Southeast Alaska Shipwrecks

Yakutat to Dixon Entrance
Southeast Alaska
By Dave Henderson, Ketchikan, Alaska
1
Updated: May 2021
While there are many more shipwrecks in Southeast Alaska than are presented here,
these are the ones I was able to find photos of and appeared to be the most interesting.

Sources & Reference Information:
 Alaska Shipwrecks – Capt. Warren E. Good
 https://alaskashipwreck.com
 https://www.facebook.com/groups/313569046132740
 WRECKSITE – World Wide Database
 https://www.wrecksite.eu
 BOEM – Shipwrecks Off Alaska’s Coast
 https://www.boem.gov/about-boem/shipwrecks-alaskas-coast
 Wikipedia –Shipwrecks of the Alaska Coast
 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Shipwrecks_of_the_Alaska_coast
2
This presentation was made possible by a number of extensive collections of photos and
information, as well as a lot of research and hard work on the part of the people, agencies and
organizations listed below. Many thanks to them for sharing this interesting part of our history.
Sources & references continued

 Alaska Digital Archives
 https://vilda.alaska.edu/digital/
 HATHI TRUST Digital Library – Merchant Vessels
 Catalog Search Results | HathiTrust Digital Library
 AlaskaWeb.org – Alaska Shipwrecks
 Maritime Shipwrecks in Alaska Involving Injuries or Casualties (alaskaweb.org)
 Haines Sheldon Museum – SE Alaska Shipwrecks
 https://www.sheldonmuseum.org/vignette/shipwrecks
 Wikimedia Commons – Shipwrecks
 https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?search=Shipwrecks&titl
e=Special:MediaSearch&go=Go&type=image
3
Sources & references continued

 The Ships List – Historical Record Database
 https://www.theshipslist.com/
 NOAA – Shipwrecks of Alaska’s Lynn Canal
 https://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/maritime/expeditions/lynn_canal.html
 Wikiwand – Shipwrecks
 https://www.wikiwand.com/en/List_of_shipwrecks_of_the_United_Stat
es#/Alaska
 Alaska State Library – Shipwrecks
 https://library.alaska.gov/hist/exhibits/shipwrecks.html
 SaveItForParts (Funter Bay History) – Gabe Emerson
 Boats | Saveitforparts | Page 2 (wordpress.com)
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SS Admiral Evans
 Service – Passenger/Cargo Transport;
 Propulsion – Steam, Triple Expansion
Engine, Single Shaft/Screw;
 Tonnage – 1820 grt;
 Dimensions – 253’ x 38.4’;
 Speed – 12.5 knots;
 Construction – Iron/Steel;
 Built – 1901, by Craig Shipbuilding
Co., Toledo, OH;
 Master - Captain Charles Glasscock;
 Owner - Pacific Steamship Company
(The Admiral Line);
 Destination - P E Harris Cannery:
 Registry – US, ON-3904; Signal-
KRCG;
 Wrecked – March 9, 1918, at Hawk
Inlet, AK;
5
KRCG
(p.132)
‘Click’ icon for more information

Vessel History:
 1901 – Vessel built and launched at Toledo, OH as the
Steamer “Buckman.”
 1914 – December 14, vessel stranded off Bird Reef in
Port Graham, AK; Recovered. (BOEM p.121)
 1918 – February 26, vessel stranded north of Seymour
Narrows, BC; Recovered. (BOEM p.132)
 1918 – March 9, vessel struck some rocks and sunk
in Hawk Inlet, AK; Salvaged. (BOEM p.132)
7
SS Admiral Evans
History continued

Vessel History (Cont’d):
 1920 – March 20, vessel stranded in Duncan Bay, BC;
Recovered. (BOEM p.140)
 1925 – June 14, vessel damaged in heavy weather between
Chignik and Alitak in the Aleutians, AK. (BOEM p.163)
 1928 – June 29, vessel stranded on a rock in Zachar Bay,
Kodiak Island, AK; Recovered. (BOEM p.175)
 1932 – March 11, vessel grounded at Tokeen Bay, AK;
Recovered. (BOEM p.193)
 193? – Vessel taken out of service and scrapped in Japan.
8
SS Admiral Evans

Wreck Report:
 On March 9, 1918 the 2,393 gross ton passenger
steamship “Admiral Evans” struck a reef and was
beached in Hawk Inlet, AK. The 91 passengers aboard
were removed and the salvage steamer “Salvor” called
in to refloat the vessel. A hole in her bottom had to be
patched before she could be pumped out. The “Evans,”
built at Toledo, OH, in 1901 went back to work and was
finally scrapped in Japan in the 1930’s. (BOEM p.132)
10
SS Admiral Evans
Approximate Wreck Location:
Lat. 58° 06’ 09”N Lon. 134° 46’ 07”W

Wreck of the SS Admiral Evans, Hawk Inlet, AK, March 9, 1918
11
SS Admiral Evans

12
Vessel(s) Port of Call
SS Admiral Rogers Seattle, Ketchikan, Wrangell, Petersburg, Juneau, Skagway
SS Queen Seattle, Ketchikan, Wrangell, Petersburg, Juneau, Skagway
SS Admiral Evans Seattle, Ketchikan, Petersburg, Juneau, Yakutat, Cordova, Valdez, Seward, Kodiak
SS Admiral Watson Seattle, Ketchikan, Petersburg, Juneau, Yakutat, Cordova, Valdez, Seward, Kodiak
Sailings May-September 1925
SS Admiral Evans

SS Alaska
 Service – Passenger Liner;
 Propulsion – Steam Turbine
Electric propulsion (1932)
 Dimensions – 350.4’ long;
 Built – 1923, by Todd Drydock &
Construction Co., Seattle, WA;
 Owner – Alaska Steamship Co.;
 Registry – US; Signal-KFIM;
 Wrecked – 10/27/1940, at
Malacca Passage, near Elliott
Island, BC;
15
KFIM

Alaska Steamship Co. SS Alaska, in Tongass Narrows, arriving at Ketchikan, AK
16
SS Alaska

Vessel History:
• 1923 – Vessel built by Todd Drydock & Construction
Co., Seattle, WA, for the Alaska Steamship Company.
• 1940 – Vessel was stranded and beached at
Malacca Passage, near Elliott Island, BC. Vessel
was repaired, refloated and placed back in service.
• 1954 – Vessel sold to Margo Pacific Lines and renamed
“Mazatlan.”
• 1955 – Vessel taken out of service and scrapped.
17
SS Alaska

18
SS Alaska
Alaska Steamship Company “SS Alaska” cruising through the Inside Passage

Wreck Report:
 Shortly after midnight on October 27, 1940, on a
southbound voyage to Seattle, the SS Alaska ran
aground at full speed on the rocky shores of Elliott Bay
90 miles south of Ketchikan, near Prince Rupert, BC.
The captain feared a puncture in the ship’s hull, and
ordered the 278 passengers ashore. After the
passengers evacuated into lifeboats, the “SS North
Coast” brought them to Prince Rupert. The ship was
re-floated two days later, inspected at Kennedy Island,
BC, and arrived in Seattle under its own power on
November 1st.
19
SS Alaska
Lat. 54° 04’ 34”N Lon. 130° 15’ 12”W

SS Alaska Lifeboat – Malacca Passage, near Elliott Island, BC
20
SS Alaska

21
SS Alaska Seattle, Ketchikan, Petersburg, Juneau, Seward (Rtn. via Valdez, Cordova, Sitka, Ketchikan, Seattle)
SS Aleutian Seattle, Ketchikan, Juneau, Cordova, Valdez, Seward (Rtn.via Juneau, Wrangell, Ketchikan, Seattle)
SS Baranof Seattle, Ketchikan, Wrangell, Petersburg (Spring Only), Juneau, Seward
SS Denali Seattle, Ketchikan, Juneau (Spring Only), Sitka, Seward
Sailings April-September 1951
SS Alaska

Rotarians aboard SS Alaska – At dock in Ketchikan, AK (circa 1932)
23
SS Alaska

MFV Aldebaran
 Service – Fishing Vessel (Salmon
Seiner);
 Propulsion – Diesel Engine (135
hp), Single Shaft/Screw;
 Construction – Wood Hull;
 Tonnage – 47 grt, 20 net;
 Demensions – 49.7’ x 16.7’ x 7.8’;
 Built – 1959;
 Registry – US (Edmonds, WA),
ON-279129, FCC ID-WL7206;
 Wrecked – August 17, 2007, at
Bold Island, Revillagigedo
Channel.
WL7206
24

Wreck Report:
 The fishing vessel “Aldebaran” ran aground and
flooded when the crew fell asleep on August 17, 2007.
She sank in 79 fathoms of water approximately 10
miles south of Ketchikan near Bold Island. All five
crewmembers abandoned ship to the fishing vessel
“Champion.”
25
MFV Aldebaran
Lat. 55° 14’ 15”N Lon. 131° 25’ 17”W

MFV Aldebaran, decked out for the Christmas Parade
26
MFV Aldebaran

FV Alice
 Service – Halibut Schooner;
 Propulsion – Sail & Motor (Aux.
Gas Engine);
 Dimensions – 57’ x 18.6’ x 6.4’;
 Construction – Wood;
 Built – 1904, in Ballard, WA;
 Master – A.A. Selig;
 Owner – E.A. & M.L. Simms
Registry – US (Seattle), ON-
200704;
 Wrecked – January 31, 1914, in
Sumner Strait near Cape Pole.
27
(p.117)
[Signal Letters
Unknown]

Wreck Report:
 At 12:45 on January 31, 1914, while on a trip from Ketchikan
to Fish Egg (Craig, AK), the wooden gas halibut schooner
“Alice” stranded on a rock in the dark during a strong
westerly breeze and became a total loss. Her master, A.A.
Selig of Seattle, signaled for the engine full speed astern
when he realized his proximity to the shore, but hit before
the vessel responded. An attempt was made to pull the
vessel off but was unsuccessful, and the $9,000 “Alice”
became a total loss. Her 11 person crew made shore safely.
The casualty occurred at Cape Pole, Kosciusko Island,
Sumner Strait. (BOEM p.117)
28
FV Alice
Lat. 55° 57’ 22”N Lon. 133° 49’ 08”W

SS AL-KI
 Service – Cargo Transport;
 Propulsion – Steam,
Compound Engine, Single
Shaft/Screw;
 Tonnage 1259 grt.;
 Dimensions – 200’;
 Built – 1884, by Gross Marine,
Bath, ME (USA);
 Owner – Border Line
Transportation Co.;
 Registry – US, ON-16260;
Signal-KCJT;
 Wrecked – November 1, 1917,
near Pt. Augusta in Icy Strait;
29
KCJT Border Line
Transportation
(p.47/73/83)

Vessel History:
 1884 – Vessel built and launched by Gross Marine in Bathe, Maine
for; Owned by the Border Line Transportation Company.
 1898 – January 25, vessel stranded on Katshin Flats, Gastineau
Channel; Salvaged, returned to service. (BOEM p.47)
 1904 – May 14, vessel went aground near Seymour Narrows, BC;
Saved, repaired and returned to service. (BOEM p.73)
 1907 – April 18, vessel grounded at the mouth of Lawson Creek,
Douglas Island; Refloated 2-days later. (BOEM p.83)
 1917 – May 20, vessel foundered in Fitzhugh Sound, BC; Saved.
(BOEM p.129)
 1917 – November 1, vessel ran aground at Pt. Augusta,
Chichagof Island; Unsalvageable, abandoned and left to
disintegrate. (BOEM p.130)
30
SS AL-KI

