI derives its name from benefac- Southern Maine functions as a National ing for a change, or still working. or call 447-3970. ▲ tor Bernard Osher, a native of Biddeford, Resource Center facilitating the Educators include retired instructors, Maine, and a graduate of Bowdoin exchange of opinions, solutions and expe- College. Osher began his business career riences amongst the current network of managing the family’s hardware and over 120 nationwide OLLI centers. plumbing supply business before becom- Virginia Martin, OLLI Director, says ing involved in banking and investing. In that due to the current economic climate, 1997 he created the Bernard Osher OLLI at GSC is no longer receiving Foundation. The foundation’s stated mis- grant money from the Osher sion is “to seek to improve quality of life Foundation, but is currently operating on through support for higher education membership/class income and donations. and the arts.” “We hope to raise $3,200 this spring According to information published to reach our goal of $6,000 in member by the foundation, in the fall of 2000 it donations this fiscal year,” said Martin.
The Mountain Ear, Thursday, February 19, 2009 - Page A3 Comments & Opinions
Established 1976 Thanks for supporting the MGC Holiday Boutique PUBLISHER To the Editor, Vision, Karla Ficker’s “All Things sale, setting up for the sale and manning the The Mountain Garden Club (MGC) is Growing” program, and the Chamber of tables the day of the Holiday Boutique was Richard Piatt most appreciative to the Mount Commerce E-Traveler Newsletter. a huge undertaking and I express my appre- Washington Valley community for once Proceeds from the boutique benefits ciation to all MGC members and “Friends FOUNDING EDITORS again so generously supporting our annual MGC’s many beautification projects, as well of the Club,” who so willingly gave of their holiday boutique. This year’s theme was as our Alice T. Madden Scholarship Fund time and expertise to make this a magical R. Stephen Eastman “Home for the Holidays,” held at the North that is used to award scholarships to resi- event. Jane Golden Reilly Conway Community Center on Saturday, dents of the Valley. As always, the proceeds The Mountain Garden Club is dedicated Dec. 13. There was a wonderful turnout and from the sale of paperwhites and amaryllis to the promotion of all phases of horticul- MANAGING EDITOR everyone was in the holiday spirit, anxious bulbs are donated to Jen’s Friends. The fea- ture, floral design, civic beautification, com- to buy all the beautiful items that the MGC tured items at this year’s Holiday Boutique munity service, conservation, youth projects Nina Perry members had been working on for several were the garden art, hand-painted by the and scholarships within the Mount months. Painted Ladies of Jackson and the tea cup Washington Valley region. It is a member of COPY WRITING/ We would also like to thank the organi- candles made with soy wax. There was a the New Hampshire Federation of Garden zations and businesses that helped us with wide variety of sewn items that make won- Clubs, District 1, and the National Garden PROOFREADING donations and discounts, especially the derful gifts or to keep for your own use at Clubs, Inc., New England Region. For Nina Perry Jackson Historical Society, GDC Garden home. more information regarding the club, its Kristina Whitten Center, Shaw’s, and Hannaford. We Finally, the success of the holiday bou- programs and activities, go to www.moun- received excellent publicity from the radio tique would not have been possible without taingardenclub.org. stations WPKQ, WJSK and WMWV the many hours put in by our hardworking Gini Cornila, President CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Drive Time; the newspapers, The Conway and dedicated Mountain Garden Club Mountain Garden Club Ann Bennett Daily Sun, Mountain Ear and Freedom members. The many workshops conducted Pru Smith Crossroads, as well as RSN TV, Valley to create the decorative items available for Steven D. Smith A new, updated Valley-wide public transport system is more important than ever Peter Minnich To the Editor, were living below the poverty level, and over and, over time, more than make up for the Steve Caming Transportation isn’t important until you 11,000 residents were age 60 and older, a cost of public