This Week in Alaska History: Oct. 20-26

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - This week in Alaska history, we take a look at the time a typhoon hit Alaska, a maritime tragedy, and the quest to save a ferry.

Oct. 20, 1995 — Former Typhoon Oscar hits Southcentral Alaska, causing flooding on the Kenai River and in Seward.

Oct. 20, 1998 — The Kalakala, a former Washington ferry turned fish processor, leaves Kodiak. The art deco ship is towed to Seattle where the hopes are to restore it and turn it into a floating museum.

Oct. 21, 1993 — Cook Inlet Region Incorporated is granted a broadcast license for the radio station KNBA. It goes on the air in October 1996, broadcasting from a garage in Anchorage neighborhood of Fairview.

Oct. 23, 1974 — The Concorde, a supersonic passenger jet, lands in Anchorage as part of a test flight. It will be almost two more years before the it is approved for commercial flights.

Oct. 24, 1918 — The worst maritime disaster in Alaska history hits in Southeast Alaska. The S.S. Princess Sophia, a passenger steamship, sinks after hitting a reef during a storm near Juneau. None of passengers or crew survived.

Oct. 26, 1882 — Angoon in Southeast is bombed by the U.S. Navy.

Oct. 26, 1994 — A Costa’s hummingbird ended up in Alaska, 3,000 miles north of it’s normal habitat. Alaskans dubbed him “Buddy” and Alaska Airlines set him up with a free flight south.

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