SS AL-KI, Profile Photo
31
SS AL-KI

Wreck Report #1:
 On January 20, 1898, the steamer “AL-KI” stranded at
Katshin Flats in Gastineau Channel near Juneau, AK,
in a strong easterly gale and snowstorm. The steamer
“Wolcott” tried unsuccessfully to pull the ship off. The
crew escaped to safety in lifeboats. The vessel was
later salvaged. (BOEM p.47)
32
SS AL-KI
Lat. 58° 16’ 30”N Lon. 134° 22’ 31”W

Wreck Report #2:
 During a dense fog while turning to make a landing at
the wharf at Juneau, AK, on April 18, 1907, the steamer
“Al-KI” grounded on the beach at the mouth of
Lawson Creek in Gastineau Channel, across from
Juneau, AK. She remained ashore until assistance was
rendered by the steamer “Humboldt” on April 20th
and floated her; no damage was reported. (BOEM
p.83)
34
SS AL-KI
Lat. 58° 17’ 15”N Lon. 134° 24’ 37”W

SS AL-KI in the mud flats off Lawson Creek, Douglas Is. (Apr. 5, 1907)
35
SS AL-KI

Wreck Report #3:
 The steamer “Al-KI,” one of the most famous steamers
of the Alaska gold rush era, was lost on November 1,
1917 at Point Augusta, Chichogof Island, 26 miles
southwest of Juneau, AK. She had first gained fame in
1897 as the first scheduled vessel to leave the Seattle
waterfront after the arrival of the “Portland” from the
Klondike goldfields with ‘A Ton of Gold’, thus
beginning the Klondike Gold Rush. (BOEM p.130)
36
SS AL-KI
Lat. 58° 02’ 30”N Lon. 134° 56’ 55”W

SS AL-KI, wrecked in Icy Strait/Chatham Strait, near Point
Augusta (Chichagof Is.)
37
SS AL-KI

SS AL-KI, wrecked at Point Augusta
38
SS AL-KI

SS AL-KI, underway in
Tongass Narrows, near
Ketchikan, AK
SS AL-KI, moored at Skagway, AK
39
SS AL-KI

SS Amur
 Service – Passenger/Cargo
Transport;
 Propulsion – Steam, Triple
Compound Engine, Single
Shaft/Screw;
 Dimensions – 216’ x 28.1’ x 21.2’
 Construction – Iron/Steel;
 Built – 1890, as the SS Famous
in Sunderland, England;
 Owner – Canadian Pacific
Railway
 Registry – CN;
 Wrecked – June 3, 1911, in
Wrangell Narrows (Refloated);
40
(p.101)
[Signal Letters
Unknown]

41
SS Amur steaming along the British Columbia coast
SS Amur (Famous)

Vessel History (p.1):
• 1890 – Vessel launched as the “SS Famous” in
Sunderland, England. Owned by the Amur Steamship
Company Ltd.
• 1891 – Began service as a China coaster.
• 1894 – Began service as a freight transport ship for
Japan
• 1898 – Renamed the “SS Amur” when brought to
British Columbia. Vessel now owned by the Klondyke
Mining, Tranding & Transportation Company.
• 1898 – Began serving the gold rush trade between
Victoria, BC & Wrangell, AK
42
SS Amur (Famous)
History continued

• 1898 – Rescued the sternwheeler “Iskoot” passengers &
crew on the Skeena River, BC.
• 1899 – Vessel now owned by Canadian Pacific
Navigation Company. Began serving the CPN routes
to Alaska, west coast of Vancouver Is., and the Queen
Charlotte Is.
• 1901 – CPN fleet bought by the Canadian Pacific
Railway Company.
• 1901 – Ran aground in Chilkat Inlet, AK. Later
repaired & returned to service.
• 1903 – Broke a propeller and shift on a reef near Port
Simpson, BC. Beached and Repaired. (BOEM p.73)
43
SS Amur (Famous)
History continued

• 1905 – Ran aground at Wrangell, AK.
• 1906 – Ran aground near Metlakatla, AK.
• 1906 – Took medical personnel and relief supplies to
victims of the San Francisco earthquake.
• 1906 – Struck an uncharted rock in Hecate Strait.
• 1911 – Vessel ran aground in Wrangell Narrows, AK
on June 11th. (BOEM p.101)
• 1911 – Vessel retired when her run was taken over by the
“Princess Sophia.”
• 1912 – Sold to Coastwise Steamship & Barge Company,
Ltd.
44
SS Amur (Famous)
History continued

• 1912 – Vessel refitted, began carrying ore from Britannia
Beach & Anyox, BC to Tacoma, WA.
• 1921 – Ran aground in Porlier Pass, BC.
• 1921 – Vessel bought by Captain Albert Berquist and renamed
“SS Famous.”
• 1926 – Wrecked again, on April 26, went up on Louise Rock
in the Skeena River, BC. (BOEM p.165)
• 1928 – Vessel sold to Leith, Murray & Company of Vancouver,
who salvaged parts & beached her at Bedwell Bay, BC.
• 1932 – Vancouver Port Authority ordered her removed. The
Pacific Salvage Company scuttled her in Bedwell Bay, BC.
45
SS Amur (Famous)

46
SS Amur (Famous)
Steamer Amur (ex – SS Famous) moored in Seattle, WA

Wreck Report:
 The Canadian Pacific Steamship Amur ran aground in
Wrangell Narrows, south of Petersburg, AK, on June 3,
1911. The vessel, originally named the “Famous” when
launched in Sunderland, England, in 1890, was
renamed the “Amur” when it was brought to British
Columbia in 1898. The name reverted back to
“Famous” when it was sold in 1924. The vessel was
beached and abandoned at Bedwell Bay, BC in 1928.
As she had become an eyesore the Vancouver Port
Authority ordered her removed. She was scuttled in
Bedwell Bay on Sept. 6th, 1932. (BOEM p.101)
47
SS Amur (Famous)
Lat. 56° 41’ 36”N Lon. 132° 56’ 43”W

SS Amur, on the beach in Wrangell Narrows 48
SS Amur (Famous)

SS Amur, on the beach in Wrangell Narrows 49
SS Amur (Famous)

SS Ancon
Transport;
Propulsion – Side Paddlewheel
Steamer (400 hp);
 Tonnage – 1208.05 grt;
 Dimensions – 260’ x 48.9’ x 17.7’;
 Built – 1873, at San Francisco, CA;
 Master – Captain D. Wallace;
 Owner – Pacific Coast Steamship
Co., San Francisco, CA;
 Registry – US (San Francisco), ON-
1522; Signal-JSTF;
 Wrecked (1) – September 13, 1886,
off Pt. Gustavus in Icy Strait
(Beached/Repaired/Refloated);
 Wrecked (2) – August 28, 1889, at
Loring, AK (Naha Bay, Revillagigedo
Island).
JSTF
51
(p.33/34/37)

SS Ancon, underway in Southeast Alaska 52
SS Ancon

Vessel History:
 1873 – Vessel built and launched at San Francisco, CA
 1886 – On September 13, the vessel struck a
submerged object and almost sunk; Beached &
repaired at Pt. Gustavus, Icy Strait. (BOEM p.33)
 1987 – On October 1, the vessel incurred some kind of
incident involving ‘inadequate manning.’ (BOEM p.34)
 1989 – On August 28, the vessel stranded,
foundered and was lost in Naha Bay at Loring, AK.
(BOEM p.37)
53
SS Ancon

SS Ancon, at the Salmon Saltery (prior to construction of the APA Cannery
54
SS Ancon

Wreck Report #1:
 September 13th, 1886, the Steamer “Ancon” struck the
rock at the entrance to Glacier Bay, AK, that is since
known as Ancon Rock, off Point Gustavus, and was
only saved from sinking from the empty salmon
barrels stowed in her hold. She was kept afloat by
them until she reached shore where she was beached.
(BOEM p.33)
55
SS Ancon
Lat. 58° 22’ 32”N Lon. 135° 55’ 45”W

The Paddlewheel Steamer Ancon in Glacier Bay 56
SS Ancon

Wreck Report #2:
 On Wednesday August 28, 1889, at 3:15 in the morning,
the American wood steamer “Ancon” stranded on a
projecting rock in Naha Bay at Loring, AK, and
become a total loss. She was just leaving the area with
119 passengers, 72 crew, and a 500 ton cargo of salmon,
bullion and general merchandise valued at $80,000. A
strong northeasterly wind, thick weather, rain, dark
night and tide are said to have taken the vessel off
course. (BOEM p.37)
57
SS Ancon
Lat. 55° 36’ 08”N Lon. 131° 38’ 12”W

58
SS Ancon, on the beach at Loring, AK
SS Ancon

The remains of the wreck Of the SS Ancon, at Naha Bay
59
SS Ancon

SS Ancon, aground in Naha Bay, AK
60
SS Ancon

SS Anna Barron
 Service – Cargo/Towing;
 Propulsion – Steam;
 Tonnage - 82 grt;
 Dimensions – 76.8’ x 19.2’ x 7.5’
 Built – 1902; Astoria, OR
 Master – Captain George D.
Black;
 Owner – Alaska Pacific Salmon
Corp, Deleware;
 Registry – US (Ketchikan), ON-
107759;
 Wrecked – July 22, 1930, at
Ansley Point in Icy Strait.
61
(p.184)
[Signal Letters
Unknown]

Wreck Report:
 At 12:30 a.m. on Tuesday July 22, 1930 the wood steam
cannery tender “Anna Barron” was forced onto the
rocks and stranded at Ansley Point in Icy Strait, AK
and became a total loss. The vessel had departed
Funter Bay on July 20th bound for Point Adolphys and
way points with a crew of seven, captained by George
D. Black of Seattle. (BOEM p.184)
63
SS Anna Barron
Lat. 58° 11’ 53”N Lon. 135° 06’ 44”W

Cannery Tender Anna Barron, working in Funter Bay, AK 64
SS Anna Barron

FV Bering Sea
 Service – Fishing Vessel (Halibut
Longliner);
 Propulsion – Diesel Engine, Single
Shaft/Screw, 182 hp;
 Dimensions – 4o.3’ x 14.3’ x 8.0’;
 Construction – Fiberglass
 Built – 1978, at Gig Harbor, WA;
 Owner – Darell B. Ness;
 Registry – US (Juneau), ON-593306,
FCC ID-WSZ7267;
 Wrecked – March 21, 2003, Yakobi
Island near Cape Bingham.
WSZ7267
66

Wreck Report:
 The 40 foot halibut longline fishing vessel “Bering Sea”
stranded and was lost March 21, 2003 on the northwest
coast of Yakobi Island near Cape Bingham, AK. All
three crewmembers and a dog abandoned ship to a life
raft and were rescued by a US Coast Guard Helicopter
and transported to Juneau, AK.
67
FV Bering Sea
Lat. 58° 06’ 01”N Lon. 136° 31’ 16”W

Wreck of the MFV Bering Sea at Yakobi Island, near Cape Bingham
68
FV Bering Sea

SV Canada
 Propulsion – Sail (Bark
Layout);
 Tonnage – 1190.58 grt;
 Dimensions – 177’ x 36.7’ x 23.6’;
 Built – 1859, at Bath, ME;
 Master – Capt. Fred C.
Andrews;
 Owner – Walter Oaker;
 Registry – US (Port Townsend),
ON-5305, Signal-HTND;
 Wrecked – February 19, 1898
in Lynn Canal, near Haines, AK
69
Juneau Empire
Article
HTND
(p.48)

