The Ghost Town of View Cove, Dall Island, Alaska
View the SS Diamond Cement at View Cove
What is now the Ghost Town of View Cove on Dall Island, Alaska, located in South Eastern Alaska, about 45 miles west of Ketchikan, and about 6 miles southwest of Hydaburg, which is located on Prince of Wales Island. View Cove operated as a limestone quarry camp where crushed limestone was quarried and shipped to Seattle, WA where it was made into Portland Cement. It operated a an active quarry from about 1928 to about 1942 when it was shut down because of World War II.
View of the SS Diamond Cement Approaching the Dock at View Cove, 1938.
The SS Diamond Cement made one round trip each week between Seattle and View Cove. It brought in mail, fresh milk and groceries as well as any other needed supplies. The SS Diamont Cement was owned and operated by the Superior Portland Cement Co. who also owned the quarry.
The SS Diamond Cement Being Loaded with Crushed Limestone
Loading of the SS Diamond cement would begin immediately upon arrival, regardless of what time of day or night that it would arrive at View Cove. We enjoyed the frequent time and half pay that we received while running the converor belt to load the crushed limestone onto the ship.