April, 1975
Tragedy was averted late Saturday evening when the occupants of a capsized canoe were towed to shore in Lutak Inlet opposite the ferry terminal and then brought safely back by the ferry LeConte.
Russ Needham and Terry Wheelock of Haines spent about a half hour in the frigid water after their canoe swamped. They had been at Tayasaka Harbor with Steve and Sandy Lindahl, and the group, in two canoes, had begun the return trip when the water began to get rough. Twice they waited out the weather, letting the waves abate. The third time, while heading for the ferry terminal, the canoe with Needham and Wheelock shipped water and capsized.
The Lindahls tied the canoe to their own, and Wheelock and Needham hung on to the Lindahls’ canoe while the group attempted to cross the inlet to the ferry terminal. However, they were unable to make adequate headway, and finally the swamped canoe was cut loose and the group headed back to the shore from which they’d set out.
When they reached land, the two victims were on the verge of shock, and were placed in down sleeping bags for warmth while a signal fire was started. In addition, Steve Lindahl fired distress gunshots, and flares, as well as flashing SOS with a flashlight.
The MV LeConte, approaching Haines from Skagway, sent a small boat ashore and brought the group aboard the ferry. There they were given treatment for shock and made comfortable until the ferry reached the terminal.
“Their service was really outstanding – those men and women aboard the ship were super. They really went out of their way,” Needham said later.