70
The Canada, an American Sailing Ship & Klondike gold rush vessel
SV Canada

Wreck Report:
 The American bark “Canada” was lost in a heavy
northeasterly gale at Skagway, AK, February 19, 1898.
Around 2:00 p.m. she broke her moorings and went adrift
with $14,000 worth of lumber, some hay and grain, and four
horses aboard. (BOEM p.48)
 When in danger a tug from shore tried to help her, but could
not. The Capt. got the sails up but could not avoid going
ashore. When she went ashore the Capt. fastened her to a
tree with lines and cables and as she could not stay on
account of the sea breaking over her and listing badly, went
back to Skagway with the crew. It was below zero and
blowing hard. She broke adrift and went down near Haines
Mission ashore. From there …Tug “Coleman” towed her into
Skagway and she went on beach there, and is there now.
71
SV Canada
Lat. 59° 28’ 35”N Lon. 135° 20’ 18”W

72
The Bark Canada in Nahku Bay, AK
SV Canada

Wreck of the Sailing Bark Canada near Skagway, AK, in 1898 73
SV Canada

SS City of Seattle
 Service – Passenger Ship;
 Machinery – Propeller driven;
 Demensions – 244.6 ft.;
 Built – 1890, in Philadelphia, PA;
Co., Seattle, WA;
 Registry – US (New York), ON-
126635; Signal-KHLJ;
 Wrecked – Grounded in
Ketchikan, AK on August 15, 1912
(Refloated).
74
(p.82/90/107)
KHLJ

SS City of Seattle, arriving at Ketchikan, AK
75
SS City of Seattle

 1890 – Vessel built and launched by Neafie & Levy Shipyard at
Philadelphia, PA for Puget Sound & Alaska Steamship Co.
 1891 – Vessel arrived in Puget Sound & began servicing the
Alaska run.
 1896 – Vessel sold to Washington and Alaska Steamship Co.
 1899 – Vessel took group of Seattlites on a tour of Alaska, during
which a totem pole was stolen from a Tlingit village.
 1901/03 – Vessel sold to Pacific Coast Steamship Co.
 1904 – Vessel supposedly went aground on a sand spit opposite
the Ketchikan Power Co. sawmill on July 2, according to the
Seattle Post-Intelligencer. However, this was refuted by the
Ketchikan Mining Journal on 7/16/1904. (BOEM p.74)
76
SS City of Seattle
History continued

 1904 – On November 23, vessel struck an uncharted rock and
went aground near Eagle River Harbor, AK.
 1906 –Vessel stranded on Trial Island, BC, on September 19;
Refloated. (BOEM p.82)
 1908 – Vessel stranded at Camp Point, Johnstone Strait, BC
on September 12: Refloated. (BOEM p.90)
 1912 – Vessel grounded in Tongass Narrows at Charcoal
Point, near Ketchikan, AK on August 15; Refloated. (BOEM
p.107)
 1916 – Vessel transferred to the Pacific Steamship Co. after parent
company merger.
 1921 – Vessel sold to Miami Steamship Co. for service on the east
coast.
 1937 – Vessel returned to Philadelphia to be scrapped.
77
SS City of Seattle

SS City of Seattle, moored at the Funter Bay Cannery
78
SS City of Seattle

Wreck Report #1:
 While maneuvering in Eagle River Harbor, AK and
waiting for a lighter to unload on November 23, 1904,
the vessel struck an uncharted rock, punching a small
hole under her port boilers. The “City of Seattle” was
beached and temporary repairs were made. (BOEM
p.75)
80
SS City of Seattle
Lat. 58° 29’ 56”N Lon. 134° 47’ 58”W

Wreck Reports #2:
 The steamer “City of Seattle” was stranded on Trial
Island, BC, on September 19, 1906; Later refloated and
placed back into service. (BOEM p.82)
82
SS City of Seattle
This incident, although outside of Alaska, were included because I have some great photos
Lat. 48° 23’ 51”N Lon. 123° 18’ 19”W

83
SS City of Seattle, aground at Trial Island, BC
SS City of Seattle

Wreck Reports #3:
 The “SS City of Seattle” was stranded at Camp Point,
Johnstone Strait, BC on September 12, 1908: It was
refloated and put back in service. (BOEM p.90)
84
SS City of Seattle
Lat. 50° 22’ 57”N Lon. 125° 49’ 10”W

Wreck Report #4:
 The Pacific Coast Steamship “City of Seattle,” ran
aground in Tongass Narrows at Charcoal Point, near
Ketchikan, AK in the panhandle of Alaska on August
15, 1912. Vessel was refloated and placed back into
service. (BOEM p.107)
85
SS City of Seattle
Lat. 55° 21’ 19”N Lon. 131° 41’ 52”W

86
SS City of Seattle
On The Beach at
Ketchikan, AK
SS City of Seattle

SS City of Seattle, aground near Ketchikan, AK (August 15, 1912)
87
SS City of Seattle

88
State of California San Francisco, Los Angeles (Redondo Beach), Los Angeles (San Pedro), San Diego
City of Topeka San Francisco, Eureka
City of Seattle Seattle, Prince Rupert, Ketchikan, Wrangell, Juneau, Douglas, Haines, Skagway
SS City of Seattle

SS City of Seattle, 1907
SS City of Seattle, moored Skagway
89
SS City of Seattle

SS City of Topeka
 Service – Passenger
Transport;
 Tonnage – 1,057 grt.;
 Dimensions – 198 ft.;
 Built – 1884, at Chester, PA;
 Registry – US (Portland),
ON-126241, Signal-KCPL;
 Wrecked – December 8,
1900;
90
p.65
KCPL

Vessel History:
 1864 – Vessel built by an unknown shipyard in Chester, PA;
Operated by Pacific Coast Steamship Co. on the Alaska run.
 1891 – Vessel collided with the vessel “Teaser” at Near Race
Rocks, BC on July 1. (BOEM p.40)
 1895 – Vessel stranded in Wrangell Narrows, AK, on April 1;
Saved. (BOEM p.43)
 1899 – Vessel struck a rock in Wrangell Narrows , AK, on March
29; Required $20,000 in salvage & repairs. (BOEM p.60)
 1900 – Vessel struck the rocks at the south end of Sullivan
Island in Lynn Canal; Salvaged. (BOEM p.65)
 1900 – Vessel sunk next to the dock in Seattle, WA; Salvaged.
92
SS City of Topeka
History continued

 1901 – Vessel collided with ice near Taku Inlet, AK, on
November 2 and incurred $6,000 in damages;
Salvaged. (BOEM p. 68)
 1906 – Vessel picks up survivors from the “SS Valencia.”
 1916 – Vessel acquired by the Admiral Line and to run
between Portland, OR and San Francisco, CA.
 1920 – Sold to the Inter-Island Steamship Co.
 1923 – Sold to the Los Angeles Steamship Co. and
renamed “Waimea.”
 1933 – Vessel scrapped.
93
SS City of Topeka

SS City of Topeka, in Glacier Bay at the Muir Glacier
94
SS City of Topeka

Wreck Report:
 On December 8th, 1900 the Steamer "City of Topeka"
struck the rocks at the south end of Sullivan Island, in
Lynn Canal. Her passengers and crew were fortunate
enough to reach the shore with enough equipment to
make a camp in the midst of the storm that was
howling down the Chilkat Inlet. (BOEM p.65)
95
SS City of Topeka
Lat. 58° 53’ 53”N Lon. 135° 18’ 13”W

SS City of Topeka, in Lynn Canal, near Sullivan Island
96
SS City of Topeka

SS City of Topeka, in Lynn Canal, near Sullivan Island
97
SS City of Topeka

98
SS City of Topeka
State of California San Francisco, Los Angeles (Redondo Beach), Los Angeles (San Pedro), San Diego
City of Topeka San Francisco, Eureka
City of Seattle Seattle, Prince Rupert, Ketchikan, Wrangell, Juneau, Douglas, Haines, Skagway

99
City of Topeka – Sunk in Seattle – Approximately 1900
SS City of Topeka

SS Clara Nevada
Transport;
 Propulsion – Sail & Steam, 3-
masts, Simple Steam Engine, Single
Shaft/Screw;
 Dimensions – 154’ x 24.7’ x 11.8’;
 Construction – Iron Hull;
 Built – 1872, by Wood & Dialogue,
Camden, NJ (as the SS Hassler);
 Master – Capt. C.H. Lewis
 Owner – Pacific & Alaska Trading
Co.;
 Registry – US (Seattle), ON-
127222, Signal-KNGL;
 Wrecked – February 5-9, 1898, on
Eldred Reef in Lynn Canal
100
KNGL
(p.48)

101
SS Clara Nevada
SS Clara Nevada, 1897 to 1908 (Wreck finally found in 1908)

Vessel History:
 1870 – Special vessel ordered by the US Coast Survey for
hydrographic work in the Pacific.
 1871 – Vessel built by Dialogue & Company, River Iron Works,
Camden, NJ; Commissioned as the “USCSS Hassler” (for
Ferdinand Rudolph Hassler).
 1871/72 – Sailed the Hassler Expedition, under Cdr. Philip
Carrigan Johnson; 1st major government marine scientific
expedition.
 1895 – After almost 25 years of service, vessel was
decommissioned.
 1897 – Vessel sold to McGuire Brothers and renamed “SS Clara
Nevada.”
 1898 – Vessel wrecked and sunk on February 5th with
between 25 & 40 passengers aboard. (BOEM p.48)
102
SS Clara Nevada

SS Clara Nevada. Originally named SS Hassler when owned by the US Government
and used as an American Research vessel.
103
Article by - Maritime
Heritage Project
Article by -
Robin Barefield
Interesting articles about the “SS Clara Nevada”
Article by -
NUMA
Article by -
The Baltimore Sun
Ghost Ship of
Lynn Canal
Article from –
Explore North SS Clara Nevada

Wreck Report:
 February 5, 1898 between 9 and 10 p.m. the 388 ton
wooden passenger steamer “Clara Nevada” struck
Eldred Reef in Lynn Canal, AK, stranded and caught
fire. Because of the 90 mile an hour gale and
snowstorm that evening, the vessel was unable to
launch lifeboats. Two men saw her burning from eight
miles away. The crew was estimated to be about 42
souls and passengers estimated at 30 to 40 souls, all of
whom were lost. The “Clara Nevada” had left Seattle
January 27 bound for Skagway and Dyea, AK. (BOEM
p.48)
104
SS Clara Nevada
Lat. 58° 58’ 16”N Lon. 135° 13’ 16”W

SS Cottage City
Transport;
 Propulsion – Steam, 1x3
cylinder Triple Expansion Engine,
Single Shaft/Screw, 181 nhp;
 Dimensions – 233’ x 40.7’ x 16.7’;
 Construction – Wood Hull
 Built – 1890, by Bath Iron
Works, Bath, ME (USA);
 Owner – Pacific Coast
Steamship Co., San Francisco, CA
 Registry – US, ON-126613,
Signal-KGWT;
 Wrecked – September 7, 1902.
106
KGWT
(p.70)

