Coal Harbor
()
About this ebook
With winter fast approaching along with ice and snowstorms moving in, it appears to be just a typical winter season coming on to the forest rangers. That is until a Learjet crashes into a snowbank. After launching a rescue from the ranger station in near whiteout conditions, life on the quiet island suddenly becomes dangerous when it is learned that the aircraft cargo could be a large shipment of cocaine and the survivors could be wanted drug smugglers.
Read more from Michael J. Bryant
Outlaw Badge IV Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsAbandoned Farmhouse Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsRomance Upon a Storm 1929 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsOutlaw Badge II: Michael J Bryant Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsOutlaw Badge: Michael J Bryant Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsDistortion in Time: Michael J Bryant Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Road Beyond Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsLost At Sea Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSpooky Tales Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Last Flight: Michael J Bryant Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGhostly Wells and Mysterious Tales Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsJourney into the Unknown Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Dutch Harbor: Michael J Bryant Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Hiker Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsOutlaw Badge V Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Related to Coal Harbor
Related ebooks
Rocky Island Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsA Matter of Respect Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThree Years in the Klondike (Illustrated) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsNights of Ice: True Stories of Disaster and Survival on Alaska's High Seas Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/558 Degrees North: The Mysterious Sinking of the Arctic Rose Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Knee Deep in Antarctica... And Other Places Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Ghostly Tales of Door County Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBeneath the Waves: Newfoundland Sea Stories Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Last Cruise of the Saginaw Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsShipwrecks and Seafaring Tales of Prince Edward Island Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Maritime Tales of Lake Ontario Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSummary of Spike Walker's Coming Back Alive Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Coral Sea Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Three Years in the Klondike Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMayday!: Shipwrecks, Tragedies & Tales from Long Island's Eastern Shore Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Arctic Whaleman or, Winter in the Arctic Ocean Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBest Places to Bird in British Columbia Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsOld Peninsula Days: Tales and Sketches of the Door Peninsula Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsDiscovering Cat Island: Photographs and History Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Missing: Tales of those who never came home. Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsA Narrative of the Mutiny, on Board the Ship Globe, of Nantucket, in the Pacific Ocean, Jan. 1824 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsVoyagers of the Titanic: Passengers, Sailors, Shipbuilders, Aristocrats, and the Worlds They Came From Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Alaska's Icy Seas Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Catalina Connection Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFire on the Beach: Recovering the Lost Story of Richard Etheridge and the Pea Island Lifesavers Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Icebreaking Alaska Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBlock Island Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHard Rivers: The Untold Saga of La Salle: Expedition II Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Alaska, Its Southern Coast and the Sitkan Archipelago Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsShores of the Polar Sea: A Narrative of the Arctic Expedition of 1875-6 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Crime Thriller For You
The Paris Apartment: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Still Life: A Chief Inspector Gamache Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Razorblade Tears: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Girl Who Was Taken: A Gripping Psychological Thriller Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Pretty Girls: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Hallowe'en Party: Inspiration for the 20th Century Studios Major Motion Picture A Haunting in Venice Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5One of Us Is Dead Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Cain's jawbone Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Finn Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Lucky Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Sydney Rye Mysteries Box Set Books 10-12: Sydney Rye Rating: 1 out of 5 stars1/5Blacktop Wasteland: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Appeal: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5False Witness: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5These Silent Woods: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Silent Wife: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Dragon Teeth: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Pieces of Her: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Notes on an Execution: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Yellowface: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The 120 Days of Sodom (Rediscovered Books): With linked Table of Contents Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Justine: Good Conduct Well Chastised Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The Butcher Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Summit Lake Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Lady in the Lake: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Woman in the Library: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Club: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Aurora: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Boy Swallows Universe: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Related categories
Reviews for Coal Harbor
0 ratings0 reviews
Book preview
Coal Harbor - Michael J. Bryant
By
Michael J. Bryant
Copyright 2024 Lulu Author,
Michael J Bryant
All rights reserved.
ISBN 978-0-359-89396-6
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written permission of the author.
This is a work of fiction. All characters, names, places and events portrayed in this book are either products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. All contents herein, ideas, fictional events, characters, story lines, and anything else pertaining to this story of Coal Harbor, belong to the author Michael J Bryant, exclusively written and designed for this book alone.