routes. Linda Tucker don’t have it. population that is projected to reach 33,000 Community transportation improves the Karen Stancik Previous failed attempts at a community by 2025. People living in a rural communi- economy, enhances the environment, and transportation system in Carroll County ty without access to transportation are iso- supports public health. Carroll County res- John Harrigan have prompted people to raise questions lated from medical assistance, job opportu- idents pay into the system that spends bil- Paul Stuart about the viability of the Carroll County nities, and other vital services. lions of tax dollars each year to do just that Transit Project (CCTP, a new initiative Historically, transportation providers in other communities. It is way past time for sponsored by Tri-County CAP). “If it didn’t have received reimbursement from federal Carroll County to be on the receiving end CONTRIBUTING work then, why will it work now?” The and state agencies for transporting the eld- of that equation. PHOTOGRAPHERS answer is twofold: increased need and sys- erly, disabled, and Medicaid recipients to If you would like to know more about the Steven D. Smith tem design. essential services. The absence of a coordi- Carroll County Transit Project, contact me The CCTP is a multi-modal system, nated effort, coupled with the increase in at 323-8150 or [email protected]; or attend Joshua Spaulding which includes public routes running along numbers of people needing service, evolved the next meeting of the CCTP on Karen Stancik Routes 25 and 16. In addition, dial-a-ride into an extremely expensive, inefficient sys- Thursday, March 12 at 1:30 p.m. in the Linda Tucker and volunteer driver services will be coordi- tem. Consequently, federal and state agen- Sununu Room at the Tri-County CAP nated to transport people from their starting cies will no longer provide subsidy for trans- Resource Center in Tamworth. location to the public routes providing portation unless the provider is part of a Theresa Kennett, Project Manager ADVERTISING SALES access to everyone, particularly the growing regional plan focused on coordination of Carroll County Transit Project Shannon Houde population of people most in need. services. The efficiency achieved by coordi- Tri-County CAP Resource Center As of 2006, nearly 1,300 Carroll County nating with a public route system will COMPUTER GRAPHICS, residents were disabled, 3,706 residents increase the number of people being served DESIGN & COMPOSITION A message to our readers who receive the Mountain Ear by mail Amanda Dunleavy Out of state and out of area mail sub- Our circulation department (603-569- understatement. It appears that our news- scribers report increased delays in receiv- 8924) can put a “tracer” on subscriptions to papers, that customers pay to receive, kick LAYOUT DESIGN ing this weekly newspaper in a timely fash- follow their progress. Historically, when around in a black hole somewhere and Emily Killinger ion. We can’t explain it and worse, we feel we’ve done this in the past the service arrive anywhere from three days to three helpless trying to correct the problem. improves for a month or so but usually weeks after they are supposed to. Labeled subscriber copies of this news- relapses once the tracer expires. Unfortunately the ultimate frustration lies OFFICE MANAGER paper, like all others in the Salmon Press To combat this we’ve made our newspa- with the paying customer. And for that we Kristina Whitten newspaper group, are taken to the local pers free online to subscribers. All you are truly sorry. post office in the early morning hours on need is a user name and password and you Even though fighting the postal service DISTRIBUTION the day it is published. Every week. Where can access your favorite paper the day it is is like fighting city hall, we’ll keep up the it goes from there is anybody’s guess. published. If you’re not already signed up, battle in hopes of getting somebody’s Bill Collins Nobody at the post office of entry or the just go to newhampshirelakesandmoun- attention. But we won’t be sending them John Myers post office of receipt seems to know either. tains.com and click on the icon of your anything in the mail. We know lots of mail bounces around from newspaper to do so. Rich Piatt, Publisher Darlene Westfall regional post office to other post offices To say we’re frustrated by the lack of Salmon Press Papers Tina Lamy before it finally reaches its destination. service from the post office would be an