SS Cottage City, moored at Skagway, AK
107
SS Cottage City

Vessel History:
 1890 – Vessel built by a partnership of the New England
Shipbuilding Co. and Bath Iron Works on the Kennebec
River at Bath, Maine.
 1891 – Vessel served the Maine Steamship line for over
seven years, between Portland, ME & New York City.
 1899 – Vessel sold to the Pacific Coast Steamship Co. for
service between Seattle, WA and Alaska.
 1902 – Vessel ran aground at Island Point on Etolin
Island, AK, on September 7th; Refloated. (BOEM
p.70)
108
SS Cottage City
History continued

 1903 – Vessel suffered a broken piston rod, cylinder &
cylinder head while crossing Frederick Sound; Ship was able
to proceed on to Seattle, WA for repairs. (BOEM p-71)
 1904 – Vessel fined for towing “SS Al-KI” off reef in Seymour
Narrows after she refused help from a Canadian ship. (BOEM
p.73)
 1909 – One September 27, the vessel lost a propeller while
steaming across Fitzhugh Sound, BC. (BOEM p.94)
 1911 – Vessel caught in a blinding snowstorm & heavy fog,
and grounded on a reef just off Quadra Island, BC. Everyone
was rescued but the vessel was lost. (BOEM p.100)
109
SS Cottage City

SS Cottage City, Built in Bath, ME, in 1890
110
SS Cottage City

Wreck Report:
 The steamship “Cottage City” was reported lost
September 7, 1902 when whe ran around at Island
Point on Etolin Island, AK. She was valued at $50,000
with cargo at the time of the casualty. Later accounts
have the vessel salvaged. (BOEM p.70)
111
SS Cottage City
Lat. 56° 03’ 00”N Lon. 132° 39’ 41”W

SS Cottage City, Skagway Harbor, AK
112
SS Cottage City

Cottage City arriving Juneau
Cottage City arriving Skagway
113
SS Cottage City

SS Curacao
 Propulsion – Sail & Steam, Triple
Expansion Engine Single
Shaft/Screw, 1170 hp.
 Dimensions – 241’ x 38.1’ x 16.4’;
 Construction – Iron Hull
 Built – 1895, by William Cramp &
Sons, Ship & Engine Co.,
Philadelphia, PA
Company;
 Master – Capt. William
Thompson;
127113, Signal-KMNJ;
 Wrecked – June 21, 1913, near
Culebra Island Tonowak Bay.
114
KMNJ
(p.111/112)

Vessel History:
 1895 – Vessel built by William Cramp & Sons, Ship &
Engine Co., Philadelphia, PA.
 1913 – On April 20th, the vessel struck a sand bar
and stranded on Fish Egg Island in San Christoval
Channel near Craig, AK (BOEM p.111)
 1913 – On June 21th, the vessel ripped the bottom
out of her hull on an uncharted reef at Tonowek
Bay, Warm Chuck Inlet, AK. Vessel later salvaged
and renamed “Hellenic Skipper.” (BOEM p.112)
 1940 – Vessel lost in a fire.
115
SS Curacao

SS Curacao (ca. 1912)
116
SS Curacao

Wreck Report #1:
 The steamer “Curacao” struck a sand bar in fog and
stranded on Fish Egg Island, in San Christoval
Channel, near Craig, AK on April 20, 1913. She was on
her southern run from loading marble at Tokeen, AK.
She was refloated and went to Seattle for drydock and
repair. (BOEM p.111)
117
SS Curacao
Lat. 55° 30’ 12”N Lon. 133° 11’ 11”W

Wreck Report #2:
 Under the command of Capt. William Thompson, the
steamer “Curacao” stranded and sank after ripping out
most of her bottom on an uncharted reef at Tonowek Bay,
Warm chuck Inlet, AK. The vessel hit with such speed that
the passengers were thrown from their berths; 85
passengers and crew were brought to Ketchikan by the
survey vessel “Gedney.” A major salvage effort saved the
vessel. Cargo lost included a big consignment of horse feed
for the government road camp at Juneau, plumbing fittings
for Sheep Creek, twenty ore cars for the Perseverance Mine,
a shipment of sugar for the Raymond store, and a
motorcycle for the 4th of July races. (BOEM p.112)
118
SS Curacao
Lat. 55° 44’ 27”N Lon. 133° 27’ 26”W

Wreck of the SS Curacao near Culebra Island in Tonowak Bay
119
SS Curacao

Steamer Curacao wrecked near Culebra
Island, in Tonowak Bay, on the west
coast of Prince of Wales Island in
Southeast Alaska
120
SS Curacao

SS Delhi
cylinder Expansion Engine,
Single Shaft/Screw;
 Dimensions – 227’ x 39.4’;
 Built – 1906, by Hall Bros., Port
Blakely, WA;
 Owner – Pacific Navigation
Co., New York, NY
 Registry – US, ON-203502,
Signal-KVPJ;
 Wrecked – January 18, 1915
121
KVPJ
(p.116/118/121)

Vessel History:
 1906 - Built by Hall Bros., Port Blakely, WA;
 1912 – Spent several weeks in January of that year on a sand
spit after unsuccessfully trying to navigate the Kuskokwim
River, AK. (BOEM p.104)
 1913 – Touched bottom in Snow Passage near Zarembo
Island, AK on December 26. (BOEM p.116)
 1914 – On May 14th, the vessel grounded at Davidson
Inlet, AK; Refloated. (BOEM p.118)
 1915 – Struck an unknown reef in Sumner Strait, AK on
January 18. Vessel was lost. (BOEM p.121)
122
SS Delhi

Wreck Report #1:
 On December 26, 1913, the steamer “Delhi” touched
bottom with minor damage only, while transiting
through Snow Passage in Clarence Strait near Zarembo
Island, AK. (BOEM p.116)
123
SS Delhi
Lat. 56° 16’ 37”N Lon. 132° 57’ 36”W

Wreck Report #2:
 On May 12, 1914, the steamer “Delhi” grounded at
Davidson Inlet, off the west coast of Prince of Wales
Island, AK; She was later refloated. (BOEM p.118)
124
SS Delhi
Lat. 55° 59’ 39”N Lon. 133° 29’ 46”W

Wreck Report #3:
 The 986 ton wood steamer “Delhi” stranded at Straits
Island Reef in Sumner Strait, AK and was lost at 8:05
p.m. January 18, 1915. The vessel and her crew of 27
departed Craig that day bound for Wrangell with 7.5
tons of empty oil drums and merchandise. The crew
survived the incident but not the “Delhi.” The “Salvor”
gave up salvage attempt due to weather, but later the
“Taku II” towed the hulk to Ketchikan, AK. It was
eventually towed to Prince Rupert, BC and scrapped.
(BOEM p.121)
125
SS Delhi
Lat. 56° 22’ 53”N Lon. 133° 41’ 58”W

SS Delhi, wrecked on Straits Island Reef, in Sumner Strait in 1915
126
SS Delhi

127
SS Delphi on the reef at Strait Island, Sumner Strait, Alaska
SS Delhi

129
Steamship Delhi at Thomas
Basin, after being towed to
Ketchikan, AK
Foundered & Sunk at Straits Is.
SS Delhi

SS Dirigo
 Propulsion – Sail & Steam,
600 hp;
 Dimensions – 165’ x 35.1’ x
22.6’;
 Built – 1898, by Matthews
Shipbuilding Co, Hoquiam, WA;
 Owner – Alaska Steamship
Co., Seattle, WA;
 Registry – US (Seattle), ON-
157502, Signal-KNGW;
 Wrecked – November 16, 1914.
KNGW
130
Story of
O.G. Herning
(p.120)

Vessel History:
 1898 – Vessel built by Matthews Shipbuilding Co,
Hoquiam, WA.
 1898 – Vessel collided with the steamer Czarina at Juneau
on April 19th. (BOEM p.50)
 1899 – Vessel stranded in a heavy snowstorm at Mary
Island, Revillagigedo Channel, AK on March 10th ; Vessel
Saved. (BOEM p.60)
 1900 – Vessel purchased by Alaska Steamship Co.
 1904 – Vessel touched bottom while entering Saginaw Bay,
Frederick Sound, AK, to anchor. (BOEM p.73)
 1914 – Vessel foundered in heavy seas on November 16th
while in tow of the steamer “Cordova” off Cape
Spencer. (BOEM p.120)
131
SS Dirigo

SS Dirigo motoring through Skagway Bay in July 1899
132
SS Dirigo

Wreck Report:
 The 843 ton steam powered schooner “Dirigo”
foundered off of Cape Spencer while in tow of the
vessel “Cordova,” on November 16, 1914. Captain John
Johnson and the crew of 1 were taken aboard the
“Cordova.”
133
SS Dirigo
Lat. 58° 11’ 52”N Lon. 136° 36’ 30”W

134
S.S. Dirigo aground with gold in the hold
SS Dirigo

Alaska Steamship Co. SS Dirigo 135
SS Dirigo

MV Discoverer
 Service – Freight Transport;
 Propulsion – Diesel, single
engine, shaft & propeller;
 Tonnage – 98 grt.;
 Dimensions – 84’ x 18’ x 6.5’;
 Built – in 1933, at Seattle, WA;
 Owner – Ketchikan
Transportation Co., AK;
 Registry – US (Ketchikan); ON-
232189;
 Wrecked – July 21, 1969.
136
(p.386)
[Signal Letters
Unknown]

Wreck Report:
 The passenger and freight vessel “Discoverer” was
driven ashore and lost after suffering engine failure on
July 21, 1969 in Cordova Bay off Sukkwan Island, south
of Hydaburg, AK. All those onboard escaped to the
beach.
137
MV Discoverer
Lat. 55° 00’ 40”N Lon. 132° 41’ 44”W

MV Dry Heat
Service – Recreational
(Cabin Cruiser);
Propulsion – Diesel Engine;
Dimensions – 32’;
Registry – US (AK6941P),
Out of Service (Destroyed)
7/22/2001;
Wrecked – July 22, 2001;
139
[Signal Letters
Unknown]

Wreck Report:
 The Motor Vessel “Dry Heat” was a 32 foot pleasure vessel that
burned and sank July 22nd 2001 near Streets Island 10 miles west
of Ketchikan, AK. Four adults and five children abandoned ship
to the icy waters. The vessels “Show Girl” and “Sheltered Seas”
responded to the distress call and rescued all nine. The “Dry
Heat” sank in 200 fathoms of water.
 Coast Guard radio operators at US Coast Guard Station
Ketchikan overheard radio distress call from 32-foot vessel “Dry
Heat” at 8:46 a.m. reporting that fire engulfed vessel near Streets
Island, 10 miles W. of Ketchikan, AK. Station Ketchikan rescue
boat crew responded to the scene at 8:49 a.m. with firefighting
equipment, but Good Samaritans aboard two vessels, the “Show
Girl” & the “Sheltered Seas” from Sportsman's Cove Lodge
arrived on scene 1st & rescued 9 uninjured boaters.
140
MV Dry Heat
Lat. 55° 28’ 42”N Lon. 132° 07’ 55”W

MV Fornance, James Jos
 Service – Military Transport
Vessel (US Army Quartermaster
Corps);
 Propulsion – Steam Engine;
 Tonnage – 164 grt.
 Dimensions – 98’ long;
 Built – 1909, by Willamette Iron
& Steel Co, Portland, OR;
 Registry – US, FCC ID-WYAM;
 Wrecked – April 9, 1939;
Grounded at Spire Island, near
Ketchikan, AK
WYAM
142
(p.228)

