Images from the Aleutians, ca. 1980

Gardyloo · Apr 10, 2021

I've been scanning old slides for some time now and thought some of these pictures from the Aleutian region of Alaska might be of interest. I worked in the area for several years, but only took my camera with me a few times, so the collection is not as extensive as I'd like, but it is what it is.

The pictures were mostly taken with a Nikkormat FT, using typically a 43-86mm Nikkor macro-zoom or a 105mm Nikkor short tele lens, usually on Kodachrome 64 media. Some of the colors and contrast are less than ideal due to the film discoloring and fading in the 40 years since they were taken, but hopefully the subject matter is interesting. I've also converted some to B&W due to more extensive fading or color shifts.

The Grumman Goose that I "commuted" on extensively, shown here on the beach at King Cove, Alaska.

The old Russian Orthodox church (ca. 1820) and the priest's house in Unalaska (aka Dutch Harbor)

The old Orthodox cemetery on a hillside

WW II buildings, Unalaska. The town was bombed by the Japanese but never invaded. The local residents, mostly Native Aleuts, were forcibly relocated to internment camps during the military occupation.

Fish processors at Unalaska/Dutch Harbor, before the town became popularized on the Deadliest Catch TV series.

Scenes from Akutan Island

Akutan Bay from the head of the bay - we were looking for a site to install a micro-hydro generation plant; at the time the village's electric supply (DC, not AC) came from a 60 year old Pelton wheel.

Floating processors and fishing boats in Akutan Bay

Akutan village scenes

Old Russian Orthodox church, Akutan

The icon over the door