Written By: Michael J. Bryant
Copyright By: Michael J. Bryant
Created January 31, 2009. All rights reserved.
US Copyright Office Washington, DC
Dedication
I would like to dedicate this book to all Law Enforcement officers and Agencies throughout the United States, including my own family members in the field.
Michael J. Bryant
January 31, 2009
Contents
Chapter 1 Coal Harbor Alaska
Chapter 2 Alaskan Bay
Chapter 3 She’s Going Down
Chapter 4 Sea Knight
Chapter 5 The Connections
Chapter 6 Trouble in Siberia
Chapter 7 The Crash Site
Chapter 8 Worst Blizzard Yet
Chapter 9 Escape
Chapter 10 Wrath of Vengeance
Chapter 11 A Surprising Development
Introduction
Coal Harbor is a small island located off the lower western corner of Alaska. It is a small fisherman’s paradise and serves as a resort during the warmer seasons. During the harsh winter months, the island can also remain under frozen snow and ice for up to six months.
With winter fast approaching along with ice and snowstorms moving in, it appears to be just a typical winter season coming on to the forest rangers. That is until a Learjet crashes into a snowbank. After launching a rescue from the ranger station in near whiteout conditions, life on the quiet island suddenly becomes dangerous when it is learned that the aircraft cargo could be a large shipment of cocaine and the survivors could be wanted drug smugglers.
Coal Harbor Alaska Chapter 1
There is an old, abandoned town located just below the rocks that start forming the huge mountain ranges which travel from Coal Harbor Island all the way to the mainland of Alaska. Back in the 1800’s it was first thought that coal could be mined from this fairly large sized island located northwest off the Alaskan coast but with so much volcanic rock in the area it proved to be a very tough job.
The mines, as well as the entire town built to house the miners and officials, were abandoned by the early 1900’s. Although the town still stands and is one of the main tourist attractions in the area, without power and modern-day technology the township will probably remain a ghost town.
There are also several ships which call Coal Harbor their home. The ships go out during the fishing season and the fishermen make their living catching fish from the sea. During the main part of winter, the ships remain frozen in ice at their berthing ports. Aside from the fishing season there were not many ways of making a living on the islands unless you were a forest ranger working in the state parks and who also would pull double duty at times as the only law on some of the islands. There were still spotty settlements here and there on Coal Harbor Island, but most people would leave during the extreme cold months.
Another tourist attraction on the island is an old three mast sailing vessel which appeared to be forever frozen in the landscape. How it became trapped and how it got so far away from the inlet remained a mystery. The ship is located about a half mile from any waterway, and it was believed that perhaps the harbor had extended more inland long ago.
Islanders and some experts have inspected the area and currently believe that the ship could have been a pirate ship dating back to the early 1800s. Many wondered, could there still be treasures aboard this ship which was buried in the sand nearly up to its main deck? Or did the pirates bury their treasure somewhere in the many caves combing the inlet?
At one time the news of the pirate ship and its discovery started a wave of treasure hunters and looters scouring over the entire area. Fearing that the ship might be vandalized, the state parks took possession of the property, and the site became protected by state law.
The bottom of the surrounding harbor is littered with other sunken vessels of various ages and sizes from over the years. This made an interesting dive for tourists as well as for locals on the island. There were fishing ships, small boats, cargo vessels, a few seaplanes and several old sailing ships which were probably used in exploration adventures long ago. Most of their fates remained a mystery around Coal Harbor Island while other’s fates were blamed on the freezing storms and harsh seas. Just before the bad weather sets in over the island and surrounding areas, ships, puddle jumpers and seaplanes carry most of the islanders and tourists to Anchorage or beyond. Once the freezing cold sets in and the harbor freezes over, there just isn’t any way of returning or leaving the island for several months. Most residents which chose to stay know that they had better have ample supplies for the winter months ahead.
Sometimes the winter freezes could last from November through June and if you wanted to leave you would have to catch a boat or plane off the island before November. After the harbor froze up, there was no way to run supplies to the island by ship and if the temperature was fifty degrees below zero or lower, the planes could not fly in without endangering themselves and their cargo.
