My dad, Dan Boddy, was also on the dock in Valdez at the time of the earthquake, having driven down from Fairbanks that day to get a load of cargo from the Chena for Lyndon Transport. In the original film taken by these two photographers, there was a sweep across the dock, showing the people on the dock. I have tried over the years to get that footage, but it has been cut out and even the U of A in Fairbanks doesn't have it. I had seen it on Seattle's PBS station years ago, and my mom had wanted to see it. I always felt that my dad was one of those standing in the front of everyone else, and my mom wanted to stop the film and look more closely. She passed away five years ago this month, at the age of 95, and I assume now she knows everything she wondered about that day in Valdez! Of all the people lost on the Valdez dock, my dad's was the only body found.
Nancy, there's a Facebook page survivors of the quake have been posting their memoirs on. It was started by my little brother. We too lost our father on that dock that day. I think the film you're looking for is call "Though the Earth Be Moved". I have a VHS copy, but no player anymore. Need to get it converted. I believe I've seen it on RUclips. Sorry for your loss.
If that original 8mm film footage that was shot aboard the ship happens to still exist today, it would be amazing to see after a high-quality video transfer and the use of video stabilizing software - the improved clarity would be astonishing.
It's unfortunate that the original footage has been cut up and some of it appears to be permanently gone. When I last spoke with people at the U of A in Fairbanks, and they sent me all the video they had, speculation was that perhaps someone considered it too disturbing to show the people on the dock just before they were killed. Still, it should have been kept intact so that people like my mom, who thought she saw my dad in the front on the dock, could have looked at it.
My grandfather was chief mate on the Chena, you see him Neil L. Larsen chief mate at 35 seconds, into video walk from right hand side, black hat and glasses. He saved the crew by going out to sea, and saved a sailor pulled back on deck right before a tidal wave hit. He said everyone who came out to watch was killed....on shore anyways.
Leland Carriker so sorry for your loss even all these years later...I lived in Kenai for 20+ years and had one shaker that was 7.3 but it didn’t last long I don’t know how a person could have taken one for as long as the ‘64 was. Again my sympathy...
According to the www.valdezmuseum.org website as of 29 December 2018, the video depicted here is copyrighted by Century Film Productions Actual Alaska Earthquake Movies P.O. Box 8027 Northgate Station Seattle, Washington 98125 Photo Catalog number 2000.018.0001
It's bizarre to watch this. I have camped at the RV Park on the far side of the marina. If there was a similar quake, I bet that RV park would just disappear.
My dad, Dan Boddy, was also on the dock in Valdez at the time of the earthquake, having driven down from Fairbanks that day to get a load of cargo from the Chena for Lyndon Transport. In the original film taken by these two photographers, there was a sweep across the dock, showing the people on the dock. I have tried over the years to get that footage, but it has been cut out and even the U of A in Fairbanks doesn't have it. I had seen it on Seattle's PBS station years ago, and my mom had wanted to see it. I always felt that my dad was one of those standing in the front of everyone else, and my mom wanted to stop the film and look more closely. She passed away five years ago this month, at the age of 95, and I assume now she knows everything she wondered about that day in Valdez! Of all the people lost on the Valdez dock, my dad's was the only body found.
Sorry for your lost of your dad during this Quake and the resent passing of your mother. Rest in Paradise.
Nancy Boddy supposedly another big earthquake coming between Dec. 21 and 25, in Alaska, another big one!
I’m so sorry for all the grief you and your mother experienced, and also for the traumatic passing of your father.
Nancy, there's a Facebook page survivors of the quake have been posting their memoirs on. It was started by my little brother. We too lost our father on that dock that day.
I think the film you're looking for is call "Though the Earth Be Moved". I have a VHS copy, but no player anymore. Need to get it converted. I believe I've seen it on RUclips.
Sorry for your loss.
My mom's first husband was a longshoreman on the docks at Valdez. They never found his body. RIP, Richard Robinson.
i was there in valdez .shook 4 4&half minutes, i'll never forget the 64 quake
If that original 8mm film footage that was shot aboard the ship happens to still exist today, it would be amazing to see after a high-quality video transfer and the use of video stabilizing software - the improved clarity would be astonishing.
It would. But still, this footage is chilling. I can't imagine what the crew was going through watching the destruction.
MsLilyhorse
I cannot fathom seeing such a thing
It's unfortunate that the original footage has been cut up and some of it appears to be permanently gone. When I last spoke with people at the U of A in Fairbanks, and they sent me all the video they had, speculation was that perhaps someone considered it too disturbing to show the people on the dock just before they were killed. Still, it should have been kept intact so that people like my mom, who thought she saw my dad in the front on the dock, could have looked at it.
Amazing footage but so sad :(
Thank you for the great post!
My grandfather was chief mate on the Chena, you see him Neil L. Larsen chief mate at 35 seconds, into video walk from right hand side, black hat and glasses. He saved the crew by going out to sea, and saved a sailor pulled back on deck right before a tidal wave hit. He said everyone who came out to watch was killed....on shore anyways.
My dad lost his life on this dock, he was driving a forklift at the time.
so sad RIP
Leland Carriker so sorry for your loss even all these years later...I lived in Kenai for 20+ years and had one shaker that was 7.3 but it didn’t last long I don’t know how a person could have taken one for as long as the ‘64 was. Again my sympathy...
I didn't want to press the like button.
So Im sorry for your loss. That was so many years ago but I'm sure you still grieve for your papa.
Leland Carriker I’m sorry
Rip
I am so sorry for your losses.. I was born on this day.. In south Chicago Illinois. Blessings.. Todd A.
Great video, my mother was living in Anchorage on this day. Grandfather has old video of downtown Anchorage.
Usually the animals can hear or feel the vibrations, but the dogs at 1:00 obviously aren't alerted yet.
i live in new valdez i love going to visit old valdez althougt there is nothing there but it is only a mile away
According to the www.valdezmuseum.org website as of 29 December 2018, the video depicted here is copyrighted by Century Film Productions
Actual Alaska Earthquake Movies
P.O. Box 8027
Northgate Station
Seattle, Washington 98125
Photo Catalog number 2000.018.0001
It's bizarre to watch this. I have camped at the RV Park on the far side of the marina. If there was a similar quake, I bet that RV park would just disappear.
It would be great if it was captioned...
Fred lived nextstore to me in Seattle I was 14 yrs old
dazz20003,why don't you upload the old video the Anchorage downtown?It would be great!!!
That looked like Japan's mega quake & Tsunami..
Been there done it and yes was in Anchorage And was in the quake ahh ths fun we had not
Holy fucking shit