The Mt. Washington Valley MOUNTAIN EAR is published on Thursdays as an independent newspa- per by Salmon Press. The publication is printed 51 weeks each year and is distributed from Ossipee to Gorham, New Hampshire, and also in Fryeburg and western Oxford County, Maine. The MOUNTAIN EAR office is located at Ear Marks Mountain River Village on Route 16 in Conway, New Hampshire. Please direct all correspondence to: The MOUNTAIN EAR, P.O. Box 530, Conway, N.H. 03818. The telephone number to call for general informa- tion and display advertising is 603-447-6336. For classified advertising call 877-766-6891. MWVAA introduces new monthly program The Fax number is 603-447-5474. Ear on Web: newhampshirelakesandmountains.com Marketing Brown Bag Lunch Series E-mail: [email protected] for news or [email protected] for ad material The yearly bulk mail subscription rate is $35 and is for Artists begins March 4 payable in advance. CONWAY — The Mt. Washington Valley Frameworks and Duane Hammond – artist the area’s artists, artisans, and craftspeople,” ADVERTISING DEADLINES Arts Association (MWVAA) is introducing a and owner of Pig In a Poke; April 1 – states Jan Eskedal, Board President. Advertising insertion orders must be placed one week new monthly program - the Lunchtime Internet Shoestring Marketing with Allen There is no cost to attend the two-hour in advance of publication date, and advertising copy must be received in our office by Monday at 5 p.m. Brown Bag Marketing Series which will run and Lani Voivod of Epiphanies Inc; May 6 – workshops, just bring lunch and marketing once a month from March through June Made in N.H. – How to Promote Your questions regarding your art. This program LETTERS POLICY and begin again in September. This series is Work – representatives from Made In N.H.; will take place the first Wednesday of the The Mountain Ear welcomes Letters to the Editor open to all area artists, artisans, and crafts- June 3 – How to Approach a Gallery with month from noon to 2 p.m. at the MWVAA pertaining to local community issues. All corre- spondence should be signed, include a return people. Don Sutton of Surroundings Art Gallery. office in Norcross Place (next to RSN). address, and be addressed to P.O. Box 530, Conway, Each month, a featured speaker will “The Mt. Washington Valley Arts Information on classes and workshops N.H. 03818, faxed to (603) 447-5474 or e-mailed to deliver a presentation leaving time for ques- Association has made a commitment to sup- being offered by the MWVAA, including [email protected]. All letters should be received prior to publication and be no longer than tions and a round table discussion. The fea- porting the visual artists of the region in course descriptions, dates and prices, can be 300 words. The Mountain Ear reserves the right to tured speakers and topics are: March 4 – building their expertise in promoting and found online at mwvarts.org or by calling edit letters for length and clarity and to not publish Reproducing and Packaging Your Work selling their work. The organization is very 356-ARTS (2787). ▲ letters deemed unsuitable. with Louise Perry from Vintage excited to be offering these workshops to
Page A4 - The Mountain Ear, Thursday, February 19, 2009 Ear Marks
Vocal Jazz, Big Band and Jazz Combo were all recognized for excellence Fryeburg Academy jazz students win big at Berklee Jazz Fest FRYEBURG, Maine — Sometimes they make it look easy! Fryeburg Academy Fryeburg Academy’s Big Band Jazz students began their competitive (Photo Courtesy of Dawn LaCasce) season on a high note by winning big at the 41st annual Berklee High School Jazz Festival in Boston. High energy performances by all three groups, Vocal Jazz, Big Band and Jazz Combo were recognized at the evening’s award ceremony. Birth of the Cool Combo members, seniors, Jared LaCasce, Tyler Arnold, Anya Rose, Dan Rounds and sophomore, Devin LaCasce, outperformed schools from all over the U.S. to capture their first ever Berklee title. Vocal Jazz and Big Band were both awarded second place. This was director, Brent LaCasce's 17th Berklee festival and certainly one of the most rewarding. To have all