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Coordinates: 52°43′27″N 174°07′08″E / 52.72417°N 174.11889°E / 52.72417; 174.11889
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{{Short description|Site in the Aleutian Islands archipelago}}
[[Image:Western Aleutians.png|thumb|upright=1.5|5 - Shemya Island]]
[[Image:Western Aleutians.png|thumb|upright=1.5|5 - Shemya Island]]


'''Shemya''' or '''Simiya''' ({{lang-ale|Samiyax̂}}<ref name="Bergsland">{{cite book | first=K. | last=Bergsland | authorlink=Knut Bergsland | year=1994 | title=Aleut Dictionary |publisher=Alaska Native Language Center |location=Fairbanks }}</ref>) is a small island in the [[Semichi Islands]] group of the [[Near Islands]] chain in the [[Aleutian Islands]] [[archipelago]] southwest of [[Alaska]], at {{coord|52|43|27|N|174|07|08|E |scale:500000_region:US-AK_type:isle |display=inline,title}}. It has a land area of {{cvt|5.903 |sqmi|km2}}, and is about {{convert|1200 |mi|km}} southwest of [[Anchorage, Alaska]]. It is {{convert|4.39 |km|mi|disp=flip}} wide and {{convert|6.95 |km|mi|disp=flip}} long.
'''Shemya''' or '''Simiya''' ({{langx|ale|Samiyax̂}}<ref name="Bergsland">{{cite book | first=K. | last=Bergsland | author-link=Knut Bergsland | year=1994 | title=Aleut Dictionary |publisher=Alaska Native Language Center |location=Fairbanks }}</ref>) is a small island in the [[Semichi Islands]] group of the [[Near Islands]] chain in the [[Aleutian Islands]] [[archipelago]] southwest of [[Alaska]], at {{coord|52|43|27|N|174|07|08|E |scale:500000_region:US-AK_type:isle |display=inline,title}}. It has a land area of {{cvt|5.903 |sqmi|km2}}, and is about {{convert|1200 |mi|km}} southwest of [[Anchorage, Alaska]]. It is {{convert|4.39 |km|mi|disp=flip}} wide and {{convert|6.95 |km|mi|disp=flip}} long.


==History==
==History==
[[File:Shemya island Cable Bowl N shore.jpg|thumb|Shemya Island north shore]]
[[File:Shemya island Cable Bowl N shore.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|Shemya Island north shore]]
The Russian vessel ''Saint Peter and Paul'' wrecked at Shemya in 1762. Most of the crew survived.
The Russian vessel ''Saint Peter and Paul'' wrecked at Shemya in 1762. Most of the crew survived.


A [[United States Air Force]] [[radar]], surveillance, and [[weather station]] and aircraft refueling station, including a 10,000&nbsp;ft (3&nbsp;km) long runway, opened on Shemya in 1943 and is still in operation. The station, originally [[Shemya Air Force Base]] or Shemya Station, had 1,500 workers at its peak in the 1960s. In 1956, [[Northwest Airlines]] leased Shemya Island from the U.S. government to use as a refueling station on their North Pacific route. According to Northwest's website, that made them "the first airline to operate its own airport."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nwa.com/corpinfo/upclose/1950.shtml |title=Northwest Historical Timeline |website=About NWA |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090314053721/http://www.nwa.com/corpinfo/upclose/1950.shtml |archive-date=2009-03-14}}</ref> Northwest was operating [[Lockheed Constellation]] L-1049G model propliners on its "Orient Express" service between the U.S. and Asia in 1956.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.timetableimages.com/ttimages/complete/nw56/|date=Oct 28, 1956|publisher=Northwest Airlines|title=System timetable}}</ref>
In 1943, a [[United States Air Force]] [[radar]], surveillance, and [[weather station]] and aircraft refueling station, including a {{convert|10000|ft|m|adj=mid|-long}} runway, opened on Shemya and is still in operation. At its peak in the 1960s, the station, originally [[Shemya Air Force Base]] or Shemya Station, had 1,500 workers. In 1956, [[Northwest Airlines]] leased Shemya Island from the U.S. government to use as a refueling station on their North Pacific route. According to Northwest's website, that made them "the first airline to operate its own airport."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nwa.com/corpinfo/upclose/1950.shtml |title=Northwest Historical Timeline |website=About NWA |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090314053721/http://www.nwa.com/corpinfo/upclose/1950.shtml |archive-date=2009-03-14}}</ref> Northwest was operating [[Lockheed Constellation]] [[Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation|L-1049G model]] propliners on its "Orient Express" service between the U.S. and Asia in 1956.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.timetableimages.com/ttimages/complete/nw56/|date=Oct 28, 1956|publisher=Northwest Airlines|title=System timetable|access-date=May 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180526071245/http://www.timetableimages.com/ttimages/complete/nw56/|archive-date=May 26, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>


