Pituffik Space Base (formerly Thule Air Base) Archive of 15 photos documenting the construction of the temporary Port of Thule. Circa 1951

Published by No publisher, No Place

About this Item

8 by 10 inch glossy photos. No publisher, place or date. The photographs are loosely contained in a manila folder with the name of Colonel L.B. de Long typed on it. Affixed to the interior is a copy of a letter addressed to someone working for an insurance company, dated September 9, 1952. This letter suggests meeting a John Mead and Colonel L.B. deLong who apparently handled "lots of interesting towage and construction projects in Alaska, Greenland [etc.]." The photographs are primarily shots of the pier that would make the Port of Thule, being constructed, depicting metal pipes, platforms, etc., with some icebergs visible, as well as Dundas Mountain in the background. One shot depicts two former Navy vessels, which may have been used as temporary housing for workers. They are the USNS General Stuart Heintzelman and the USNS General A W Greely. One photo depicts a ship moored, and another depicts a ship just offshore. Pituffik Space Base (Thule Air Base) was originally built in 1951 and is the northernmost US military installation. It has gained more interest recently due to a US president's inane obsession with Greenland. The website icyseas . org indicates that the Port of Thule is the northernmost deep water port in the world and was constructed in three weeks. It was meant to be a temporary port but is still in use today. It also appears from that website, that the pier depicted in these photos is sometimes referred to as the deLong Pier. These are from an executive of a very large international insurance firm (name of owner and firm withheld for privacy). The owner was a highly placed executive in an insurance company and travelled throughout the world extensively. They were active in politics through donations and fundraising, and it appears their family was friendly with the Roosevelts, especially Eleanor Roosevelt. The previous owner's work for the insurance company led them to meet with various heads of state worldwide, including US government officials. Some of the people associated with this firm were also involved in World War II activities, including financing the Flying Tigers in China, as well as work for the OSS, using knowledge gained from insurance work. While we have not found any direct connection to intelligence work by this owner, their ties to those who did are strong. Photos in VERY GOOD condition with minor toning and general curling.

Seller Inventory # 021224

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Pituffik Space Base (formerly Thule Air Base) Archive of 15 photos documenting the construction of the temporary Port of Thule. Circa 1951
• Publisher: No publisher, No Place
• Binding: Unbound
• Condition: Very Good
• Seller catalogs:
  • Military/ War
  • Americana