Ch 11, Pt 2: "Mary Storms into Alaska"

Chapter 11: "Mary Storms  into Alaska,"  pt 2

click on picture for larger image: these pictures are the one which appear in the book for this chapter.

Cordova Wharf in the 1930s  --Laurie Nyman Collection They stood at the edge of the ship’s rail looking down at the dock. The skies were overcast and a light rain fell. A warm, mild wind blew gently. The main storm had moved on, leaving gradually clearing summer skies. Below them were steel rails which extended close to the berth. An observation car was backed up to the ship. In front of the coach, facing away from the ship, was mogul engine No. 102, quietly puffing steam and ready to pick up the guests and move on. “Look, dear. That’s another special private coach down there. They fixed it up just for us and named it The Kennecott.” “What? Another Kennecott?” “Maybe my company lacks imagination, but the staff means well. They fixed this one up for us to make our run up to the real town of Kennecott. We’ll have a nice, pleasant trip into the Copper River valley. You’ll love it. The private car is waiting to take us into town. In a few days, we’ll ride it up the rails. We have a special staff for it right here.” CRNW coaches abandoned at the Cordova roundhouse in 1943. On the left is Coach No. 100, "The Kennecott."  --Cordova Museum The coach on the left was the original business car for the CRNW Railway, later converted to a dining car, and finally an observation car. “Stephen, I thought that the first Kennecott looked plain. This one looks like an ordinary railroad car--and it’s wood, not steel. How quaint. I don’t like quaint. Is that all they have?” “That’s the superintendent’s personal car. He had it converted just for our personal use. It’s very comfortable and it has a nice ride. I know. I’ve been on it before. You’ll be fine, Darling.” “Why’d you have to drag that big locomotive along with us?” “Number 74? It’s the one which will pull us up the line. Great, isn’t it?” “Stephen, if you drag me along on this trip of yours, I’ll never forgive you.” “Well, try to forgive me, Mary, because we’re both going. We leave for Chitina in two days. We’re committed and that’s that.” The couple walked down the gangplank like royalty, arm-in-arm, smiling and waving at the small crowd. The appearance was impressive, leaving no hint of the growing discord which was developing between Stephen and Mary. Mary smiled and pretended she was happy to be in Cordova. Stephen was satisfied with the deceptive appearance. Mary was well-practiced in that. They entered the coach from the open deck at the rear. Stephen’s aid Dermot helped Mary onto the high step from above, while Stephen pushed from below. “That’s a most undignified way to enter a coach, Stephen.” CRNW passenger train backed up to the Cordova wharf   --Candy Waugaman collection “I’m sorry, dear. It’s just built that way. Look around you.” The coach had over-sized plate-glass windows which greatly enhanced the viewing while creating a warm, bright atmosphere. The rear observation and dining room was tastefully furnished, right down to the the light-red oak wood finish. The chairs were the plush red velvet which had become standard in the CRNW coaches, except these were of a higher grade and were far more comfortable. The high ceiling boasted ornate chandeliers. It was not up to New York City standards, but it pleasantly surprised and pleased Mary. “Stephen, I believe this will do nicely. Plush-frontier ornate decor, how impressively different. Yes, this will do. I can live with this.” The other women of the party boarded behind Mary. All sat in the lounge that had been carefully, tastefully, and expensively designed to display in a slightly understated way the power and even majesty that was the company which was best embodied by Stephen Birch himself. The tracks ran along a curved trestle above the ocean water. When it reached the shore the train slowed and then stopped at a small depot. “We’re here, Mary. A wagon will be there waiting to pick us up at the station. The Windsor is only a few blocks away.” The hotel was as close to a luxury-class accommodation as one could find in Alaska in those days. Mary was not impressed, but it would have to do. This time, since she was still feeling the ill-effects of the ocean voyage and was not up to her usual impossible self, she kept her thoughts to herself. She would have plenty of time later to make up for it.   Windsor Hotel in Cordova  --Van Cleve Collection   1910 Map of Cordova  -- click for enlarged view   --Simpson Files   Continue with Chapter 12: "Mary and Stephen Birch Arrive at Childs Glacier"