Wreck Report:
 When the 98 foot “James Jos Fornance,” (named after US
Army Captain James J. Fornance), a US Army boat bound
from Chilkoot Barracks (Haines, AK) to Seattle, WA, with
seventeen people aboard, was off course. She struck a rock
at full speed on the shore side of Spire Island light, just
south of Ketchikan, AK, at 4:30 in the morning of April 9,
1939.
 The USCG vessel “Cygan” was unable to pull the boat from
the rock because of the falling tide. The “Cygan” returned
to Ketchikan for cement and supplies to repair the leaks in
the forefoot and tanks during low tide. On the next high
tide, the “Cygan” was able to pull the vessel off the rocks.
(BOEM p.228)
143
Lat. 55° 16’ 05”N Lon. 131° 30’ 03”W

MV Captain James Fornance, aground at Spire Island Reef, Revillagigedo Channel
144

SV General Siglin
 Service – Sealing Schooner;
 Propulsion – Sail, 2-masts;
 Tonnage – 85 grt., 81 net;
 Dimensions – 80’ x 23’ x 8.4’;
 Built – 1894, at Marshfield, OR;
 Route - Traveling from San
Francisco to Kodiak, AK;
 Registry – US (San Francisco),
ON-86298;
 Wrecked – June 13,1897
146
Wreck of the
General Siglin
(p.45/70)
[Signal Letters
Unknown]

Wreck Report:
 The waterlogged dismasted hulk of the sealing schooner “General
Siglin” was reported seen at 53 15 N 135 55 W by the sealing schooner
“Willard Ainsworth” May 5, 1898. Her bulwarks were stove in and
boats missing. She had departed San Francisco bound for Kodiak, AK.
The “USCG Cutter Corwin” was dispatched to the area to locate the
“General Siglin.” “Should either the vessel or people be found you will
render all possible assistance. In addition to a valuable cargo of
merchandise the vessel carries $4,000 in coin.”
 On June 13, 1897 the vessel was located by the “Corwin” minus her crew
except for the body of her mate who was found lashed to the davits and
a small boy found hidden in the cabin. The $4,000 in coin was still
aboard the “General Siglin.” The vessel was towed to Sitka, AK and
beached. This wreck is very similar to the “General Siglin” that lost in
1902 off False Pass, AK. May be same vessel as both were built in 1894.
(BOEM p.45 & 70)
147
SV General Siglin
Lat. 53° 15’ 00”N Lon. 135° 55’ 00”W

SV General Siglin, on the Moran Bros. Co. marine ways
148
SV General Siglin

FV Icy Queen
 Service – Fishing Vessel (Salmon
Seiner);
 Propulsion – Diesel Engine (135
hp), Single Shaft/Screw;
 Dimensions – 49.9’ x 16.1’ x 7.7’;
 Built – 1945, in Seattle, WA;
 Owner – Excursion Inlet Packing
Company;
 Registry – US (Juneau), ON-
247580, FCC ID-WA8869;
 Wrecked – January 15, 1988.
WA8869
149

Wreck Report:
 The 55 foot fishing vessel Icy Queen capsized in
Meares Passage and washed ashore on the west side of
Suemez Island January 15, 1988. All six crewmen were
rescued. The vessel was later towed to a sandy beach
and salvaged. Evidence of the wreck may still be on
site and of interest.
150
FV Icy Queen
Lat. 55° 12’ 15”N Lon. 133° 25’ 56”W

Motor Fishing Vessel Icy Queen
151
FV Icy Queen

FV Investor
 Service – Fishing Vessel
(Salmon Seiner);
 Propulsion – Diesel Engine,
Single Shaft/Screw;
 Dimensions – 58’;
 Construction – Fiberglass Hull:
 Owner – Mark Coulthurst,
Blaine, WA;
 Wrecked – September 1, 1982
152
[Signal Letters
Unknown]

Wreck Report:
 The 58 foot seiner “Investor” was consumed by fire
September 1, 1982 while anchored at Egg Island
outside of Craig. The crew and passengers were found
aboard the seiner murdered by an unknown gunman.
Witnesses saw a lone male departing in a skiff as the
Investor burned.
153
FV Investor
‘Click’ for more information
Article in the
NY Daily News
Article by
Unresolved
Reddit
Article
Article in
People Mag.
Article in the
Anchorage Daily News
Lat. 55° 29’ 11”N Lon. 133° 09’ 34”W

154
FV Investor
Book – Amazon.com

155
FV Investor
The Story of the
Investor Massacre
[Video]
Investor to Craig -
The Final Journey
[Video]
What Happened
in Craig, AK
[Video]

158
FV Investor
A painting of the doomed
Fishing Vessel “Investor”
Credit: James Williamson

SS Islander
 Service – Passenger Transport;
cylinder Triple Expansion
Engine, Dual Shafts/Screws, 324
nhp;
 Dimensions – 240’ x 42’ x 14’;
 Construction – Steel Hull;
 Speed – 15 knots;
 Built – 1888, by Napier Shanks
& Bell, Glasgow
 Master – Capt. H.R. Foot
Steamship Co.;
 Registry – GB, ON-95093;
 Wrecked – August 15, 1901
159
(p.67)
[Signal Letters
Unknown]

Vessel History:
 1888 – Vessel built by Napier Shanks & Bell, Glasgow,
Scotland.
 1901 - Vessel taken over with the acquisition by CPR of
the Canadian Pacific Navigation Co.
 1901 – Vessel collided with an iceberg and sank in
Lynn Canal near Stephens Passage, with the loss
of 65 lives. (BOEM p.67)
160
SS Islander

SS Islander, underway
161
SS Islander
Article in
SitNews
Article in
Vancouver Sun
Article in
Juneau Empire
Article in
Yukon Nuggets
Article in
Coin World
Shipwreck
Investigations

SS Islander (on right) moored at Skagway, AK
162
SS Islander

British Steamer SS Islander
164
SS Islander

Wreck Report:
 The British steamer “Islander” collided with an iceberg
off the south end of Douglas Island in Lynn Canal near
Stephens Passage on August 15, 1901 shortly after
leaving Juneau. There were 109 passengers and 62
crew aboard; 45 were lost. Some reports have as many
as 70 lost. The “Islander” was rumored to be carrying
1.5 to 3 million in gold aboard when she sank. Many
attempts at salvage have taken place since the disaster.
One account tells of the vessel being raised in 1934
from 365 feet with no gold aboard. (BOEM p.67)
165
SS Islander
Lat. 58° 10’ 41”N Lon. 134° 15’ 48”W

SS Islander, undergoing salvage
166
SS Islander

SS Islander
Salvage Operations
167
SS Islander

SS Islander – Salvaging Operations
168
SS Islander

SS Islander – Salvaging Operations
169
SS Islander

FV Jolene M
(Salmon Troller);
 Propulsion –
 Registry - US
 Wrecked – Date Unknown
170
[Signal Letters
Unknown]

Wreck Report:
 The “Jolene M,” a salmon troller, drug anchor and hit
Highwater Island in Funter Bay, on a stormy night
many years ago (date unknown). The owner
attempted to re-float and beach it for repairs, but was
never successful in this effort.
171
FV Jolene M
Lat. 58° 15’ 24”N Lon. 134° 53’ 15”W

The MFV Jolene M, sunk in Funter Bay, as she looked many years ago
172
FV Jolene M

The Jolene M, sunk in Funter Bay, as she looks today
173
FV Jolene M

MV Manhattan
 Service – Halibut Schooner;
 Propulsion – Steam (800 hp);
 Dimensions – 129’ x 24’ x 14’;
 Built – 1905 at Philadelphia, PA;
 Owner – New England Fish Co.
 Registry – US (Portland, ME),
ON-202845, Signal-KVGW;
 Wrecked – November 15, 1917,
off Lituya Bay, AK;
174
KVGW
(p.130)

Wreck Report:
 The 291 ton steel hulled halibut steamer “Manhattan” struck an uncharted rock off Lituya
Bay and was lost at 2:00 a.m. Thursday November 15, 1917. The “Manhattan” departed
Vancouver, B.C. October 29, 1917 on a fishing venture with 34 crewmen aboard. The
vessel came across the stranded and abandoned wreck of the “Al-KI” on Novewmber 1st
near Point Augusta. The crew looted the vessel, taking whatever they could find of
value.
 They then proceeded to the halibut fishing grounds of the Gulf of Alaska. By the time of
the disaster, they had caught 80,000 lbs. of fresh fish worth $12,000. While heading to
Cape Spencer with their newly caught load of halibut, John Kolseth of Vancouver, master
of the “Manhattan,” lost his bearings in a gale and thick snowstorm and stranded the
“Manhattan” off Lituya Bay. The crew abandoned ship in dories but were unable to land
because of an enraged brown bear that pursued them through the surf.
 Thirty hours after the stranding they spotted the “Mariposa” passing and managed to
attract their attention by burning an oilskin coat. They were rescued and taken to Juneau
where they were promptly arrested for looting the “Al-KI.” The “Mariposa” had been the
vessel that had rescued the crew of the “Al-KI” as well as those of the “Manhattan.” When
the crew of the “Mariposa” heard that the crew of the “Manhattan” had looted the “Al-KI”
they radioed ahead to the authorities. Charges against the crew of the “Manhattan” were
soon dropped as all of the evidence had gone down with the “Manhattan” somewhere
near Lituya Bay. (BOEM p.130)
175
MV Manhattan
Lat. 58° 36’ 39”N Lon. 137° 39’ 55”W

The Handsome Halibut Steamer Manhattan, at the NEFCO dock in Vancouver, BC
176
MV Manhattan

SS Mariechen
Service – Cargo Transport;
Propulsion – Steam;
Built – 1883, by Napier Shanks
& Bell, Glasgow;
Tonnage – 3930 grt;
Owner – Michael Jebsen,
Hamburg;
Registry – Germany, ON-
87725
Wrecked – January 25, 1906
177
[Signal Letters
Unknown]
(p.79)

Vessel History:
 1883 – Built by Napier Shanks & Bell, Glasgow,
Scotland.
 1905 – After leaving Puget Sound for Vladivostok,
vessel became disabled and adrift on December 25th, in
Chatham Strait, AK. (BOEM p.79)
 1906 – On January 25th, vessel stranded at False
Bay, Chatham Strait. Cargo was a total loss but
the ship was refloated and towed to Seattle, WA.
(BOEM p.79)
 1907 – On April 27th, the vessel sank in Elliott Bay, BC.
Later raised and dismantled for scrap. (BOEM p.79)
178
SS Mariechen

Wreck Report:
 The 2,521 ton 290 foot steel German tramp steamer “Mariechen” struck
a rock in a snowstorm on January 25, 1906 in False Bay, Chatham
Straits, AK. The following are excerpts from the wreck report:
 “Disabled Dec. 25, 1905, deadlight in coal bunker sprung open, adrift
until Jan. 25, 1906.” “Unable to see on account of snow storm and lack
of steam.” “Struck rock in snowstorm.” “No charts of this coast,
compass frozen up.”
 The “Mariechen” departed Seattle, WA, December 19, 1905 bound for
Vladivostock, East Siberia. She had a crew of 50 and a cargo of 5,000
tons of general merchandise worth $100,000. The vessel herself was
worth $250,000. At the time the wreck report was filed by Rudolph
Heldt, master of the “Mariechen,” the damage to the vessel and cargo
had not been ascertained. Later reports have the vessel salvaged and
towed back to Seattle.
179
SS Mariechen
Lat. 57° 57’ 46”N Lon. 134° 55’ 25”W