The United States Air Force airborne intelligence platforms "[[Cobra Ball]]", "[[Rivet Amber]]," and "[[Rivet Ball]]" flew [[intercontinental ballistic missile]] tracking flights from this island near the [[Soviet Union]], especially the [[Kamchatka Peninsula]], during the height of the [[Cold War]]. Observations from Shemya were normally the first radar reports of new Soviet satellite launches from [[Baikonur Cosmodrome|Tyuratam (Baikonur)]] in the early days of satellite tracking; see [[Project Space Track (1957-1961)|Project Space Track]].
During the height of the [[Cold War]], the United States Air Force airborne intelligence platforms "[[Cobra Ball]]", "[[Rivet Amber]]," and "[[Rivet Ball]]" flew [[intercontinental ballistic missile]] tracking flights from this island near the [[Soviet Union]], especially the [[Kamchatka Peninsula]]. Observations from Shemya were normally the first radar reports of new Soviet satellite launches from [[Baikonur Cosmodrome|Tyuratam (Baikonur)]] in the early days of satellite tracking; see [[Project Space Track (1957–1961)|Project Space Track]].


The station was renamed the [[Eareckson Air Station]] in 1993 to honor USAF Colonel [[William O. Eareckson]], who had commanded bomber operations during the [[Battle of the Aleutian Islands|Aleutian Campaign]] of [[World War II]].
In 1993, the station was renamed the [[Eareckson Air Station]] to honor USAF Colonel [[William O. Eareckson]], who had commanded bomber operations during the [[Battle of the Aleutian Islands|Aleutian Campaign]] of [[World War II]].


[[Image:Shemya.png|thumb|Landsat image of Shemya Island.]]
[[Image:Shemya.png|thumb|upright=1.2|A landsat image of Shemya Island.]]
The station still operates as a radar station and aircraft refueling station with a staff of about 180 people. The [[United States Census, 2000|2000 census]] reported an official resident population of 27 persons on the island.
The station still operates as a radar station and aircraft refueling station with a staff of about 180 people. The [[United States Census, 2000|2000 census]] reported an official resident population of 27 persons on the island.


One of the most recognizable features of the island is the [[COBRA DANE]] radar system. This radar was built in 1976 and brought on-line in 1977 for the primary mission of intelligence gathering in support of verification of the [[Strategic Arms Limitation Talks]] (SALT) II agreement.
One of the most recognizable features of the island is the [[COBRA DANE]] radar system. This radar was built in 1976 and brought on-line in 1977 for the primary mission of intelligence gathering in support of verification of the [[Strategic Arms Limitation Talks]] (SALT) II agreement.


Shemya was an important outpost during the [[Cold War]]. As part of [[Project Bluegrass]], the [[White Alice Communications System]] provided a vital [[tropospheric scatter]] communications link to the mainland during the early-1960s to late-1970s. Its two 120&nbsp;ft parabolic reflectors and 50&nbsp;kW transmitter output bridged the nearly 400 mile gap to [[Adak, Alaska]].
Shemya was an important outpost during the [[Cold War]]. As part of [[Project Bluegrass]], the [[White Alice Communications System]] provided a vital [[tropospheric scatter]] communications link to the mainland during the early-1960s to late-1970s. Its two {{convert|120|ft|m|adj=on}} parabolic reflectors and 50&nbsp;kW transmitter output bridged the nearly {{convert|400|mi}} gap to [[Adak, Alaska]].