Coal Harbor Island has a small ranger station located about three miles inland. The ranger station is equipped with two patrol boats at the harbor and one small plane with skids. The plane can take off and land from a small snow-covered landing strip cut out of the wilderness. They also have several vehicles. These vehicles consisted of snowmobiles, a couple of all terrain jeeps and a new snow vehicle which traveled over nearly any terrain.
The snow tractor, as it was normally called, traveled on tank tracks rather than wheels. It could travel a great distance carrying supplies or people depending on its mission status. The snow tractor could seat up to four people at a time. The multipurpose vehicle could plow snow or travel during blizzard conditions without too much trouble in case of emergencies. Without it, the rangers would be stranded at the station during snowstorms and freezing weather.
The small ranger station houses six rangers during tourist season and there are only two rangers that stay behind during the winter months. The mission of the rangers who chose to remain on the island during the winter season have a variety of duties to perform. They patrol the protected areas, give help during emergencies to those remaining on the island and perform any duties necessary, weather permitting.
They could usually stay in contact with the outside world during the winter months with modern day satellite communications. Telephones were a main source of communication long as the telephone lines did not fail. There was also a ship to shore and a citizen’s band base station radio for staying in touch with the locals and they were manned and monitored continually.
With the second winter storm brewing off the coast, the island was still coated with a thin layer of ice and snow from the last storm. The temperatures during the day were averaging around twenty degrees and when nightfall came the temperature dropped below zero. In early November most of the rangers were preparing to leave the island. One more day of widespread patrolling and the rangers would be cut back to only two officers to man the station for the winter. Like the winter before, Kevin Turner and Betty Hopkins would be staying behind.
As the team of rangers gathered at the front desk counter of the ranger station where Betty was monitoring communications, Dave commented, Guess I’d better fill up my coffee thermos before I leave for the scattered settlements. I highly doubt that I’ll be able to get a refill out there. Most of the residences should be gone by now.
Al always has a pot of coffee on,
Kevin admitted, Stop by his shack and he’ll take care of you.
Patrolling the settlements is a lot better than patrolling the pirate ship area and the many caves, where I never see anyone,
Brian complained a little.
I enjoy my patrols,
Kevin boasted, Patrolling the docks and waterways allows me time to speak to a lot of people and get coffee as well.
We’re going to trade off patrol routes next year,
Brian told them, I need a change of scenery.
You only have one more day of patrolling before you guys leave for the winter so I don’t want to hear any complaining,
Kevin replied, I’m the one that will be here patrolling everything myself until you guys show back up in the spring.
You volunteered,
Dave said with a smile.
True enough but this is my last winter on the island,
he explained, You guys are going to have to figure out which two of you will be here next winter.
Holding up one hand as if directing someone to stop, Dave quickly announced, Don’t even look my way. Besides, I must get going on patrol.
While Dave finished filling up his coffee thermos from the brewing steamy pot on the counter, Brian also admitted, I have to get going myself.
Looking at his watch and realizing that it was getting late, Kevin then said, I’d better get down to the docks, myself.
Aren’t you going to give me a hug and a kiss first?
Betty wanted to know, now looking at Kevin.
Before Kevin could reply, Brian rushed around to the backside of the counter and over to where Betty was seated monitoring the radio system and said, Hey good looking, you can hug and kiss me.
Everyone knew each other very well and had worked together for years so no one took offense when one of the rangers played around with their affections toward the women. If they weren’t flirting around with Betty, they would be doing it to the other radio operator Doris Page. Once Brian leaned down and hugged Betty, she playfully gave him a kiss on the cheek.
That’s so you won’t feel left out darling,
she told him with a grin.
Smiling from ear to ear, he quickly replied, I don’t feel left out anymore, beautiful.
Nudging Brian on the shoulder in a playful way, Kevin was now standing directly behind Brian when he said, Hey, quit cutting in on my territory pal unless you want to trade places with me for the winter?
No way, my friend,
Brian explained, I’m leaving on patrol right now and when I return, I’m packing my stuff up.
That’s what I thought,