History of Smokejumping
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1939
The Birth of Smokejumping
At the beginning of the 1939 field season, the Aerial Experimental
Project was transferred from California to the North Pacific Region
(Region 6). David P. Godwin, Assistant Chief of Fire Control, was in charge, with Lage
Wernstedt representing the Region and Harold King as Forest Service
pilot. It was during this summer that the
decision was made to abandon the bombing tests, and on Godwin's
recommendation, the unexpended balance of experimental funds was
authorized for carrying on a parachute jumping experiment. A contract
was prepared providing for parachutes, protective clothing, and the
services of professional riggers and jumpers, the Eagle Parachute
Company of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, being the successful bidder. The
experiment was conducted at Winthrop, Washington, on the Chelan National
Forest during the period October 5 to November 15, with Beach Gill of
the Eagle Company serving as consultant and collaborator under
appointment of the Secretary of Agriculture. A small group of
professional jumpers, with Frank M. Derry in charge conducted a number
of dummy tests and approximately 60 live jumps were made, largely by
employees of the contractor. Toward the end of the experiment, several
Forest Service employees were allowed to jump into both open-field
and timbered areas. There were no injuries of consequence.
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The 30 foot diameter Eagle parachute was the first canopy style used
by the smokejumpers. Used until 1944.
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The selected training outfit, consisting of Eagle 30-foot
backpack and 27-foot emergency chest-pack canopies with
quick-attachable harness, appeared to be satisfactory, while a
two-piece, felt-padded suit, football helmet with
wire-mesh face mask, athletic supporter, ankle braces, combined
back and abdominal brace, and heavy logger boots completed the attire of
the jumper and provided protection from the hitherto unknown hazards of
timber jumping. The conclusions were that smokejumpers could land safely
in all kinds of green timber cover common to the Chelan National Forest
at altitudes ranging from 2,000 to 6,800 feet. Successful jumps were
also made in mountain meadows, open ridgetops and on steep,
boulder-strewn slopes.
smokejumping/sec1.htm
Last Updated: 12-Sep-2011 |
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