=== List of commercial flights diverted to Shemya ===
[[China Eastern Airlines Flight 583]] made an emergency landing at the island's airbase in April 6, 1993.
: ''See also {{section link|Eareckson Air Station|Accidents and incidents}}.''
* [[China Eastern Airlines Flight 583]] made an emergency landing at the island's airbase at April 6, 1993.
* American Airlines Flight 175, a [[Boeing 777|Boeing 777-200ER]], from [[Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport|Dallas Fort Worth, Texas (DFW/KDFW)]] to [[Narita International Airport|Tokyo Narita, Japan (NRT/RJAA)]] made an emergency landing due to indication of cargo fire on July 11, 2010.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Featured Maps: American Airlines 777 Diversion to Shemya (13 July 2010) - Great Circle Mapper |url=http://www.gcmap.com/featured/20100713 |access-date=2023-03-02 |website=www.gcmap.com}}</ref>
* Cathay Pacific Flight 884 from [[Hong Kong]] to [[Los Angeles]] made an emergency landing at the island's airbase due to smoke detection on July 29, 2015.{{cn|date=October 2024}}
* [[Delta Air Lines]] Flight 128 from [[Beijing]] to [[Seattle]] made an emergency landing on the island's airbase on December 24, 2018, when the [[Boeing 767-300ER]] developed engine problems.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/delta-flight-from-beijing-to-seattle-lands-on-alaskan-island-due-to-engine-issue-alaska-public-media-reports/|date=Dec 24, 2018|publisher=Seattle Times|title=Delta flight from Beijing to Seattle lands on Alaskan island due to ‘potential engine issue’|access-date=December 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181224230911/https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/delta-flight-from-beijing-to-seattle-lands-on-alaskan-island-due-to-engine-issue-alaska-public-media-reports/|archive-date=December 24, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Polar Air Cargo]] Flight 717 made an emergency landing at the island's airport on March 13, 2020.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.flightradar24.com/PAC717/242bd0c5 | title = Polar Air Cargo flight PO717 | website = [[Flightradar24]] | archive-url = https://archive.today/20200314074217/https://www.flightradar24.com/data/flights/po717/%23242bd0c5 | archive-date = 2020-03-14 | access-date = 2020-03-13 | url-status = live }}</ref>
* [[FedEx Express]] Flight 9796, a [[Boeing 777|Boeing 777-F2S]] flying from [[Anchorage Ted Stevens International Airport]] to [[Noi Bai International Airport|Hanoi Noi Bai International Airport]], diverted to [[Eareckson Air Station|Shemya Eareckson Air Station]] on October 1, 2024 due a #1 engine failure.{{cn|date=October 2024}}


=== Former airline service ===
Delta Flight 128 made an emergency landing on the island's airbase on December 24, 2018, when the
[[Reeve Aleutian Airways]] (RAA) operated scheduled passenger service into Shemya for many years. During the 1970s and 1980s, Reeve operated nonstop flights to [[Anchorage]] (ANC) with [[Lockheed L-188 Electra]] turboprop aircraft.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.departedflights.com/ANC75intro.html|date=April 15, 1975|work=Official Airline Guide (OAG)|title=Anchorage flight schedules|access-date=May 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180529054408/http://www.departedflights.com/ANC75intro.html|archive-date=May 29, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> By 1989, the airline was operating nonstop jet service to Anchorage with [[Boeing 727-100]] [[combi aircraft]] which were capable of transporting passengers and freight on the main deck of the aircraft.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.departedflights.com/ANC89intro.html|date=Dec 15, 1989|work=Official Airline Guide (OAG)|title=Anchorage flight schedules|access-date=May 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180529054417/http://www.departedflights.com/ANC89intro.html|archive-date=May 29, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Reeve's 727 service from Anchorage continued during the 1990s as did 727 flights from [[Adak Island, AK]] and [[Cold Bay, AK]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.departedflights.com/ANC95intro.html|work=Official Airline Guide (OAG)|title=Anchorage flight schedules|date=Apr 2, 1995|access-date=May 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180529054244/http://www.departedflights.com/ANC95intro.html|archive-date=May 29, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Reeve Aleutian ceased all flight operations in 2000.
Boeing 767-300ER developed engine problems. <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/delta-flight-from-beijing-to-seattle-lands-on-alaskan-island-due-to-engine-issue-alaska-public-media-reports/|date=Dec 24, 2018|publisher=Seattle Times|title=Delta flight from Beijing to Seattle lands on Alaskan island due to ‘potential engine issue’}}</ref>


===Former airline service===
== Climate ==
The weather on Shemya is very drastic, though the temperatures only vary between single digits to the mid fifties. The climate is perhaps the most equatorward low-altitude occurrence of a polar climate (''ET'') in the world, though it is extremely close to a [[subpolar oceanic climate]] (''Cfc''), or a [[subarctic climate]] if the 0 degree Celsius isotherm is used. The island weather is most likely to be cloudy with a mist. The wind ranges from {{convert|30|to|40|mph|km/h}}.