three groups place in their respective divi- sions recognized the time and hard work that each student put into the per- formances. Ensembles are judged by a panel of top Berklee College faculty members and given a short critique fol- lowing their performance. The judges were clearly impressed with what they saw and heard. Big Band, with its second place win, boased its best Berklee showing to date. Celes, Dan Stackhouse, Devin LaCasce, Celes, Jared LaCasce, Logan Cline, competitive season at the Regional The veteran band is made up of rhythm Stephen Lansing and Meghan Bradley. Lindsay MacGillivray, Liz Delmonico, District II Jazz Festival held at Lake section, Dan Rounds (keyboard), Tyler FA's talented Vocal Jazz Ensemble is Hannah Hill, Gillian Armstrong, Louise Region High School on Feb. 26. The Arnold (drums), Ryan Ahern (vibes) and well-known at the festival as a “must- Alfano and Devin LaCasce. ensembles, along with other FA Jazz Anya Rose (bass guitar); trumpets, Mary see” group and packed the performing Senior, Jared LaCasce, in his final groups, will also perform at the Jazz Rhymer, Lauren Brooking, Louise area. The rhythm section of Naomi Ela Berklee festival, was awarded the Cabaret to be held in FA's new Leura Alfano, Tim Wadleigh and Jared (keyboard), Tyler Arnold (drums), Superior Musicianship Trophy, the Hill Eastman Performing Arts Center LaCasce; trombones, David Reed, Mark Jeremy Holden (guitar), and Anya Rose highest honor, for both Vocal Jazz and on March 10. More information on both Schwalbenberg, Lindsay MacGillivray (bass) led the group of vocalists Bobby Big Band during the evening's award of these events can be found at www.frye- and Mack Bray; and saxophones Delani Sheehan, Roosevelt Bishop, Delani ceremony. Groups will continue their burgacademymusic.com. ▲
The Mountain Ear, Thursday, February 19, 2009 - Page A5 The Last Voyage ... A Classic Sea Tale where truth surpasses fiction
here are stories we hear along the way in life — from our friends, or in books and movies, some from the newspapers and some from our fathers as we grow up… some tales are true, others are just fantasies and fables meant to entertain. It would be more than 45 years before Dwight Smith, Jr. would take his own voyage Tof rediscovery, transcribing his late father’s hand-written journal into a legible, detailed account of a classic maritime odyssey. Today, it reads much like an adventure novel, with all the varied elements of conflict: man vs. man; man vs. nature and man vs. himself. As Dwight, Jr. poured over the journal pages these many years later, he learned much about his seagoing father that only hindsight can teach. Sitting in his North Conway home, reading his father’s By Steven Caming words, the walls and mountains melt away as the reader is transported to the shipping lanes Contributing Writer of a wartime world and a son gets to know his Dad a little better.
he last thing Captain Dwight Smith Tsaw before impact was the phospho- THE IMPORTECH rescent trail left in the torpedo’s wake. A DIFFERENCE second later it hit his ship, followed SWEETHEART SPECIALS! immediately by a deafening explosion. “Well, Jesus Christ, that’s it,” he February is the Month for Love! exclaimed, as the ship lost power. Born in 1889, Dwight Smith, Sr. was State Inspection & Oil Change Special 53 years old at the time of his last and At Importech, our commitment • State Inspection • Oil, Filter and Lube Service* • 33 Point Safety Inspection greatest adventure. Originally from remains the same- to provide the .95 highest quality automotive and • Tire Rotation (as needed) • Complete Brake Inspection Rockland, Maine, his family moved to truck repair and the best possible $39 • Antifreeze & Fluid Check • Inspection of Hoses & Belts Vermont, where Smith ran away from service anywhere. Come experience the a $95 value home at age 16 to go to sea. He rode his • Battery Test & Charging System*up to 5qts regular oil, some oil filters extra. Importech difference! for most vehicles exp. 2/28/09 bicycle from Vermont to Boston and Brake Service Special began a lifelong love affair with the WE NOW HANDLE Save $75 on your replacement of Brake Pads & Rotors! oceans of the world. Following a stint ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE CALLS! exp. 2/28/09 with the lighthouse service in the AAA Show