German Steamer SS Mariechen
180
SS Mariechen

German Steamer
SS Mariechen
Wrecked in
False Bay, AK
181
SS Mariechen

Wreck of the Steamer SS Mariechen
182
SS Mariechen

SS Mariposa
 Propulsion – Steam, Compound
 Repowered – 1902;
 Tonnage – 3,158 grt;
 Dimensions – 314’ x 41’ x 17’;
 Construction – Iron Hull;
 Built – 1883, by William Cramp &
Sons, Philadelphia, PA;
 Owner – Alaska Steamship Co.;
 Wrecked (1) – August 23, 1912;
 Wrecked (2) – October 8, 1915;
 Wrecked (3) – November 18, 1917
183
KGBT
(p.107/123/131)

Vessel History:
 1883 – Vessel Built & launched by William Cramp & Sons in
Philadelphia, PA, for Oceanic Navigation Co. (Matson).
 1912 – Vessel purchased by Alaska Steamship Co.
 1912 – Vessel crashed into the wharf at Valdez, destroying one end
of a warehouse and running ashore amid the debris. (BOEM
p.107)
 1915 – Vessel struck a rock and tore a hole in her bottom, at Lama
Pass in Fitzhugh Sound, BC. Vessel saved. (BOEM p.123)
 1917 – Vessel stranded on a reef off Strait Island in Sumner Strait.
Vessel lost. (BOEM p.131)
 1919 – Copper ore and some equipment salvaged from wreck site by
British towboat “Biggs.”
 1921 – Wreck of the vessel finally slipped off the reef (now called
Mariposa Reef) and complete disappeared.
184
SS Mariposa

SS Mariposa – Leaving Papeete Harbor, November 13,1903
185
SS Mariposa
Article in the
Juneau Empire
Article in
wikia.org
Article from
ss.maritime.com

Wreck Report #1:
 The Mariposa, sister ship of the Alameda in Alaska
Steamship Co. service, emulated the exploit of her sister to
a lesser degree on August 23, 1912, by crashing into the
wharf at Valdez, AK, destroying one end of the warehouse
and running ashore amid the debris of the crash and the
floating contents of the warehouse.
 The Admiral Sampson, which had left the wharf 20
minutes earlier, responded to the distress calls of the
Mariposa, but as the tide was falling she was unable to pull
her free. The steamer was rescued from her embarrassing
position at the next high tide, however. As in the case of
the Alameda, the Mariposa's mishap was due to a
misunderstood signal in the engine room. (BOEM p.107)
186
SS Mariposa
Lat. 61° 07’ 14”N Lon. 146° 18’ 31”W

SS Mariposa
jammed into
Valdez dock
187
SS Mariposa

Wreck Report #2:
 While on a northbound voyage from Seattle, WA to
Cook Inlet, AK, the “Mariposa” struck a rock ledge on
upper Fitzhugh Sound, BC, on October 8, 1915. The
impact tore a hole in the ship's bottom forward and it
was stranded near the entrance of Lama Pass.
 The 95 passengers aboard were safely landed on the
beach and the freight steamer “Dispatch” took them
on to Ketchikan, AK. The salvage steamer “Salvor”
later refloated the “Mariposa,” and, along with the
“William Jolliffe,” towed it to a drydock in Seattle for
repairs. (BOEM p.123)
188
SS Mariposa
Lat. 52° 04’ 11”N Lon. 127° 58’ 02”W

SS Mariposa, aground off Pointer Island in Fitz Hugh Sound, British Columbia
189
SS Mariposa

SS Mariposa aground, Fitz Hugh Sound (BC)
190
SS Mariposa

American Steamer, SS Mariposa aground, Fitz Hugh Sound (BC)
191
SS Mariposa

SS Mariposa passengers safely ashore in Fitz Hugh Sound (BC)
192
SS Mariposa

193
SS Mariposa
Rescued MARIPOSA passengers aboard the freight
steamer DISPATCH, Fitz Hugh Sound, British
Columbia, October 1915

Wreck Report #3:
 The 3158 ton Alaska Steamship Company steamer Mariposa struck a reef near Point Baker
and was lost November 18, 1917. The vessel was carrying 25,000 cases of salmon and 1,200
tons of copper ore as well as 265 passengers. She had departed Anchorage and recently
stopped at Shakan, AK, to load canned salmon. It was shortly after her departure at 3:00
a.m. from Shakan that the Mariposa ran up on the reef. The passengers were quickly
evacuated.
 Among the passengers aboard the Mariposa were shipwrecked crewmen from the Al-Ki,
which was lost November 1st southwest of Juneau and shipwrecked crewmen from the
Manhattan, which was lost November 15th in the Gulf of Alaska. There were tensions
between the two shipwrecked crews as the Manhattan crew had looted the wreck site of
the Al-KI before the Manhattan sank two weeks later. Tourists were getting their money’s
worth of adventure that the Alaska Steamship Company brochures promised. They were
seeing the wonder of Alaska, getting to mingle with two different shipwrecked Alaskan
crews and finally becoming ship wreck victims themselves.
 Six hours and 38 minutes after the stranding of the Mariposa, the vessel slid off into the
deep carrying the valuable cargos with her. The crew and passengers were taken aboard
the Curacao, Ravalli and Jefferson and transported to safety. The reef where the disaster
occurred has been renamed Mariposa Reef. (BOEM p.131)
194
SS Mariposa
Lat. 56° 22’ 45”N Lon. 133° 42’ 00”W

SS Mariposa, aground on reef near
Straits Island, Sumner Strait, AK
197
SS Mariposa

Mary Catherine H
 Service – Towing Vessel;
 Propulsion – Diesel, Twin
Screw (900 hp);
 Tonnage – 90 grt (61 net);
 Dimensions – 65’ x 20’ x 10’;
 Construction – Steel;
 Built – 1967, by Tacoma Boat
Building Co.
 Owner –Boyer Towing Inc.;
 Registry – US (Ketchikan),
ON-510062, FCC ID-WX9885
 Wrecked – January 20, 1989
198
WX9885
(p.477)

199
The “Mary Catherine H” was built by the Tacoma Builtbuilding
Co, of Tacoma, WA for Boyer Towing Co. in 1967. Her name was
changed to “Alison H” when the company incorporated.
Mary Catherine H

Wreck Report:
 On January 20, 1989, while leaving Smith Cove, AK, on
Prince of Wales Island, the vessel hit the rocks due to a
navigational error and quickly filled the engine room
with water. The five crewmembers aboard the tug
reached the beach safely by skiff. The vessel was
salvaged and returned to service. (BOEM p.477)
200
Lat. 55° 26’ 24”N Lon. 132° 21’ 21”W
Mary Catherine H

SV Mercury
Service – Cargo Transport;
Propulsion – Sail (Bark Layout);
Tonnage – 1050 grt;
Dimensions – 193’ x 39’ x 22’;
Built – 1851, at New York, NY;
Master – Capt. Frank Anderson;
Owner – E.E. Caine;
Registered – US (Seattle), ON-
16948;
Wrecked – April 11, 1898
203
HNLB
(p.50)

Wreck Report:
 The 1050 ton 193 foot wooden ship Mercury stranded in
Skagway Harbor at 2 a.m. April 11, 1898. The vessel had
sailed out of Seattle, Washington March 27, 1898 with a
crew of 40. She was carrying 1,500 tons of general
merchandise worth $20,000. The Mercury drug anchor in a
60 mile an hour gale that was “blowing too hard”. The
Mercury was listed with of value $8,000 with $4,000 worth
of damage as a result of the stranding. The report also lists
$10,000 worth of cargo lost. There was no insurance on the
Mercury. The vessel was eventually refloated and put back
in service as a barge. (BOEM p.50)
204
SV Mercury
Lat. 59° 26’ 57”N Lon. 135° 20’ 03”W

Wreck of the Sailing Vessel Mercury at Skagway, AK
205
SV Mercury

SV Neva
Service – Russian Sloop-of-War;
Propulsion – Sail;
Construction – Wood Hull;
Crew – 60;
Registry - Russia
Wrecked – January 9, 1813
206
(p.6)
[Signal Letters
Unknown]

Wreck Report:
 The 370 ton Russian ship “Neva” struck a rock and
wrecked on Kruzof Island, AK, January 9, 1813 at a bay
now named for the wreck. The vessel was travelling
from Okhotsk, Russia to Sitka, AK, with 77 aboard. 49
persons were lost along with a valuable cargo of bronze
guns, furs and gold church vestments. The 28
survivors were transported to Sitka by Kolosh canoe.
 A Ketchikan newspaper reported in 1915 that a Capt. J.
E. Sayles, local marine man, was outfitting an
expedition to go to Kruzof Island to strip the wreck of
the NEVA. (BOEM p.6)
207
SV Neva
Lat. 57° 02’ 15”N Lon. 135° 50’ 40”W

Russian Sloop-of-War Neva
208
SV Neva
Article in
Wikiwand
Article at
wikia.org
Article at
Fox News
Article in Anch.
Daily News
National Science
Foundation
Investigating
Wreck of the Neva
The Cursed
Ship, Neva

MS Nieuw Amsterdam
 Service – Passenger Transport
(Cruise Ship);
 Propulsion – Two Diesel Engines
(7-cyl. Sulzer 7-RLB-66), Dual
Shaft/Screws;
 Dimensions – 704’ x 89’ x 25’;
 Capacity – 1350 Passengers (627
Staterooms) & 520 Crew;
 Built – 1983, in St. Nazaire, FR;
 Owner – Holland America Lines
 Registry – St. Maarten,
Netherlands Antilles.
209
Article in the
Seattle Times
Captain
Albert’s Blog
[Signal Letters
Unknown]
(p.585)

Vessel History:
 1983 – Vessel built at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in
St. Nazaire, France for Holland America Line as the “MS Nieuw
Amsterdam,” registered in Willemstad, Netherlands Antilles.
 1984 – Vessel re-registered in St. Maarten, Netherlands
Antilles.
 1994 – Vessel grounded on Gravina Point in Nichols
Passage in heavy fog. Vessel was refloated and taken
south for extensive repair.
 1997 – Vessel re-registered in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
 2000 – Vessel taken over by America Classic Cruises, renamed
“MS Patriot,” and re-registered in Honolulu, United States.
210
MS Nieuw Amsterdam
History continued

 2000 – Fire due to faulty wiring caused extensive damage
while the ship was in Tarr Inlet, near Russell Island,
Glacier Bay, AK. (BOEM p.585)
 2002 – Vessel was reacquired by Holland America,
reverted back to her original name, and was re-registered
in Nassau, Bahamas, but was then placed in lay-up.
 2003 – Vessel chartered by Louis Cruise Lines and
renamed “MS Spirit.”
 2003 – Following a length refit, the vessel was sub-
chartered by Thomson Cruises and renamed the “MS
Thomson Spirit.”
211
MS Nieuw Amsterdam

 2005 – Vessel re-registered in Limassol, Cyprus.
 2010 – Vessel re-registered in Valletta, Malta.
 2014 – Vessel used as a floating hotel during the Winter
Olympics in Sochi, Russia.
 2017 – Thomson Cruises became Marella Cruises.
 2018 - Vessel name changed to “Marella Spirit,” then
“Mare S,” and then “La Spirit.” Re-registered in Palau.
Vessel later taken out of service and scrapped at Alang,
Gujarat, India.
212
MS Nieuw Amsterdam

