31 Mar 1964
Page 1
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Newspaper
Medicine Hat News
Location
Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada
Date
Mar 31, 1964
Page
1
Residents of Alberni and Port Alberni faced a rare West Coast tidal surge over Easter weekend. The city of about 20,000 woke to a gurgling swell like water draining from a giant tub, heard from ships and shores as they endured the first major wave in local history.
Early Saturday the sea rose without a surge, flooding low areas in Alberni and Port Alberni for six hours of terror. Police and rescue squads recorded no loss of life as waves topped a foot per minute for ten minutes, then receded while residents safeguarded families and grabbed essentials.
Mrs. Yvonne Halliwell fled with her two children as a foot of water flooded the kitchen of a downtown Alberni home. The water rose quickly, lifting the frame house off its foundation and carrying it down the street like a ship. A friend found the house dry atop rubble half a mile away. Another residence vanished. at Macmillan Bloedel Powell River workers fought to save machinery as logs crashed through windows and salt water inundated the plant. Workers escaped via high lumber carriers, watching shocking scenes unfold in the main street.
Kurt Nielsen and his family rode to safety on the roof as floodwaters from Kitsu kess Creek and the River Somas surged through homes. A car crash hurled a red leather seat into a tree while darkness and noise filled the night. Restice boatmen navigated in darkness to evacuate residents and relocate families by boat.
In the frantic hours after a disaster an idling scene unfolds with boats, log booms, and ships drifting past Cars. A small church drifts into the recreation ground center as acts of heroism and kindness emerge as people aid friends and strangers. Children separated from families are miraculously reunited. Details fade in the rush.
Walter Doskoch of Edmonton claimed Alberta and Saskatchewan Teamsters pledged support for Hoffa's defence. Robert Scott, secretary-treasurer of Teamsters Local 987 Alberta, denied any agreement and said Doskoch was no longer employed. Scott noted the $1 per member levy discussion was about the appeal fund but not a commitment.
In the Pacific nine people were aboard a military charter DC-4 when it ditched on Saturday. Coast Guard Lieut. Robert Finan said search vessels and five military aircraft and three ships have heard emergency radio signals but with signals too weak to locate bearings. The operation covers about 59 000 square miles as crews crisscross the area.
Alaska civil defence reports 178 dead or presumed dead after Friday's earthquake and massive tidal waves. Kodiak Island shows the heaviest losses while Fairbanks reports suggest widespread destruction and many missing. New aftershocks continue as seismographs record over 60 shocks since the quake.
The Alaska earthquake moved the U S capital and eastern seaboard about two inches, then returned to its original level. Washington ground rose about an inch, sank two inches, then rose again over two hours. Movements were detected by new Bureau of Standards instruments and likely mirrored elsewhere.
SWIFT CURRENT Sask CP two city residents were killed in a two car head on collision at an intersection early today ending 1090 fatality free days in this centre of about 13000 Police identified them as Arnold Clark Lawley formerly of Drumheller Alta and Virginia Carol Smith 23 formerly of Carmichael Sask Rudolph Bechert of Swift Current the sole occupant of the second car was in fair condition in hospital with head injuries lacerations abrasions and a dislocated hip
In Ottawa the Commons clashed over who bears blame for a Good Friday sitting and a rushed transfer of farm duties. MPs hurled personal abuse amid debate on 240 million dollars in supplementary estimates for 1963-64 and behind the scenes moves to shorten the Easter recess. Opposition leader Diefenbaker led the charge against the government on ritual backtracking and accountability.
Premier Nikita Khrushchev arrives in Budapest for talks with Hungarian Communist leaders amid Sino Soviet split tensions. Hungarian party reportedly supports Moscow in any dispute with Beijing, as Khrushchev pledges cordial talks and continued exchange of views.
Ottawa reports royal assent on a bill changing Trans-Canada Air Lines to Air Canada. The bilingual name becomes effective in about a year after quick Commons and Senate approval. Government spending of 684 120 260 is authorized for the first two months of the new fiscal year. Jean Chrétien sponsored the private bill.
In Nicosia the Turkish Cypriots accuse Canadian UN troops of allowing Greek Cypriot police to patrol in a Turkish village. They call the police armed EOKA terrorists in uniform and threaten village women. Greek Cypriots deny the charge. Calm is reported on the island after two Monday incidents where British UN troops fired in self defense. The Kyrenia incident involved Greek Cypriots firing at a 12 man UN patrol by mistake.
Washington AP General Douglas MacArthur remains in critical condition at Walter Reed Army Hospital. Doctors report intermittent esophageal bleeding controlled by a tube, while heart function and vital signs stay stable. A possible stomach ulcer is not yet confirmed, as Heaton notes multiple surgeries in 24 days. Kidney function loss was reported earlier.
Edmonton CP report says Coleman mayor John Ostash remains critical after inhaling carbon monoxide at his Coleman Alberta home. He was moved to Edmonton from Blairmore for kidney treatment. Three children Edward 18 Allan 15 and Mary Jane 12 died from the gas. Mrs Ostash released from Blairmore Hospital Monday.
Security surrounds the federal provincial conference in Quebec as officials discuss future joint programs and funding shifts. Talks cover hospital insurance welfare, tax sharing and equalization, with Quebec opposing Ottawa’s tax control. Premier Lesage warns against federal encroachment.
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