The [[Japanese current]] in the Pacific to the south of the island regulates the temperature and gives it the pronounced temperature lag. August and September are the warmest months. The island's record low occurred in April. Despite it being a tundra climate, it is spared the vicious cold of places like [[Utqiagvik, Alaska]] where temperatures in winter can rival those of interior Alaska in winter.
[[Reeve Aleutian Airways]] (RAA) operated scheduled passenger service into Shemya for many years. During the 1970s and 1980s, Reeve operated nonstop flights to [[Anchorage]] (ANC) with [[Lockheed L-188 Electra]] turboprop aircraft.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.departedflights.com/ANC75intro.html|date=April 15, 1975|work=Official Airline Guide (OAG)|title=Anchorage flight schedules}}</ref> By 1989, the airline was operating nonstop jet service to Anchorage with [[Boeing 727-100]] [[combi aircraft]] which were capable of transporting passengers and freight on the main deck of the aircraft.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.departedflights.com/ANC89intro.html|date=Dec 15, 1989|work=Official Airline Guide (OAG)|title=Anchorage flight schedules}}</ref> Reeve's 727 service from Anchorage continued during the 1990s as did 727 flights from [[Adak Island, AK]] and [[Cold Bay, AK]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.departedflights.com/ANC95intro.html|work=Official Airline Guide (OAG)|title=Anchorage flight schedules|date=Apr 2, 1995}}</ref> Reeve Aleutian ceased all flight operations in 2000.

== Climate ==
The weather on Shemya is very drastic, though the temperatures only vary between single digits to the mid fifties, and the climate is perhaps the most equatorward low-altitude occurrence of a polar climate (''ET'') in the world, though it is extremely close to a [[subpolar oceanic climate]] (''Cfc''). The island weather is most likely to be cloudy with a mist and the wind is often in the mid 30s to 40&nbsp;mph. The [[Japanese current]] in the Pacific to the south of the island regulates the temperature.


