This Week In Alaska History 7/19-7/25. Whale Attacks Steam Vessel Near Akutan!

July 19, 1917: Steam Whaling Vessel Tanginak Attacked by Whale

On this day, the steam whaling vessel Tanginak was attacked by a whale while heading north from Akutan in the Bering Sea. The collision damaged the ship’s steering system, forcing the crew to abandon their whaling pursuit and retreat. This incident highlights the dangers faced by Alaska’s early 20th-century whalers, whose industry was vital to the region’s economy but fraught with peril from the unpredictable marine environment.

Whaling station along the harbor at Akutan ca. 1915

July 20, 1897: Carl Ben Eielson, Pioneer Aviator, Born

Carl Ben Eielson, born in North Dakota, would later become one of Alaska’s most celebrated aviators. His pioneering flights, including the first airmail service in Alaska and Arctic exploration, revolutionized transportation and communication in the territory. Eielson Air Force Base near Fairbanks is named in his honor, a testament to his lasting legacy in Alaskan aviation.

Carl Ben Eielson

July 23, 1906: First Wireless Telegraph Station Established in Alaska

The U.S. Army Signal Corps established Alaska’s first wireless telegraph station at Fort Gibbon near Tanana. This marked a critical advancement in communication, connecting remote Alaskan outposts with the rest of the world. The station facilitated faster coordination for military, trade, and administrative purposes, helping integrate Alaska into the broader American infrastructure.

Morse Key

July 25, 1910: First Ascent of Denali’s North Peak

Denali 3D

Mountaineer Thomas Lloyd and his team made the first recorded ascent of Denali/Mount McKinley's North Peak, a significant achievement in Alaskan mountaineering history. At the time, it was the highest peak in North America, and this climb demonstrated the rugged determination of early Alaskan explorers, further cementing the region’s reputation for adventure and challenge.