DICKSON LAND ON THE ISLAND OF EAST SPITZBERGEN

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP81-01026R000100030005-4
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 12, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 28, 1998
• Sequence Number: 5
• Publication Date: July 1, 1947
• Content Type: IR

CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE GROUP
INTELLIGENCE REPORT
SUBJECT Dickson Land on the Island of
Vest Spitzbergen
'Et
.,U T
4 _ 5 6 USUALLY FAI NOT CANNOT BE 00 =N OBABLY 1 2 3
DOUBTFUL PROBABLY 'CANNOT BE
FALSE JUDGED
J =L-1
Document
STATE VV~~A~RLNAIWY
LL6; -1
1. Dickson Land is located roughly in the south-central part of the island
at the head of Isfjorden and between Dickson Fjord on the west and Dille
Fjord on the east. The headwaters of Wilde Fjorden partially bound it on
the north. It occupies an areal extent of approximately 33 minutes of
latitude and one degree and five minutes of longitude based on Mercator's
projection, scale 1:600,000 at 79 degrees north latitude. The geographic
coordinates taken for the center of the area are N 780 52' and F 160 661.
2. The entrance to Dickson Fjord is nearly two miles wide while northward
to its headwaters the Fjord widens to approximately 3 to 4 miles and then
tapers slightly to an irregular valley-head where three short incised
streams enter the Fjord through a narrow morainic plain. The head of the
Fjord is named Dicksondalen. The depth of the Fjord varies from 9 meters
at its entrance to 41 meters at the headwaters with several depths in be-
tween averaging nearly 100 meters.
3. On the eastern shore line of Dickson Fjord between Lydta and Nathorstdalen
is a considerable slip-off slope where possible anchorage and landings
could be accomplished. The morainic materials deposited in the slip-off
slope are possibly unconsolidated and would offer poor footings but be-
cause of the latitude it, undoubtedly, would be frozen the greater part
of the year.
4. Bille Fjord on the east is a bit under wider than Dickson Fjord and is
considerably deeper with depths up to 171 meters. On the north-western
shore line the slip-off slope is built into deeper water and on a much
narrower scale than Dickson Fjord.
5. The surface features of Dickson Lend are depicted by triangulation stations
and spot heights but contour lines are lacking as would naturally be ex-
pected on a hydrographic chart. In following the triangulation points
and spot heights from north to south the slope of the land is in a south-
westerly direction toward Kapp Thorsden. The landed area between the two
fjords appears to rise abruptly from the water's edge with a few narrow
morainic coastal plains. Judging from the spot heights and triangulation
points the topography should be gently rolling to fairly flat.
LCH*
nine
-- - - ---------- --- ------------------------
ADSO
A DEP.
FIST
I
V
DADSO
FBK
FBV
8PD8
EXEC.
FBL
FBX
SPOT
CONTROL
FBM
FBZ
9C0
CTRS
PLANS
FBP
SPDA
TRB
INFO. Current
DIST. hdkii 1947
PAGES 2
SUPPLEMENT
EVALUATION OF CONTENT
 CONFIDENTIAL
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE GROUP
- 2 -
9 77!4
6. The bathymetric contours show water depths in meters and are drawn at
100 meter intervals with soundings made approximately every two miles.
In addition to the depths there are shown the coastal features, including
submerged docks, rocks awash, bars, spits and glacier tongues in the water.
No cotidal lines are shown on the chart.
7. The paucity of cultural features depicted on or near the coast line makes
those which do appear stand out more prominently. The most significant
cultural feature is a mine unnamed as type of ore produced, This mine
is located near the small inlet on Mimerbukta toward the northwestern end
of Bille Fjord, (N7838-E1620) directly east of the 784 foot triangulation
station.
This document contains information
affecting the national defense of the
United States viithin the meaning of
the Espionage Act, 50, U.E.C. 31 and
32 as amended. Its transmission or
the revelation of its contents in any
manner to on unauthorized person is
prohibited by lavr.