South West Alaska Shipwrecks ( O )

OBORO (1942)     The 378 foot 1,950 ton Japanese supply destroyer Oboro was sunk by an attack of six U S B-26 Marauders October 17, 1942 ten miles north of Pillar Rock off of Kiska Island.  Only 17 crewmembers of probable compliment of 219 survived.

Mapping and Location: Southwest Alaska   52 07 20 N 177 22 E   Charts 16012, 16441

Sources: 1. BOEM Alaska Shipwreck List (2011), 2. Wikipedia.org (2013)” Japanese destroyer Oboro (1930)”

 

OCEAN CLIPPER (1987)     The 90 foot fishing vessel Ocean Clipper was blown ashore and wrecked in a gale March 21, 1987 on the south side of Saint Paul Island.  The six crewmen aboard escaped to a life raft, floated to a nearby reef and walked ashore.  They were picked off of the beach by the U S Coast Guard Cutter Midget and transported to Saint Paul for treatment for mild hypothermia.  The hulk of the vessel was demolished and removed in 2010.  Evidence of this wreck may still be on site and of interest.

Mapping and Location: Southwest Alaska   57 10 N 170 15 W   Chart 16011

Sources: 1. Unofficial Shipwreck List (Kodiak), 2. BOEM Alaska Shipwreck List (2011)

 

OCEAN GRACE (1983)     The 120 foot crab fishing vessel Ocean Grace capsized and sank August 14, 1983 approximately 22 miles northwest of Dutch Harbor in the Bering Sea.  Only one of the five on board survived.  Lost were skipper Harold Pedersen (46) of Edmonds, Randy R Ficks (27) of Seattle, Annette Fletcher (24) of Port Townsend and James P Converse of Engdine, Michigan.  Survivor Jeff Anderson (30) of Everett, Washington was thrown clear of the Ocean Grace when a large wave struck and overturned her.  Skipper Pedersen and Anderson were able to deploy the life raft but Anderson was the only one who entered and credited Pedersen for saving his life.  Andersen was picked up more than 24 hours later by a Panamanian ship.  He was then transferred to the fishing vessel Miss Blue and transported to Dutch Harbor.

Mapping and Location: Southwest Alaska   53 54 N 166 31 W   Chart 16011

Sources: 1. Unofficial Shipwreck List (Kodiak), 2. BOEM Alaska Shipwreck List (2011), 3. Seattle Times (August 16, 1983) “Four crew members feared lost after Seattle boat sinks” