Northwest History. Alaska. Mercy Flights.

• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 1936
• Subjects: doctors; mercy flights; Juneau; Alaska; Joseph Sheldon; Bristol bay; typhoid fever; seaplane; the north Pacific; Bering sea; Governor Troy; Benjamin L. Grimes; Mae Riebette; Thelma Shirlver; M. Oyard; serum; Northwest; Pacific > History > 20th century; Bering Sea; Pacific
• Online Access: http://content.libraries.wsu.edu/cdm/ref/collection/clipping/id/90367

Doctor And Aids Head For North: "Mercy Flight" For Typhoid Sufferers Started. "Mercy Flight" for Typhoid Sufferers Started JUNEAU, Alaska, July 24 (AP)— Another chapter in the northland's famed series of "mercy flights" was begun here today when Pilot Joseph Sheldon took off with a physician, three trained nurses and serum for the northern shores of Bristol bay, where a serious outbreak of typhoid fever, described as near-epidemic in proportions, was reported raging. The route of the seaplane was 725 miles across the north Pacific and out over portions of Bering Non-Stop Flight Planned The epidemic reports were made to Governor Troy's office via radio—the only means of communication between the Bristol bay sector and the outside world. Sheldon apparently was intent on making a non-stop flight. In the plane were the territorial sanitary engineer, Dr. Benjamin L. Grimes, and trained nurses Mae Riebette, Thelma Shiriver and M. Oygard. Dr. Grimes carried the serum and other equipment.