Your Card & Save! Philippines prior to World War I, he If you’re locked out of your car, have a flat tire, are out of served in the Navy throughout the war. AAA Members save 10% on service and repairs. gas, have a dead battery or other minor assistance needs, call Once back in the private sector, he ful- Excludes tires, batteries, and factory parts filled his dream of becoming a sea cap- us and we’ll be right there to help! Most calls are only $35! exp. 2/28/09 Offers cannot be combined tain, also finding time to marry and have AAA Awards Importech The #1 NH two children. Independent Facility for the 3rd year in a row! Rt. 16, Conway, NH But the lure of the high seas always Importech was voted the independent automotive and truck repair called to this mariner. “Mother knew facility in the entire state of New Hampshire! 447-3873 • www.importechnh.com when she married him she was marrying
Page A6 - The Mountain Ear, Thursday, February 19, 2009 of the West Kebar
the sea as well. Growing up, we would- the first column, the West Kebar pro- n’t see him for months at a time, but that ceeded down the coast, escorted by five was part of the life,” Dwight, Jr. remem- surface craft, two blimps and a number bered. of planes that came and went through- Being a sea captain in peace time had out the day. The convoy split up the next its risks, but these are infinitely com- day, with the West Kebar and two pounded in wartime, as it necessitates Norwegian ships heading south for the leaving the family to remain at home Virginia Capes. Upon arrival at Little waiting for their loved one to return. Creek Naval Base, Smith received rout- ing instructions for the voyage to West THE LAST VOYAGE OF THE Africa. The trans-Atlantic voyage was West Kebar began on June 6, 1942. The uneventful except for one report of an 426-foot-long merchant ship had been enemy sub sighted to the east of armed with machine and anti-aircraft Bermuda, only six miles from where the guns the month before. It was the first West Kebar would be passing. time Captain Smith’s vessel had held “I figured since we wouldn’t have weapons in the eight years he had com- reached the sub’s position for four hours, of the highest order. manded her. it would likely be well clear on one side “The missionaries, all young men The war was raging and the or the other,” Smith wrote in his journal. under 30, were going out into the for- American-West African Line was among As the submarine was not spotted again, eign field for the first time, and in my many merchant carriers that transported his assumption proved correct. If noth- opinion doing a fine job in draft dodg- war materials across the embattled sea ing else, the incident served as a fresh ing, as they were all young, healthy, lanes. Several ships of the American- reminder that the ship was headed into strong and in a hurry to get away from it West African Line had already been lost troubled waters. all,” Smith wrote. to the German “Wolf Pack,” as had The ship had six passengers for the The ship arrived at its first port, many friends of Capt. Smith. The ocean crossing, all men. It could carry a Freetown, to take on boiler water and above: The American Merchant American flag on the ship’s side was maximum of 12 passengers besides the receive naval routing orders. She Marine ship the S.S. West Kebar unceremoniously painted over, as battle- 30-odd crew members. Company rules unloaded 900 tons of cargo in in port readying for warfare. ship gray was applied. Shortly thereafter, stated that a ship with more than 12 pas- Robertstown before proceeding to 150 tons of munitions were loaded on sengers must have a doctor on board, Monrovia, Liberia. Due to endless opposite page: Dwight Smith, Jr. board. which the West Kebar didn’t. Most delays, it would be more than a month working on his father’s journal After attending a convoy meeting at often, Smith’s passengers were mission- before the West Kebar would be allowed transcription. the U.S. Naval Port Director’s office aries, bound for the Sudan Inland to continue her journey. When she near Gravesend Bay, N.Y., Smith took Missions in Nigeria, and the captain sailed, it was in the company of an (All photos & illustrations his ship in a 12-boat convoy. Leading wasn’t entirely sure their motives were KEBAR continues Page A8 courtesy of Dwight Smith, Jr.)