Holland America Line - MS Nieuw Amsterdam III
213
MS Nieuw Amsterdam

Wreck Report:
 The 704-foot cruise ship NIEUW AMSTERDAM, owned by Holland America
Line - Westours, ran aground in heavy fog at Gravina Point on August 9, 1994
on its way to Alaska from Vancouver BC. The vessel was sailing northeast
through Nichols Passage. Although the sea was calm, visibility was poor due to
thick "pea soup" fog. At 6:10 am the NIEUW AMSTERDAM struck bottom.
Rocks ripped the ship's hull near the port bow piercing holes in the forward
peak ballast tank and a freshwater tank causing both to take on sea water. The
impact also creased the hull amidships and tore a blade off the port propeller.
None of the passengers (reported from 1,225 to 1,281) nor the 500 crew
members were injured. The ship refloated at 7:28, and tugs nudged her into
open water. With tug escort, she sailed on into nearby Ketchikan. Some
passengers went onward on another ship to Seward. About 100-120 left the ship
at Ketchikan. The vessel went into dry-dock in Seattle for $2 million worth of
repairs, and it was late August before she resumed weekly cruises to Alaska.
 Investigations into the grounding revealed that a trainee pilot had error-ed,
and the pilot and officers had failed to continually check the position of the
ship.
214
MS Nieuw Amsterdam
Lat. 55° 17’ 07”N Lon. 131° 36’ 52”W

SS Northern Voyager
 Tonnage – 1,870 grt.;
 Dimensions – 250’ x 42’ x 18’;
 Construction – Steel
 Built – 1945, at Tampa FL;
 Owner – Alaska Transportation
Co.;
 Wrecked – July 15, 1946,
grounded in Juneau, AK;
216
Article from
FOJDCM
AOAR
(p.322)

Wreck Report:
 The Steamship Northern Voyager grounded in dense
fog just south of downtown Juneau on the old mine
tailings pile. The vessel later, under her own power,
backed off the beach, with a large Army tug from the
Subport, the Alaska Transportation Co. freighter
Northern Voyager came on in to the Alaska Steamship
dock, apparently undamaged. (BOEM p.322)
217
SS Northern Voyager
Lat. 58° 17’ 03”N Lon. 134° 23’ 15”W

SS Northern Voyager, aground at Juneau, AK (July 15, 1946)
218
SS Northern Voyager

SS Northern Voyager, aground at Juneau, AK (July 15, 1946)
219
SS Northern Voyager

SS Northwestern
Transport;
 Dimensions – 336’ x 43’ x 22’;
 Construction – Iron Hull
 Built – 1889, by John Roach &
Son, Chester, PA;
 Owner – Alaska Steamship
Company;
155177;
 Wrecked – Numerous Times;
220
Article from
Aleutian Voices
WCCW
(p.102/123/137/198)

221
SS Northwestern
Steamship NORTHWESTERN at the dock in Seattle

222
SS Northwestern
Steamship NORTHWESTERN setting sail in
Seward, Alaska, probably between 1906 and 1917

 1889 – Vessel built & launched as the “SS Oriziba” by the
Delaware River Iron Ship Building and Engine Works,
Chester, PA.
 1907 – Vessel ran aground on a reef in Beatson Bay near
Latouche, BC. While being towed in for repair, she sprung a
leak and sunk again. Later, both her and her two ran
aground at the mouth of the Fraser River.
 1909 – Vessel rescued crewman from the sloop Nugget that
was foundering off Cape Fairweather.
 1910 – Vessel ran aground on Pile Point at the entrance to
False Bay. Vessel refloated.
223
SS Northwestern
History continued

 1911 – On arrival at Ketchikan, AK, the signal wire to the
engine room broke ordering ‘full ahead’ instead of ‘stop’
causing a collision with a former clipper ship, “Glory of
the Seas.” (BOEM p.102)
 1913 – On January 1st she ran aground near Valdez, AK. On
February 1st she collided with the “Skagit Queen,” and on
September 12th she collided with the “H.B. Kennedy.” BOEM
p.110/111/115)
 1914 – On May 15, a winch cable snapped and broke a
passenger’s leg and knocked down a crewman. (BOEM p.118)
 1915 – On September 1, she backed onto a breasting-off float at
full speed; no damage. (BOEM p.122)
224
SS Northwestern
History continued

 1915 – On October 6, the vessel grounded on Potter Rock
just south of Pennock Island in Tongass Narrows near
Ketchikan, AK, but was able to kedge off at high tide.
(BOEM p.123)
 1915 – On October 13, she lost a propeller blade in
Resurrection Bay, AK, but was able to limp back to Seattle,
WA. (BOEM p.123)
 1915 – On October 30, while being repaired at Eagle Harbor,
Bainbridge Island, WA, her weight on the cradle broke the
winch chain. (BOEM p.123)
 1916 – Vessel Dropped a propeller blade while crossing the
Gulf of Alaska on July 15th. (BOEM p.126)
225
SS Northwestern
History continued

 1916 – While hoisting passengers aboard on a gangplank from
a lighter at the Nome Roadstead, two men were fatally injured
when they fell from the gangplank. Vessel collided with the
lumber schooner Northland off Seal Rock, OR. (BOEM p.127)
 1918 – On August 25, vessel ran aground at Orca, near
Cordova, AK. Refloated four days later with little damage.
On October 5, vessel struck by the ferry West Seattle while
attempting to dock in Seattle. (BOEM p.134)
 1919 – Vessel stranded on Anchor Point in Wrangell
Narrows. Refloated. (BOEM p.137)
 1922 – Engine helper Herbert McCormick crushed by the
engine while doing routine maintenance. (BOEM p.147)
226
SS Northwestern
History continued

 1927 – February 27 a crewman was killed and another
injured when a railroad tie slipped from a cargo sling and
fell back into the hold. (BOEM p.169) On December 11,
vessel grounded near Cape Mudge, BC, in a blowing
snowstorm; Vessel was salvaged and repaired. (BOEM
p.173)
 1933 – Vessel ran aground off Sentinel Island and was
beached on the Eagle River sand spit north of Juneau,
AK, for emergency repair. (BOEM p.198)
 1934 – Vessel struck a submerged pile while leaving the
dock at Ketchikan, AK. (BOEM p.200)
 1935 – March 3, vessel rammed into the “SS Tacoma” while
trying to dock in Seattle, WA, due to strong winds. (BOEM
p.202)
227
SS Northwestern
History continued

 1935 - December 1, vessel grounded near Orange Point in
Discovery Passage near Campbell River, BC, in heavy fog.
(BOEM p.205)
 1937 – Vessel struck the oil dock, three fishing boats, and
ex-square rigger Falls of Clyde while departing
Ketchikan, AK. (BOEM p.213)
 1942 – On June 4th, the vessel was pressed into service by the
US Navy – Used as housing for workers at Dutch Harbor, AK.
Vessel was struck by a Japanese bomb, causing serious
damage. Later towed to Captains Bay. (BOEM p.252)
 1946 – Vessel eventually sank in Captains Bay. (BOEM p.252)
228
SS Northwestern

Wreck Report #1:
 A failure of the “Northwestern’s” engine order telegraph, on
September 27, 1911, caused the ship to lunge forward and
strike the "Glory of the Seas" at the dock in Ketchikan, AK.
The “Glory” was a once-famed, wooden clipper ship, that
had been stripped of her sails and converted into a floating
salmon cannery. It is a point of contention as to which
vessel suffered most from the collision. The “Northwestern”
is made of iron and steel, but the “Glory” is fashioned of
great oaken frames and covered in thick wood planking.
Some argue that the “Northwestern” had her stem stove in
and her rivets sheared while the “Glory of the Seas” was left
strong and sound as ever. (BOEM p.102)
229
SS Northwestern
Lat. 55° 20’ 21”N Lon. 131° 38’ 45”W

The “Glory of the Seas,” before it was moored at
Ketchikan and converted into a floating cannery and
later rammed at the dock by the SS Northwestern in 1911.
230
SS Northwestern

Wreck Report #2:
 October 6th, 1915, the “Northwestern” ran aground in
dense fog off Potter Rock, just south of Pennock Island
in Tongass Narrows. Using a kedge anchor, the vessel
freed itself at high tide, then with donkey pumps
working to drain the leaking hull and stern gland, she
continued on northward. On the return voyage south,
the vessel lost a propeller blade in Resurrection Bay
after departing Seward. She limped into Eagle Harbor
for repairs but proved too heavy for the facility—her
weight on the railway cradle snapping the winch cable.
(BOEM p.123)
231
SS Northwestern
Lat. 55° 18’ 11”N Lon. 131° 34’ 32”W

SS Northwestern, grounded on Potter Rock, south of Pennock Is.
232
SS Northwestern

Wreck Report #3:
 The “Northwestern,” under the command of Captain
William Jensen, ran around south of Anchor Point in
Wrangell Narrows, on June 1, 1919. The Steamship
“Jefferson” was able to pull her off into deeper water
and the “Northwestern” resumed her journey
northward onto Juneau, AK. (BOEM p.137)
233
SS Northwestern
Lat. 56° 37’ 50”N Lon. 132° 56’ 45”W

SS Northwestern, grounded in Wrangell Narrows, south of Anchor Point
234
SS Northwestern

American Steamer SS Northwestern,
run aground south of Petersburg, AK
in Wrangell Narrows, at a location just
south of Anchor Point.
235
SS Northwestern

Wreck Report #4
 July 25, 1933, 2:38 a.m., the SS “Northwestern” strikes at full speed a reef
off Sentinel Island in Lynn Canal twenty-five miles north of Juneau.
The vessel is beached on the sandy bottom of Eagle River to prevent
sinking, and 180 passengers are put in lifeboats and lowered over the
side. (BOEM p.198)
 At low tide, salvage crews hurry to staunch hull leaks with concrete.
After it is apparent the ship will remain upright, passengers are re-
boarded and at the return rush of high tide, the ship is floated. The
“Northwestern” turns south for the five day trip to Seattle—to dry dock
and repairs totaling $65,000.
 On the evening of the accident the sky was clear, suffused with Alaska’s
long summer light. The Sentinel Island lighthouse beacon was lit, and
the lighthouse keeper had repeatedly warned the “Northwestern” with
his fog horn. In a much-publicized trial after the incident, both ship
master and second officer receive license suspensions. On 13 October
1933, The Alaska Weekly reports Wreck of Northwestern Blamed to
Negligence.
236
SS Northwestern
Lat. 58° 32’ 43”N Lon. 134° 55’ 21”W

SS Northwestern beached on flats at Eagle River
237
SS Northwestern

Wreck Report #5
 In August 18, 1934, the Steamer “Northwestern” stuck a
submerged object (possibly an old piling), while
departing Ketchikan, AK. The impact raised four deck
planks on the dock but did no damage to the vessel.
(BOEM p.200)
238
SS Northwestern
Lat. 55° 20’ 24”N Lon. 131° 39’ 11”W

View of downtown Ketchikan, from the deck of the SS Northwestern
239
SS Northwestern

Wreck Report #6:
 On October 3, 1937, while departing Ketchikan, AK, on
her last voyage as an Alaska Steamship vessel, the
Steamer “Northwestern” struck the Union Oil Dock,
three fishing boats, and the old ex-square rigger “Falls
of Clyde,” which had been converted into an oil barge.
Captain H. Anderson contended that the flood tide
had forced the vessel against the dock but that he had
to maintain headway in an effort to clear the dock.
 The #2 hold had a small leak but damage to the dock,
fishing boats, and the “Clyde” was estimated at
$10,000. (BOEM p.213)
240
SS Northwestern
Lat. 55° 20’ 07”N Lon. 131° 37’ 56”W

