ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

THIS BOOK would not have been possible without the friendship, help, and generous support over the years of Wally and Lillian Griffin and their business, Crescent City Printing Company. In addition to providing pictures for this publication and releasing photographs not seen before by the general public, as well as recommending people to interview, Wally Griffin was very gracious in his support, including allowing me full access to the information contained in his book, Dark Disaster, copies of which are also available from the Del Norte County Historical Society in Crescent City.

Carol Cleveland and the Del Norte County Historical Society receive high marks, as well; I thank Carol for her friendship and help in acquiring photographs and their release for publication. Bill Parker stands out, not only for his interviews, but also for reviewing portions of this manuscript and giving appreciated advice. Tom Sokolowski, the long-time head of the West Coast/Alaska Tsunami Warning Center in Parker, Alaska, and Paul Whitmore, its present chief, were helpful with their input on the WC/ATWC’s operations. Tom also made appreciated suggestions on the manuscript. A professor in Environmental Studies, Eric Dittmer, of Southern Oregon University provided valuable assistance in understanding tsunamis, especially with respect to Crescent City and its vulnerability. And my appreciation is extended to a friend, Chris Honore, who also reviewed portions of this manuscript and made helpful comments.

I thank Gary Clawson and his wife, Carole, for their time, graciousness, and help. It was my pleasure to get to know them. I appreciated interviewing and/or meeting: Bill Peepe, Bob and Mary Jean Ames, Bill Stamps, Guy Ames, Ernie Pyke, Doug Pyke, Don Mather, Ruth Long, Joan and Bud Clark, Merv and Margo McGuire, Ray Shalk, Roy Magnuson, Richard Weir, Jim and Sophia Hooper, not to mention again Carol Cleveland, Wally and Lillian Griffin, Gary Clawson, and Bill and Boots Parker. With sadness I note that Jim Hooper, Ernie Pyke, and others passed away after my interviews with them. Jim Hooper and his wife, Sophia, met me for lunch in Ashland, and Jim sent me copious notes and information concerning the rebuilding of Crescent City.

I grew fond of the people I met during my research for this book, and of Crescent City itself—it is a city with which we all can identify, as older residents hand over their knowledge and experiences to new generations. I take my hat off to all of you and send you my very best, as always.

I must thank the staff, publishers, and editors (past and present) of the Triplicate in Crescent City for their help, information, and courtesies, and access to past issues and information contained in their newspaper’s stories. I also appreciated the help of the staff at the facilities of the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Ewa Beach, Hawaii, and the U.S. West Coast/Alaska Tsunami Warning Center in Palmer, Alaska.

My special thanks to the Editor-in-Chief at Kensington Publishing, Michaela Hamilton, for her unwaveringly positive attitude and professional suggestions. As always, I must thank my agent, Jeanne Fredericks. Jeanne, we have worked together for years, and it has always been such a pleasure to know you, your husband Wes, and your family.

Last, but never least, I so appreciate the help and support of my wife, Judy, who accompanied me on countless trips to Crescent City, who loved talking with Wally and Lillian, but afterwards never ran out of books to read, whether it was inside during a cold rain or outside in the warm sunshine. In fact, by the time this project was completed, we had traveled in three different cars—and we generally keep a car for at least five years. She is the best!