The Mountain Ear, Thursday, February 19, 2009 - Page A7 Kebar Continued from Page A7 was soon to befall American ship and an armed British them, as they all looked trawler. forward to an early “I don’t know just what protection return home. the trawler afforded us seeing that she “Life on board had was one knot slower than the Kebar and proceeded at an even six knots slower than the American tenor, with the crew ship,” Smith noted in his log. going about their work This particular leg of the journey was in good spirits and the extremely dangerous, as two of the West passengers spending Kebar’s sister ships had been torpedoed their time feeling very and sunk on this route. A heavy fog pleased about the helped the ship pass without incident to prospect of a fairly its next point in Nigeria. From there she early and safe arrival in went on to Lagos, Nigeria, where she the United States,” would pick up her last ill-fated cargo. Smith wrote. When the West Kebar was ready for On wartime footing, seagoing ships ule was to be all shot to bits,” Smith her long journey homewards, it was were required to observe a complete and wrote afterwards. with this cargo: 5,620 tons of man- total blackout at night. The captain made his after-dinner ganese ore, (vital to the war effort); 950 “Life at night is not so pleasant on rounds of the deck, after an uneventful tons of palm oil; 450 tons of crude sheet shipboard, as it is too hot inside the cab- day. Smith distributed chewing gum to rubber and 600 tons of mahogany logs. ins to remain there with the lights on the grateful passengers, who had missed Capt. Smith was concerned over the and all opening closed. That leaves little extras from home, like gum. “very grave and dangerous” condition nothing to do at night but to sit around Volunteering to get them some more, he the ship would be in if the vessel’s shell and talk and even that becomes a bore began to move along the rail to his plating was ruptured. The heavy ore was after subjects of conversation have cabin. distributed evenly through the holds, to become scarce,” Smith observed. It was at this moment, looking out to the buoyancy limit of the ship. Should Nine passengers were aboard this leg sea, that he spotted the incoming torpe- one hold be penetrated, as was the case of the journey, including one woman, do. It struck 35 feet from where he on many ore-laden ships, buoyancy Mrs. Elizabeth Fowler, the American- stood. The explosion heavily shook the ceases and the ship sinks almost imme- born wife of a Gold Coast doctor. The ship, shaking the stern with a whipping diately, resulting in a total loss of life. others were a mixture of miners and motion, which brought down the main When the West Kebar left its last missionaries who were soon to get to topmast. port, Takador, it was with 15 other know each other far better than they “When I saw, heard and felt the ships. Two left the convoy to pick up may have wished. explosion, which badly jarred me, but additional cargo. One of them, the S.S. Fire and abandon ship drills had been did not throw me off my feet, my first Scapa Flow, was captained by a one- conducted throughout the journey, with reaction was that of deep anger. I said to time shipmate and longtime friend of the ship’s crew well versed in emergency myself, ‘you dirty bastards, you can’t do Capt. Smith’s. The Scapa Flow was tor- procedures. Standing orders were issued that to me and my ship.’ When one real- pedoed shortly thereafter and most of regarding the launch of lifeboats, to izes I had command of the West Kebar its crew, and captain, were lost. avoid loss of life through premature for eight years to the day they know my Forming up with a 42-ship convoy launching. The captain required all per- remark was fully justified,” Captain and seven escorting vessels, the West sons to carry their life jackets and valu- Smith wrote afterwards. Kebar left the convoy to proceed to its ables, and to be familiar with emergency Going immediately to the bridge to destination in Trinadad. A radio mes- procedures. These were precautions stop the main engines and sound the The No. 4 lifeboat overflowing sage from Naval Operations in that would soon save lives. alarms, Smith found that the engines with people after 10 days at sea. Washington re-directed the ship to the The captain himself packed a water- had been blasted out of commission and Virgin Islands for a secret rendezvous, tight bag with clothing and vital equip- all circuits were dead. (All photos & illustrations which it would never reach. No one on ment, which, with tongue in cheek, he “The seaman who had been at the courtesy of Dwight Smith, Jr.) board could have imagined the fate that named his “Going Away Bag.” Sad to wheel was four feet away from the wheel say, he wrote, “it never went anywhere.” standard, looking foolish and dazed, On Oct. 28, 24 hours before the tor- with the wheel still in his hand,” he pedoing, Capt. Smith, through some recorded. premonition, perhaps, thought it wise to Retrieving his flashlight and lifejack- make provisions to save a few important et, the captain proceeded to inspect the papers and valuables by other means damage to his ship and the lifesaving than the “Going Away Bag.” These he equipment. Two of the four lifeboats stitched to his lifejacket, just in case. had been blasted to bits. Smith remained composed, and after assessing the dam- OCTOBER 29, 1942 WAS A part- age, saw to the needs of the crew and ly cloudy day, with passing rain squalls. passengers. At the current pace, home would be Two life rafts had already been reached by November 20. “Our sched- launched without orders and were lost
Page A8 - The Mountain Ear, Thursday, February 19, 2009 in the darkness. Of the two remaining gunned shipwreck survivors, the lifeboat bringing the lifeboat alongside in rough lifeboats, one had already left, with an passengers instinctively ducked down. seas, Smith was forced to detach the unknown number of men, and the other Words, rather than bullets were soon lifeboat from the life raft, which held an was in the water and completely filled heard through the rain. “What was the additional eight men. His plan was to with people. Smith made one last pass ship’s name?” asked a German sailor in reconnect the two boats later, but it was around the deck to check for stragglers, heavily accented English. never to happen. before thinking of his own escape. Since Smith answered, “West Kebar” and Once on the conning tower, Smith the sea was quite choppy, he decided not was ordered to board the submarine. met the U-boat commander who had to jump into the lifeboat for fear of Capt. Smith’s written account of the just sunk his ship. A barrage of questions injuring someone below. incident recounts his feelings at that followed regarding the Kebar’s cargo, Then came the moment for the last instant. destination and ports of call. The sub man on board, the captain, to leave his “That was the moment I felt sure my captain went on to taunt Smith with a sinking ship. number was up, and that the future for bit of psychological warfare, by telling “At this moment it was brought me meant that I would, if I survived the him that the allies were losing the war Drawing of the lifeboat home to me that a dead and dark ship passage, find myself in an internment and that the allied fleet in the Southwest and sea anchor on Oct. 31. with no soul other than oneself on camp either in Germany or occupied Pacific had been wiped out. board, was indeed a lonesome and drea- France.” (All photos & illustrations ry place. I went to the rail, shouted into Since getting on board the sub meant KEBAR continues Page A12 courtesy of Dwight Smith, Jr.) the darkness that I was coming over the side and jumped in. A couple of minutes swim brought me to the boat. I scram- bled and was dragged over the bow and found that it took a few minutes to regain my breath, before making my way to the stern, where I took command from the second officer,” Smith wrote of the experience. Shouts were heard from another direction, where Smith found a life raft with eight men on board. The 24-per- son lifeboat was overloaded with 35 people on board, and Smith hoped to equalize the distribution. As the West Kebar was still riding high, the captain began to make plans to re-board in the morning to salvage what could be saved and to further assess the damage. “At that moment,” Smith wrote, “there was a terrific explosion and a burst of flame lighted the sea. The poor old West Kebar had been torpedoed again from the other side. Our boat was no further away than 100 yards. This gave us a ring-side at the death of a good ship, which death nearly broke my heart.” The submarine commander had apparently waited for the ship to sink, and since it hadn’t, the U-boat was forced to expend another torpedo. The West Kebar broke in half and plunged to the bottom of the sea. In a steady rain, the occupants of the overcrowded lifeboat tried to get com- fortable (in a manner of speaking). In pitch blackness, with meager supplies, several hundred miles from the nearest landfall, the situation was quite serious. It was 15 minutes before the sound of rushing water marked a new threat — just 30 yards away, a long grey shape loomed up through the rain. The sub had surfaced.
