South East Alaska Shipwrecks ( X-Y-Z )

YAKIMA III (1957)     The 9 ton 32 foot wooden gas screw fishing vessel Yakima III foundered June 20, 1957 approximately 6 miles south of Sitka.

Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska   57 03 N 135 20 W   Chart 17320

Additional Information: Tonnage 9 Gross 6 Net, Length 32.8, Breadth 9.5, Depth 4.4, Built 1920 at Astoria OR, Horsepower 110, Owner Chris Jackson, Registered Bellingham WA, ON 236117

Sources: 1. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1958) Pg 593, 2. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1959) “Vessels Reported Lost” Pg 803

 

YANKEE (1924)     The 15 ton 41 foot gas screw fishing vessel Yankee foundered in Kasaan Bay September 24, 1924.  The single person aboard survived the disaster.

Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska   55 24 N 132 06 W   Chart 17420

Additional Information: Tonnage 15 Gross 10 Net, Length 41, Breadth 10.7, Depth 3.1, IHP 30, Built 1906 at Kasaan, Registered Ketchikan, ON 203786

Sources: 1. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1927) “Vessels Reported Lost” Pg 863, 2. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1924) Pg 301

 

YC-961 (1945)     The U S Navy open lighter YC-961 grounded and was lost May 1, 1945 off of Biorka Island.

Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska   56 51 N 135 32 W   Chart 17320

Source: BOEM Alaska Shipwreck List (2011)

 

YOUNG AMERICA (1925)     An explosion and fire destroyed the 34 ton 51 foot gas screw fishing vessel Young America at Sitka at 4:45 p.m. Monday May 25, 1925.  The vessel had departed Seward May 6, 1925 bound for sea fisheries with six crewmen aboard.  The following are excerpts from the casualty report filed by Oswald Olsen, master and owner of the Young America:

“Calm, daylight”  “Face of Sitka Wharf & Power Company’s Dock at Sitka, Alaska”  “Gas explosion and fire”  “Instant explosion without apparent cause”  “Boat had just finished taking fuel”  “Dock and city chemical engines with City and Dock fire hose (assisted)”

The Young America had a value of $11,000 and was a total loss.  The only cargo was ballast and stores.  The vessel was insured for $8,000.  There was no loss of life.

Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska   57 03 N 135 20 W   Chart 17320

Additional Information: Tonnage 34 Gross 27 Net, Length 50.9, Breadth 14, Depth 6.6, IHP 40, Built 1917 at Dockton WA, Registered Seattle, ON 215186, Master and owner Oswald Olsen of Seattle

Sources: 1. U S Coast Guard Report of Casualty at Sitka May 28, 1925, 2. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1924) Pg 301

YUCATAN (1910)     The 3,525 ton 336 foot steam screw schooner rigged steel ship Yucatan collided with floating ice and was lost in Icy Strait at 9 a.m. Wednesday February 16, 1910.  The vessel departed Cordova February 13, 1910 bound for Juneau and Seattle with 60 passengers and 84 officers and crewmen aboard.  The following are excerpts from the wreck report filed at Seattle:

“Mud Bay, Icy Straits, Alaska”  “Collision with floating ice and vessel beached”  “Daylight, intermittent snow squalls”  “Proceeding slowly through ice; captain, pilot and 2nd officer on bridge.  Vessel had stopped when current or tide rip carried iceberg against bow, cracking a plate”  “No assistance rendered until after vessel beached, then a fishing boat carried news to Juneau, and S S Georgia was dispatched to wreck for passengers and mail.. Puget Sound Salvage Company salved wreck with S S Santa Cruz”  “Practically no cargo.  Constructive total loss, but hulk floated and now moored at Victoria, B C., awaiting consideration of bids for repairs, which to date appear prohibitive.”

The Yucatan had a value of $260,000 and was insured for $250,000.  There was no loss of life.  The vessel was salvaged, repaired and renamed the Shinkai Maru.  Evidence of this wreck may still be on site and of interest.

Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska   58 11 30 N 135 59 W   Chart 17300

Additional Information: Tonnage 3,525 Gross 2,317 Net, Length 336.2, Breadth 43.2, Depth 22.3, HP 2,600, SL KHNF, Built 1890 at Chester PA, Registered Port Townsend WA, ON 27839, Master WPS Porter of Seattle, Owner Alaska Steamship Company of Seattle (purchased 1906)

Source: U S Customs Wreck Report August 18, 1910 at Seattle by R R Pierson, Supt. Alaska Steamship Company

YUKON (1893)     The steamer Yukon went ashore in a storm at Juneau and was lost November 6, 1893.  The vessel was valued at $1,500 with cargo at the time of the loss.

Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska   58 18 15 N 134 24 30 W   Chart 17300

Source: Shipwrecks of the Alaskan Shelf and Shore (1992)

YVONNE DENISE     The 56 foot purse seiner Yvonne Denise became disabled and was driven onto the rocks October 11, 2005 at Point Alava on Revillagigedo Island southeast of Ketchikan. The three crewmembers of the vessel abandoned ship wearing survival suits. Winds were reported at 50 to 60 miles an hour. Aaron Hudson and Cliff Hudson of Metlakatla and Noah Makua of Saxman were able to swim to a nearby beach where they were rescued by a Coast Guard Sitka Air Station helicopter.

Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska   55 11 30 N 131 11 W   Chart 17420

Additional Information: Tonnage 58 Gross 39 Net, Length 49.2, Breadth 17.5, Depth 9.1, Built 1966 Blaine WA, SL WX6752, ON 504659

Sources: 1. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1979) Pg 1680, 2. Sitnews (October 12, 2005) “Coast Guard aircrew rescues fishermen”

ZAPORA (1937)     The 479 ton 151 foot wooden steamer Zapora stranded and was lost off Chaik Bay at 2:35 a.m. Sunday February 14, 1937.  The vessel departed Hoonah the day before bound for Petersburg with 7 passengers and 20 crewmen aboard.  Her cargo is listed as 66,000 pounds of frozen fish and plunder valued at $6,000.  The following are excerpts from the casualty report filed by Eldred Hansen, master of the Zapora:

“Rocky Point, south entrance to Chaik Bay, Chatham Strait, Southeastern Alaska”  “Force 8, E by S, snowing, rough easterly sea, dark”  “Lookout posted, fog signal sounded, vessel slowed down”  “Vessel going full astern when she grounded”  “Stranding”

The Zapora had a value of $30,000 and was a complete loss.  A small amount of her cargo was salvaged.  Passengers and crew escaped to the beach in life boats and erected temporary shelter until rescued by the motorship Estebeth.

Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska   57 19 N 134 35 W   Chart 17320

Additional Information: Tonnage 479 Gross 395 Net, Length 151.3, Breadth 24, Depth 18.5, Built 1905 at Tacoma WA, SL WDDQ, Registered Juneau, ON 201817, Master Eldred Hansen of Puyallup WA, Owner Alaska Transportation Company of Tacoma WA

Sources: 1. U S C G Report of Casualty March 8, 1937 at Ketchikan, 2. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1935), 3. Seattle Daily Times, (February 16, 1937) “Seattle Ship Sinks; 26 Safe”, Pg 20

 

ZILLA MAY (1921)     The 70 ton 77 foot wooden gas screw fishing vessel Zilla May stranded and was lost near Strait Island at 10:15 p.m. Thursday March 31, 1921.  The vessel departed Ketchikan March 13, 1921 bound for deep sea fisheries with 13 crewmen aboard.  The following are excerpts from the casualty report submitted by H Aarvold, master of the Zilla May:

“Wind S by SE, not heavy.  Ocean swell running up Sumner Strait”  “Snow squall, low visibility, error estimate of distance to light”  “Stranding”  “SE point of Strait Island, Alaska”  “Remained on board as long as possible, left vessel in dory about 4 a.m., April 1st.  Vessel sunk about 20 minutes after crew left.  Crew spent Friday and Friday night, April 2nd on Strait Island.  Left at 10:30 a.m. for Wrangell in 3 dories, arriving at 8:30 p.m.”  “Total loss”

The Zilla May had a value of $15,000.  She was loaded with 21,000 pounds of fresh halibut valued at $3,500.  Both the vessel and her cargo were lost.  There was no loss of life.

Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska   56 23 10 N 133 42 30 W   Chart 17360

Additional Information: Tonnage 70 Gross 56 Net, Length 77.3, Breadth 20.8, Depth 8.3, IHP 80, Built 1896 at Ballard WA, Registered Seattle WA, ON 28131, Owner Pacific Fishing & Trading Company of Seattle, Insurance unknown

Sources: 1. U S Coast Guard Report of Casualty April 2, 1921 at Wrangell, 2. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1920) Pg 350

ZIMOVIA (2010)     The 44 foot Wrangell based power gurdy troller Zimovia ran up on Kulichkof Rock September 21, 2010 and sank an hour later. Sitka Mountain Rescue was able to save the only occupant of the vessel with the assistance of a M60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from U S Coast Guard Air Station Sitka. The survivor was taken Sitka Community Hospital and treated for cold weather exposure.

Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska   56 59 30 N 135 26 30 W   Chart 17326

Additional Information: Tonnage 35 Gross 18 Net, Length 44.4, Built 1948 Tacoma WA, Previous Names Lynnie S, John Michael, Jimmy M, SL WB7344, ON 255936

Sources: 1. U S C G News Release (September 21, 2010), 2. U S C G Marine Information Exchange, 3. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1965) Pg 402

 

ZINGO (1954)     The 11 ton 35 foot wooden gas screw fishing vessel Zingo was consumed by fire July 31, 1954 at Kake.

Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska   56 58 30 N 133 56 30 W   Chart 17360

Additional Information: Tonnage 11 Gross 9 Net, Length 35.1, Breadth 11.2, Depth 3.4, Built 1918 at Sitka, Horsepower 140, Owner Tommy T Jackson, Registered Wrangell, ON 216672

Sources: 1. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1955) Pg 568, 2. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1956) “Vessels Reported Lost” Pg 745

 

ZOPILOTE (1994)     The 64 foot fiberglass recreational vessel Zopilote grounded and sank near Dall Island May 24, 1994. The vessel was northbound into Kaigani Strait when she ran up on a rock ledge. All five persons aboard abandoned ship to a skiff and were rescued by the fishing vessel Hydaburg. The Zopilote became a total loss.

Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska   54 52 N 132 48 W   Chart 17400

Additional Information: Tonnage 116 Gross 101 Net, Length 63.8, ON 683964

Source: USCG MISLE Case # 62540

 

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