The “Falls of Clyde”, was
originally an iron-hulled, four-
masted ship, laid down in
Glasglow, Scotland, in 1878.
In 1902 she was converted to an
oil tanker, still working under
sail around the Pacific.
In 1927 she was stripped of her
yards and rigging, then towed
to Ketchikan, AK, where she
was used as a floating marine
filling station.
This is where she was moored
when the “SS Northwestern”
rammed into her in 1937.
241
SS Northwestern

242
SS Northwestern
SS Northwestern in flames at Dutch Harbor, Unalaska

FV Olivus
(Salmon Troller);
 Propulsion – Diesel Engine,
Single Shaft/Screw;
 Construction – Wooden
 Dimensions – 32’ x 10’ x 5’;
 Built – in 1942;
 Owner – [Unknown];
 Original Name – Clara B;
 Registry – US (Ketchikan, ON-
241441, FCC-ID-WA3728;
 Wrecked – August 28, 2000;
243
WA3728
(p.600)
BOATdb.net

Wreck Report:
 On August 28, 2000, the 35 foot wooden salmon troller
“Olivus” sank in a dense fog at 11 p.m. at Helm Bay,
near Ketchikan, AK. One fisherman died in the
incident and rescuers saved a 19-year-old man who
swam ashore after the sinking. (BOEM p.600)
244
Lat. 55° 38’ 15”N Lon. 131° 58’ 39”W
FV Olivus

FV Patty J
(Salmon Seiner);
 Propulsion – Diesel
 Registry – US (Anacortes);
 Wrecked – August 8, 2009;
246
[Signal Letters
Unknown]
Article from
goskagit.com

Wreck Report:
 The 59 foot fishing vessel “Patty J” stranded, rolled
over and sank August 8, 2009 on a reef just outside
Square Cove on the west side of Admiralty Island. All
five crewmembers abandoned ship to a skiff and were
taken aboard a fishing vessel nearby. The wood hulled
“Patty J” was later dismantled and removed.
247
FV Patty J
Lat. 57° 58’ 40”N Lon. 134° 45’ 45”W

Salmon Seiner “Patty J,” aground on reef in Chatham Strait, near Square Cove
248
FV Patty J

MV P.J. Abler
Service – Cargo Transport;
Propulsion – Sail & Gas Engine,
80 ihp;
Dimensions – 97.2’ x 24.9’ x
5.9’;
Built – 1900, at Seattle, WA;
Registry – US (Nome), ON-
150860;
Wrecked – September 29, 1915
249
(p.123)
[Signal Letters
Unknown]

Wreck Report:
 The 116 ton 97 foot gas screw “PJ Abler” was destroyed by
fire September 29, 1915 at Douglas Island near Juneau, AK.
The blaze was ignited when a lighted candle was dropped
into the bilge while the vessel was undergoing repairs.
 Appraisers who examined the wreck several weeks after the
disaster found the burned vessel on Douglas Island
destroyed to the bilge and beyond repair. Both the vessel
and her cargo were total losses. The 16 persons aboard
survived the disaster. The vessel was bound for the
Kuskokwim River with Captain E.B. Hoffman at the helm.
(BOEM p.123)
252
MV P.J. Abler
Lat. 58° 17’ 13”N Lon. 134° 24’ 38”W

MV P.J. Abler, ablaze at Douglas, AK (September 29, 1915)
253
MV P.J. Abler

SS Portland
Transport;
 Propulsion – Steam (650 hp);
 Tonnage: 1,420 grt;
 Deminsions – 191.5’ x 36’ x 20’
 Built – in 1885, at Bathe, ME
 Owner – Alaska Commercial
Company;
 Registry – US (San Francisco),
ON-95844;
 Wrecked – December 20, 1905,
at Spire Island Reef;
255
KCWQ
Article in
The Filson Journal
Article from
Cruise Line History
(p.78)

257
SS Portland
THE SHIP THAT STARTED THE BOOM:

Wreck Report:
 A black can buoy marked the northwest extremity of the
Spire Island Reef, in Revillagigedo Channel, near
Ketchikan, AK, by 1897. These early navigational aids often
did not stay in place due to tide, current, and/or the wind.
 On December 20, 1905, as the Alaska Commercial
Company Steamer “Portland” searched for the drifting
buoy, she stranded on the reef and suffered $20,000 worth
of damage. She was carrying a load of fish, gold ore, and 58
passengers. The master, C.E. Lindquist, sent a rowboat to
Ketchikan and the US Deputy Collector of Customs sent
assistance. (BOEM p.78)
258
Lat. 55° 16’ 05”N Lon. 131° 30’ 01”W

SS Portland, stranded on Spire Island Reef, Revillagigedo Channel
259

SS Portland, moored in Seattle, WA 260

SS Prince George
Transport;
 Propulsion – Steam, 2x4 cylinder
Triple Expansion Engine, 6500 ihp,
Two Shafts/Screws;
 Dimensions – 307’ x 42’ x 8’;
 Built – 1910, by Swan Hunter &
Wigham Richardson, Wallsend-
on-Tyne;
 Owner – Canadian National RR;
 Registry – GB;
261
Article in
SitNews
Article in
Wikia.org
[Signal Letters
Unknown]
(p.318)

Postcard: SS Prince George (c. 1910) 262
SS Prince George

Grand Trunk Pacific Railway Steamer Prince George underway in 1910
264
SS Prince George

Canadian National Railway Steamship Prince George
265
SS Prince George

Wreck Report:
 On 22 September 1945 “Prince George” was lost after she caught fire while at
dock at Ketchikan, AK. The vessel had docked at Ketchikan, AK, on a round-
trip voyage from Prince Rupert, BC. The ship docked at 8:10am and at 8:20am,
the fire alarm began sounding after a fuel tank exploded aboard the ship.
Firemen responded and fought the fire but after an hour, the crew and those
passengers still on board the ship were ordered to evacuate. The vessel was
pulled away from the pier by the tugboat “General Kennedy” and run aground
on Gravina Island. Several USCG vessels joined the attempt to extinguish the
fire. They were unsuccessful and the vessel continued to burn for the next
couple of days, with the fire only going out after the superstructure collapsed.
One crew member was lost in the fire, with the others returning to Prince
Rupert on “Prince George‘” sister ship, “SS Prince Rupert.” When the burned
out hulk was refloated is disputed, with most sources stating it happened
between 1948 and 1953. The hulk was taken to Seattle where it was broken up
for scrap.
 After the loss of “Prince George,” CN announced plans for a new “Prince
George.” This ship was launched on 6 October 1947, and placed in service on
the Alaska route in June 1948. (BOEM p.318)
266
SS Prince George
Lat. 55° 20’ 30”N Lon. 131° 38’ 45”W

Attempting to suppress the fire while the ship is still at the Ketchikan dock
SS Prince George
267
SS Prince George

SS Prince George, on fire at
the dock in Ketchikan, AK
268
SS Prince George

SS Prince George, towed away from town to allow it to burn itself out
269
SS Prince George

Vessel pushed away from the dock as the fire rages out of control
SS Prince George
270
SS Prince George

Vessel being towed away as the
fire continues to engulf the
entire ship
271
SS Prince George

Vessel towed to Gravina Is., south of
Clam Cove in the West Channel, and
left to burn itself out.
272
SS Prince George

SS Prince George
273
SS Prince George

Final resting place, before being
towed away for salvage.
275
SS Prince George

SS Prince John
Transport;
 Owner – Canadian National RR
 Registry – Canada;
 Wrecked – January 1, 1917;
276
[Signal Letters
Unknown]
(p.127)

277
SS Prince John – Entering Vancouver Harbor, BC
SS Prince John

278
SS Prince John – Arriving at the Grand Trunk Pacific Lines wharf at Vancouver, BC
SS Prince John

Canadian Steamship Prince John
280
SS Prince John

Wreck Report:
 The steamer “Prince John” was lost at Wrangell
Narrows, AK in 1917. The vessel was valued at $45,000
with cargo at the time of the disaster. (BOEM p.127)
281
SS Prince John
Lat. 56° 38’ 45”N Lon. 132° 55’ 55”W

SS Prince John
282
SS Prince John

SS Princess Kathleen
 Propulsion – Steam, 2 Geared
Turbines w/LP Exhaust, Dual
Shafts/Screws, 17005 shp;
 Tonnage – 5875 grt
 Dimensions – 359’ x 60’ x 25.9’;
 Speed – 21 knots
 Built - 1925, by John Brown &
Co., Clydebank (Scotland);
Steamship Co.
 Registry – Canada;
283
[Signal Letters
Unknown]
(p.338)

SS Princess Kathleen – At the dock in Vancouver, BC 284
The Evergreen
Fleet
Princess Kathleen
Defueling
Article 1 In
Cruise Line History
Article In
WikiZero
Article By
Alaska DEC
Article 2 In
Cruise Line History

SS Princess Kathleen, underway on the famed “Inside Passage”
285

Wreck Report:
 The 5,875 ton 369 foot passenger and freight steam ship
“Princess Kathleen” stranded and sank September 7, 1952 at
Lena Point in Lynn Canal, AK. Strong currents, an early
morning rain squall and RADAR that wasn’t working
contributed to the disaster. The vessel was on her last trip
of the season traveling from Juneau to Skagway, AK.
 All 425 passengers and crewmembers were transferred to
the beach in lifeboats before the “Princess Kathleen” slid
off of Lena Point stern first and sank in 120 feet of water.
The wreck site is only a few miles south of Vanderbilt Reef
where the 2,320 ton “Princess Sophia” sank with all hands
34 years earlier. (BOEM p.338)
287
Lat. 58° 23’ 45”N Lon. 134° 46’ 45”W

SS Princess Kathleen, aground at Lena Point (September 7, 1952) 288

As the tide rises, the ship begins to go down by the stern
291

Bystanders watch as the ship begins to creak & groan, air escaping as she begins to sink
292

Finally, the bow rises high as the stern settles quickly, and she begins sliding off the rocks
293

Rescue Operations -
299

Rescue Operations -
300

SS Princess May
Transport;
 Propulsion – Steam, 2 Triple
Expansion Engines, Dual
Shaft/Screws;
 Dimensions – 250’ x 34.1’;
 Built – 1888, by Hawthorn
Leslie & Co., Hebburn-on-Tyne
(Newcastle);
Line;
 Registry – GB, ON-109860
301
Article By
Silodrome
[Signal Letters
Unknown]

Postcard: Canadian Pacific Steamship Princess May
302
SS Princess May

Wreck Report:
 On August 5, 1910, “Princess May,” having departed from
Skagway, AK, under the command of Captain MacLeod
with 80 passengers, 68 crew, and a shipment of gold, was
proceeding south down Lynn Canal in heavy fog. At a
speed of about 10 knots (19 km/h), the ship ran aground on
rocks near the north end of Sentinel Island, where there
was a US Lighthouse Station. It was high tide (the tidal
range being about 16 feet at this point) and the momentum
of the ship forced it well up onto the rocks, with the bow
jutting upward at an angle of 23 degrees. This produced a
number of photographs of the ship's predicament which
were sold all over the west coast.
303
SS Princess May
Wreck Report Continued
Lat. 58° 32’ 41”N Lon. 134° 55’ 20”W

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