{{Weather box|width=auto
{{Weather box|width=auto
|location = Shemya, Alaska
|location = Shemya (1961–1990 normals, extremes 1943–1995)
|single line = Y
|single line = Y
|Jan record high F = 44
|Jan record high F = 44
Line 41: Line 47:
|May record high F = 48
|May record high F = 48
|Jun record high F = 57
|Jun record high F = 57
|Jul record high F = 74
|Jul record high F = 64
|Aug record high F = 70
|Aug record high F = 63
|Sep record high F = 59
|Sep record high F = 59
|Oct record high F = 54
|Oct record high F = 54
|Nov record high F = 48
|Nov record high F = 48
|Dec record high F = 48
|Dec record high F = 48
|Jan high F = 33.8
|Jan avg record high F = 38.5
|Feb high F = 33.5
|Feb avg record high F = 38.3
|Mar high F = 34.8
|Mar avg record high F = 39.1
|Apr high F = 37.8
|Apr avg record high F = 41.3
|May avg record high F = 45.4
|Jun avg record high F = 49.6
|Jul avg record high F = 55.1
|Aug avg record high F = 56.6
|Sep avg record high F = 54.5
|Oct avg record high F = 50.3
|Nov avg record high F = 45.3
|Dec avg record high F = 41.1
|year avg record high F = 57.7
|Jan high F = 33.7
|Feb high F = 33.1
|Mar high F = 34.7
|Apr high F = 37.7
|May high F = 41.2
|May high F = 41.2
|Jun high F = 44.9
|Jun high F = 44.6
|Jul high F = 49.1
|Jul high F = 48.9
|Aug high F = 51.8
|Aug high F = 51.6
|Sep high F = 50.7
|Sep high F = 50.7
|Oct high F = 45.4
|Oct high F = 45.4
|Nov high F = 39.1
|Nov high F = 39.2
|Dec high F = 35.3
|Dec high F = 35.6
|Jan mean F = 31.1
|year high F = 41.4
|Feb mean F = 30.9
|Jan mean F = 31.0
|Mar mean F = 32.1
|Feb mean F = 30.5
|Mar mean F = 31.9
|Apr mean F = 35.0
|Apr mean F = 35.0
|May mean F = 38.5
|May mean F = 38.6
|Jun mean F = 42.4
|Jun mean F = 42.2
|Jul mean F = 46.7
|Jul mean F = 46.6
|Aug mean F = 49.4
|Aug mean F = 49.2
|Sep mean F = 47.9
|Sep mean F = 47.8
|Oct mean F = 42.4
|Oct mean F = 42.2
|Nov mean F = 36.1
|Nov mean F = 36.0
|Dec mean F = 32.5
|Dec mean F = 32.8
|Jan low F = 28.4
|year mean F = 38.7
|Feb low F = 28.2
|Jan low F = 28.2
|Mar low F = 29.3
|Feb low F = 27.8
|Mar low F = 29.0
|Apr low F = 32.2
|Apr low F = 32.2
|May low F = 35.8
|May low F = 35.9
|Jun low F = 39.9
|Jun low F = 39.8
|Jul low F = 44.2
|Jul low F = 44.2
|Aug low F = 47.0
|Aug low F = 46.8
|Sep low F = 45.0
|Sep low F = 44.9
|Oct low F = 39.3
|Oct low F = 39.0
|Nov low F = 33.1
|Nov low F = 32.8
|Dec low F = 29.6
|Dec low F = 29.9
|year low F = 35.9
|Jan avg record low F = 18.2
|Feb avg record low F = 18.1
|Mar avg record low F = 20.5
|Apr avg record low F = 25.3
|May avg record low F = 30.9
|Jun avg record low F = 35.9
|Jul avg record low F = 40.7
|Aug avg record low F = 43.0
|Sep avg record low F = 37.8
|Oct avg record low F = 31.8
|Nov avg record low F = 24.9
|Dec avg record low F = 20.5
|year avg record low F = 15.6
|Jan record low F = 9
|Jan record low F = 9
|Feb record low F = 7
|Feb record low F = 7
|Mar record low F = 11
|Mar record low F = 11
|Apr record low F = 2
|Apr record low F = 18
|May record low F = 24
|May record low F = 24
|Jun record low F = 27
|Jun record low F = 29
|Jul record low F = 36
|Jul record low F = 36
|Aug record low F = 38
|Aug record low F = 38
Line 96: Line 131:
|Dec record low F = 7
|Dec record low F = 7
|precipitation colour = green
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 2.52
|Jan precipitation inch = 2.49
|Feb precipitation inch = 2.02
|Feb precipitation inch = 1.96
|Mar precipitation inch = 2.04
|Mar precipitation inch = 1.90
|Apr precipitation inch = 1.79
|Apr precipitation inch = 1.82
|May precipitation inch = 1.86
|May precipitation inch = 1.65
|Jun precipitation inch = 1.84
|Jun precipitation inch = 1.87
|Jul precipitation inch = 2.76
|Jul precipitation inch = 2.69
|Aug precipitation inch = 3.45
|Aug precipitation inch = 4.11
|Sep precipitation inch = 2.92
|Sep precipitation inch = 2.93
|Oct precipitation inch = 3.70
|Oct precipitation inch = 3.83
|Nov precipitation inch = 3.79
|Nov precipitation inch = 4.04
|Dec precipitation inch = 3.04
|Dec precipitation inch = 2.95
|Jan precipitation days = 22
|year precipitation inch = 32.24
|Feb precipitation days = 20
|Mar precipitation days = 20
|Apr precipitation days = 17
|May precipitation days = 16
|Jun precipitation days = 14
|Jul precipitation days = 15
|Aug precipitation days = 17
|Sep precipitation days = 18
|Oct precipitation days = 22
|Nov precipitation days = 23
|Dec precipitation days = 23
|unit precipitation days = 0.01 inch
|unit precipitation days = 0.01 inch
|Jan snow inch = 16.5
|Jan precipitation days = 22.5
|Feb snow inch = 14.4
|Feb precipitation days = 20.1
|Mar snow inch = 11.1
|Mar precipitation days = 20.5
|Apr snow inch = 5.0
|Apr precipitation days = 16.7
|May snow inch = 1.2
|May precipitation days = 15.8
|Jun snow inch = 0.8
|Jun precipitation days = 14.3
|Jul precipitation days = 15.3
|Aug precipitation days = 17.5
|Sep precipitation days = 18.3
|Oct precipitation days = 22.2
|Nov precipitation days = 24.1
|Dec precipitation days = 23.4
|year precipitation days = 230.7
|Jan snow inch = 15.6
|Feb snow inch = 13.7
|Mar snow inch = 11.0
|Apr snow inch = 5.2
|May snow inch = 1.4
|Jun snow inch = 0.0
|Jul snow inch = 0.0
|Jul snow inch = 0.0
|Aug snow inch = 0.0
|Aug snow inch = 0.0
|Sep snow inch = 0.0
|Sep snow inch = 0.0
|Oct snow inch = 0.6
|Oct snow inch = 1.1
|Nov snow inch = 8.8
|Nov snow inch = 8.2
|Dec snow inch = 16.4
|Dec snow inch = 14.5
|year snow inch = 70.7
|unit snow days = 0.01 inch
|unit snow days = 0.01 inch
|Jan snow days = 18.8
|source = WRCC: Period of Record General Climate Summary Table<ref name = "climate" >{{cite web
|Feb snow days = 17.4
| url = http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/cliMAIN.pl?ak8419
|Mar snow days = 16.3
| title = SHEMYA USAF BASE, ALASKA (508419)
|Apr snow days = 9.1
| publisher = Western Regional Climate Centre
|May snow days = 2.1
| accessdate = 2016-02-09|date=Oct 31, 2012}}</ref>
|Jun snow days = 0.0
|date=February 2016}}
|Jul snow days = 0.0
|Aug snow days = 0.0
|Sep snow days = 0.0
|Oct snow days = 1.6
|Nov snow days = 11.8
|Dec snow days = 16.9
|year snow days = 94.0
|source 1 = WRCC: Period of Record General Climate Summary Table<ref name = "climate" >{{cite web
|url = http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/cliMAIN.pl?ak8419
|title = Shemya USAF Base, Alaska (508419)
|publisher = [[Western Regional Climate Center]]
|access-date = 2016-02-09
|date = Oct 31, 2012
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110927160209/http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/cliMAIN.pl?ak8419
|archive-date = September 27, 2011
|url-status = live
}}</ref>
|source 2 = XMACIS (snowfall)<ref>[https://xmacis.rcc-acis.org/ XMACIS]</ref>}}