DWIGHT SMITH, SR., CAP- tain of the merchant ship West Kebar, had just learned what it felt like to have his ship torpedoed out from under him. The day was October 29, 1942. True to naval tradition, Capt. Smith was the last man off his ship. After diving off the rail and swim- ming to an already overcrowded lifeboat, he witnessed the Kebar’s death blow, as a second torpedo split her in two and sent her swiftly to the ocean floor. A steady rain was falling on the 34 men and one woman who were squeezed in to the 20-person lifeboat. In the dark of the night little could be seen, but a distinct sound was heard —that of rushing water. Thirty yards away, a sub- marine was surfacing. Having heard tales of German U-boats that machine-
The Mountain Ear, Thursday, February 19, 2009 - Page A9 On the Rockpile
Week of Feb. 10 through Feb. 16 Summit experienced a breath of warm air to break 45 day streak
Franconia Ridge sticks up out of a sea of clouds. (Mount Washington Observatory Photo) WEATHER MT. WASHINGTON OBSERVATORY Compiled by Observatory Staff Date High Low Prec. Snow Feb. 10 32 10 0.01” T 11 34 27 0.25” T” 12 37 7 1.31” 5.40” 13 7 -9 0.03” 0.30” 14 5 -8 — — 15 1 2 0.01” 1.00” 16 14 4 T T Highest recorded wind gust,Feb. 13 & 14, 108 miles per hour out of the Northwest. By Brian Clark ing 34 degrees and breaking the aforemen- unexpectedly kept the summits mostly in MWO Observer and Meteorologist tioned streak of days without going above the fog with a few snow flurries flying at In non-weather related news, this week Mount Washington Observatory freezing. Precipitation with this storm times as well. also saw the arrival of a large group of stu- A STREAK WAS ENDED ON the started as freezing rain and rain, but quick- High pressure building in from the west dents from Germany. Every year for sever- mountain this week: 45 days (Dec. 28 to ly changed over to snow and sleet would eventually push out that moisture al years now, a professor from the Feb.10) without the temperature rising Thursday morning after the passage of an and clear fog off the summits, for the most University of Ruhr in Bochum, Germany, above the freezing mark. The low pressure initial cold front. An expected total of 5.4 part, on Monday. This allowed the crew to brings these groups of mostly geography system responsible for breaking that streak inches of snow was measured by the end of enjoy some real sunshine for the first time majors. They arrived on Sunday and will began to make its presence known last the storm. this shift. Also, winds became incredibly stay until this coming Saturday. While on Tuesday in the form of a warm surge of air, After the passage of the main cold front calm Monday afternoon, literally dropping the summit, they will be working on proj- bringing a high for the day of 32 degrees. associated with that low, temperatures to zero at times. These exceptionally calm ects that study the weather and other The center of the low tracked off to our plummeted into Saturday morning, even- winds, along with the sunshine and tem- unique phenomena that are seen on the west and up the St. Lawrence River valley tually settling at almost 10 below. Although peratures in the low teens, made it feel mountain. As always, it has been a lot of on Wednesday [Feb. 11], keeping the the center of the storm pulled away into quite warm outside and made for perfect fun having them on the summit, learning region on the warm side of the storm. This the Canadian Maritimes later on Saturday, weather for the crew to get out for some things about another culture and getting to continued to pull more warm air onto the it would continue to feed low level mois- hiking and skiing. know some great people. ▲ summits, with the high for the day reach- ture into the region well into Sunday. This Summit fox is one of three curious visitors In answer to our questions about the summit fox, whose photo was recently sent to us by the summit Observatory, a weather observer at the Mount Washington Observatory sent us the following information: The summit fox is actually one of be seen coming up in the afternoon or three that frequent the summit year early morning and then heading back round. They each have distinct looks down. They come up here to eat the such that State Park has given them vermin that live on and around the nicknames. They are more frequently summit year round. ▲ seen in the winter, since they are fearful of humans, but they do show up in the summer and eat scraps left by tourist after the summit closes. It is rare to see the three together, as they are compet- itive for food, but it does occur. They are very curious and will come within a few inches of people, trying to smell them out. In fact, pictures we have taken are not zoomed in; we are literally standing a foot or so away when we snap them. They also will fol- low us around because they are curious creatures and want to find out what we are doing. They occasionally sleep on the sum- mit under the old tank platform that the cog used to use, but more com- Photo Courtesy of Mount Washington monly they live below tree line and can Observatory