17th District Office of Public Affairs
U.S. Coast Guard

Date: Dec. 29, 2005
Contact: Petty Officer Christopher D. McLaughlin
(907) 487-5700
After 4 p.m. Alaska Standard Time, (907) 463-2000

Photo Release

Official Coast Guard Photo Release

Observer of historic journey visits Kodiak

For a high resolution version, click the photo number or the photo below

051229-C-0326M-500-Wood

KODIAK, Alaska – Cmdr. Jim McCauley, Commanding Officer of the Coast Guard cutter Storis, gives Tim Wood, son of retired Cmdr. Harold Wood, the former Commanding Officer of the Storis in 1957 a tour of the entire ship here Wednesday afternoon.

Tim Wood was 13-years-old when he began a historic journey on July 1 1957, with his father aboard the Coast Guard cutter Storis.

The crew of the Storis accompanied the crews of the cutters Bramble and SPAR to search for a deep draft channel through the Arctic Ocean and to collect hydrographic information.

The transit ended a 450-year search for the Northwest Passage a route for large ships across the top of North America.

The Storis became the first U.S. registered vessel to circumnavigate the North American continent.

The Storis was reassigned to its new homeport here shortly after that journey.

“It’s a thrill to see all of the electronics now modern and state of the art,” said Tim Wood. “It is phenomenal the Storis has had 60 years of active use because that’s not a common thing.”

Cmdr. McCauley presented Wood with a cutter Storis ball cap and a coffee mug. Wood’s wife, daughter, granddaughter, and son-in-law were also present during the tour. (Official Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer Christopher D. McLaughlin)

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