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
*[http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/DTTable?_bm=y&-context=dt&-ds_name=DEC_2000_SF1_U&-CONTEXT=dt&-mt_name=DEC_2000_SF1_U_P001&-tree_id=4001&-transpose=N&-redoLog=false&-all_geo_types=N&-_caller=geoselect&-geo_id=100$10000US020160001001147&-search_results=100$10000US021500001002007&-format=&-_lang=en&-show_geoid=Y Shemya Island: Block 1147, Census Tract 1, Aleutians West Census Area, Alaska] United States Census Bureau
*[https://www.census.gov Shemya Island: Block 1147, Census Tract 1, Aleutians West Census Area, Alaska] United States Census Bureau


==External links==
==External links==
Line 152: Line 208:


{{Islands in the Bering Sea}}
{{Islands in the Bering Sea}}

{{authority control}}


[[Category:Semichi Islands]]
[[Category:Semichi Islands]]

Latest revision as of 15:52, 31 October 2024

5 - Shemya Island

Shemya or Simiya (Aleut: Samiyax̂[1]) is a small island in the Semichi Islands group of the Near Islands chain in the Aleutian Islands archipelago southwest of Alaska, at 52°43′27″N 174°07′08″E / 52.72417°N 174.11889°E / 52.72417; 174.11889. It has a land area of 5.903 sq mi (15.29 km2), and is about 1,200 miles (1,900 km) southwest of Anchorage, Alaska. It is 2.73 miles (4.39 km) wide and 4.32 miles (6.95 km) long.

History

[edit]
Shemya Island north shore

The Russian vessel Saint Peter and Paul wrecked at Shemya in 1762. Most of the crew survived.

