Frobisher Bay, NWT

1996 - A Visit to Crowell Island – Robert Eno

August, 1996

I first communicated with Robert Eno via the Internet in July 1996 with the hopes of obtaining some detail on the radar station which was located in Frobisher Bay between 1953 and 1961. Ongoing communication continued via the Internet. While this web site has been dedicated to those military radar stations which once formed the Pinetree Line, it was quite evident that the Frobisher Bay area would provide additional areas of interest.

During late July 1941, aerial reconnaisance of the Eastern Arctic was undertaken by the US and a potential site for an airfield was found at upper Frobisher Bay. Although it was too late in the season to start construction, the US was given permission to eatablish a weather station which was code-named Crystal II at Crowell Island. In October 1941 the personnel for this station were landed by ship at Crowell Island (on the south side of upper Frobisher Bay) and two buildings were constructed.

Crowell Island, the original site of Crystal II, proved to be too small for an air base so a new site was located at the head of Frobisher Bay on Koojesse Inlet. On August 1, 1942 surveyors were landed at the new site and by early September 200 men were there and the commissary store was in operation. By mid-September 1942 the hospital at Frobisher Bay was in operation. In late 1942 an American civilian contractor, Al Johnson Construction Company, had taken over the construction of the airfield and building accommodation for 800 personnel. Crowell Island was still in use as late as September 1942 but was likely closed shortly after this date.

The following photographs depict the the remains of Crowell Island as of August, 1996.


Click on the description text to view the photograph.
  1. Taken from the Radio site, facing southwest. The body of water is the Cinncinati Press Channel, or as it is more commonly known: the "Inside Channel" - August 1996.

  2. Crowell Island facing NNW - August 1996.

  3. Site of what is believed to be a former radio station and bunkhouse. We found a lot of copper wire and insulators in this spot, as well as boots, coats and old furniture - August 1996.

  4. Facing NNW. The area in the mid-left has a small amount of debris such as cables and a windlass. The area in the mid-ground is the site of what is believed to be a former radio station. A local family camps here every summer. - August 1996.

  5. Coal stove - August 1996.

  6. One of the many coal-burning stoves that we found scattered about the site. Many of these appear to be in useable condition - August 1996.

  7. Antenna support on the west edge of the "airstrip". This is about 20 meters below the generator site. - August 1996.

  8. A large flat area immediately to the east of the generator site. The smooth appearance in the photo belies a rough, hummocky wetland. Nevertheless, the presence of several flare pots seem to indicate that this area might have been used as an airstrip, perhaps in the winter. Photo facing ESE - August 1996.

  9. The "airstrip". A rusty flarepot can be seen beside the right leg of the 2nd person on the left. Photo facing east - August 1996.

  10. Two Onan gasoline-driven 5,000 watt generators found at a small site on a hill about 200 meters south east of the radio site. A coal stove can be seen on the extreme mid-right. We also found truck parts (filters) in this area. Photo facing ESE. - August 1996.

  11. The airstrip. Photo facing north - August 1996.

  12. Swampy area immediately below generator site - August 1996.

  13. Swampy area immediately below generator site - August 1996.

  14. Swampy area south of original site - August 1996.

Photographic Credits

All photos are used with permission.

Return to the Details Page
Index
Return to Top of Page

Updated: April 25, 2000