Northwest History. Alaska. Eskimos.

• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 1930
• Subjects: Alaska natives; airplane; pilots; Seward; Alaska; navigation; dog teams; tribesmen; Ben Eielson; Nanuk; motorship; Moose-Ptarmigan Ben; department of aviation; commercial and private planes; temperatures; Northwest; Pacific > History > 20th century; Eielson; Pacific; eskimo*
• Online Access: http://content.libraries.wsu.edu/cdm/ref/collection/clipping/id/90794

Alaska Natives Study Airplanes And Aid Pilots. Alaska natives study airplanes and aid pilots SEWARD, Alaska, Dec. 25.—(U.P)— Syk scrapers, technicolor and free wheeling eights hold no significance for Alaskan natives, but the latest devices in air navigation form the chief hobby of many whose only means of navigation used to be skin boats and dog teams. Terror and fear accompanied the first sight natives had of a "wonder bird." Tribesmen fled with their families from their villages, chanting and praying. But when they saw the big bird resting on its skis, they joined hands and danced around it shouting "moose-ptarmigan!" Ben Eielson, who was killed while flying to the relief of the icebound motorshlp Nanuk, was greeted by the natives as the popular "wonder bird driver." He was accepted as a member of the tribe, and given the name of "Moose-Ptarmigan Ben." Development of aviation in Alaska has been rapid, and a network of airlines covers the territory. Commercial and private planes have supplanted dog sled and native boat to such an extent that "wonder birds" are common sights. When a pilot is down the natives are quick to assist him. They bring their finest .robes to cover the motor, protecting It against the subzero temperatures. They help refuel, tramp down snow for a runway and stand vigil over a plane during a storm. The individual native is delighted with the instrument board, and becomes the pilot's life-long friend if permitted to tinker with a spare spark plug or wipe off the propeller. All original fear has passed, and natives are fascinated by airplanes.