In 1943, a United States Air Force radar, surveillance, and weather station and aircraft refueling station, including a 10,000-foot-long (3,000 m) runway, opened on Shemya and is still in operation. At its peak in the 1960s, the station, originally Shemya Air Force Base or Shemya Station, had 1,500 workers. In 1956, Northwest Airlines leased Shemya Island from the U.S. government to use as a refueling station on their North Pacific route. According to Northwest's website, that made them "the first airline to operate its own airport."[2] Northwest was operating Lockheed Constellation L-1049G model propliners on its "Orient Express" service between the U.S. and Asia in 1956.[3]

During the height of the Cold War, the United States Air Force airborne intelligence platforms "Cobra Ball", "Rivet Amber," and "Rivet Ball" flew intercontinental ballistic missile tracking flights from this island near the Soviet Union, especially the Kamchatka Peninsula. Observations from Shemya were normally the first radar reports of new Soviet satellite launches from Tyuratam (Baikonur) in the early days of satellite tracking; see Project Space Track.

In 1993, the station was renamed the Eareckson Air Station to honor USAF Colonel William O. Eareckson, who had commanded bomber operations during the Aleutian Campaign of World War II.

A landsat image of Shemya Island.

The station still operates as a radar station and aircraft refueling station with a staff of about 180 people. The 2000 census reported an official resident population of 27 persons on the island.

One of the most recognizable features of the island is the COBRA DANE radar system. This radar was built in 1976 and brought on-line in 1977 for the primary mission of intelligence gathering in support of verification of the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) II agreement.

Shemya was an important outpost during the Cold War. As part of Project Bluegrass, the White Alice Communications System provided a vital tropospheric scatter communications link to the mainland during the early-1960s to late-1970s. Its two 120-foot (37 m) parabolic reflectors and 50 kW transmitter output bridged the nearly 400 miles (640 km) gap to Adak, Alaska.

List of commercial flights diverted to Shemya

[edit]
See also Eareckson Air Station § Accidents and incidents.

Former airline service

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Reeve Aleutian Airways (RAA) operated scheduled passenger service into Shemya for many years. During the 1970s and 1980s, Reeve operated nonstop flights to Anchorage (ANC) with Lockheed L-188 Electra turboprop aircraft.[7] By 1989, the airline was operating nonstop jet service to Anchorage with Boeing 727-100 combi aircraft which were capable of transporting passengers and freight on the main deck of the aircraft.[8] Reeve's 727 service from Anchorage continued during the 1990s as did 727 flights from Adak Island, AK and Cold Bay, AK.[9] Reeve Aleutian ceased all flight operations in 2000.

Climate

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The weather on Shemya is very drastic, though the temperatures only vary between single digits to the mid fifties. The climate is perhaps the most equatorward low-altitude occurrence of a polar climate (ET) in the world, though it is extremely close to a subpolar oceanic climate (Cfc), or a subarctic climate if the 0 degree Celsius isotherm is used. The island weather is most likely to be cloudy with a mist. The wind ranges from 30 to 40 miles per hour (48 to 64 km/h).

The Japanese current in the Pacific to the south of the island regulates the temperature and gives it the pronounced temperature lag. August and September are the warmest months. The island's record low occurred in April. Despite it being a tundra climate, it is spared the vicious cold of places like Utqiagvik, Alaska where temperatures in winter can rival those of interior Alaska in winter.

Climate data for Shemya (1961–1990 normals, extremes 1943–1995)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 44
(7) 		44
(7) 		43
(6) 		47
(8) 		48
(9) 		57
(14) 		64
(18) 		63
(17) 		59
(15) 		54
(12) 		48
(9) 		48
(9) 		64
(18)
Mean maximum °F (°C) 38.5
(3.6) 		38.3
(3.5) 		39.1
(3.9) 		41.3
(5.2) 		45.4
(7.4) 		49.6
(9.8) 		55.1
(12.8) 		56.6
(13.7) 		54.5
(12.5) 		50.3
(10.2) 		45.3
(7.4) 		41.1
(5.1) 		57.7
(14.3)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 33.7
(0.9) 		33.1
(0.6) 		34.7
(1.5) 		37.7
(3.2) 		41.2
(5.1) 		44.6
(7.0) 		48.9
(9.4) 		51.6
(10.9) 		50.7
(10.4) 		45.4
(7.4) 		39.2
(4.0) 		35.6
(2.0) 		41.4
(5.2)
Daily mean °F (°C) 31.0
(−0.6) 		30.5
(−0.8) 		31.9
(−0.1) 		35.0
(1.7) 		38.6
(3.7) 		42.2
(5.7) 		46.6
(8.1) 		49.2
(9.6) 		47.8
(8.8) 		42.2
(5.7) 		36.0
(2.2) 		32.8
(0.4) 		38.7
(3.7)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 28.2
(−2.1) 		27.8
(−2.3) 		29.0
(−1.7) 		32.2
(0.1) 		35.9
(2.2) 		39.8
(4.3) 		44.2
(6.8) 		46.8
(8.2) 		44.9
(7.2) 		39.0
(3.9) 		32.8
(0.4) 		29.9
(−1.2) 		35.9
(2.2)
Mean minimum °F (°C) 18.2
(−7.7) 		18.1
(−7.7) 		20.5
(−6.4) 		25.3
(−3.7) 		30.9
(−0.6) 		35.9
(2.2) 		40.7
(4.8) 		43.0
(6.1) 		37.8
(3.2) 		31.8
(−0.1) 		24.9
(−3.9) 		20.5
(−6.4) 		15.6
(−9.1)
Record low °F (°C) 9
(−13) 		7
(−14) 		11
(−12) 		18
(−8) 		24
(−4) 		29
(−2) 		36
(2) 		38
(3) 		33
(1) 		26
(−3) 		15
(−9) 		7
(−14) 		7
(−14)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 2.49
(63) 		1.96
(50) 		1.90
(48) 		1.82
(46) 		1.65
(42) 		1.87
(47) 		2.69
(68) 		4.11
(104) 		2.93
(74) 		3.83
(97) 		4.04
(103) 		2.95
(75) 		32.24
(819)
Average snowfall inches (cm) 15.6
(40) 		13.7
(35) 		11.0
(28) 		5.2
(13) 		1.4
(3.6) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		1.1
(2.8) 		8.2
(21) 		14.5
(37) 		70.7
(180)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 inch) 22.5 20.1 20.5 16.7 15.8 14.3 15.3 17.5 18.3 22.2 24.1 23.4 230.7
Average snowy days (≥ 0.01 inch) 18.8 17.4 16.3 9.1 2.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.6 11.8 16.9 94.0
Source 1: WRCC: Period of Record General Climate Summary Table[10]
Source 2: XMACIS (snowfall)[11]

References

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  1. ^ Bergsland, K. (1994). Aleut Dictionary. Fairbanks: Alaska Native Language Center.
  2. ^ "Northwest Historical Timeline". About NWA. Archived from the original on 2009-03-14.
  3. ^ "System timetable". Northwest Airlines. Oct 28, 1956. Archived from the original on May 26, 2018. Retrieved May 28, 2018.
  4. ^ "Featured Maps: American Airlines 777 Diversion to Shemya (13 July 2010) - Great Circle Mapper". www.gcmap.com. Retrieved 2023-03-02.
  5. ^ "Delta flight from Beijing to Seattle lands on Alaskan island due to 'potential engine issue'". Seattle Times. Dec 24, 2018. Archived from the original on December 24, 2018. Retrieved December 24, 2018.
  6. ^ "Polar Air Cargo flight PO717". Flightradar24. Archived from the original on 2020-03-14. Retrieved 2020-03-13.
  7. ^ "Anchorage flight schedules". Official Airline Guide (OAG). April 15, 1975. Archived from the original on May 29, 2018. Retrieved May 28, 2018.
  8. ^ "Anchorage flight schedules". Official Airline Guide (OAG). Dec 15, 1989. Archived from the original on May 29, 2018. Retrieved May 28, 2018.
  9. ^ "Anchorage flight schedules". Official Airline Guide (OAG). Apr 2, 1995. Archived from the original on May 29, 2018. Retrieved May 28, 2018.
  10. ^ "Shemya USAF Base, Alaska (508419)". Western Regional Climate Center. Oct 31, 2012. Archived from the original on September 27, 2011. Retrieved 2016-02-09.
  11. ^ XMACIS
[edit]
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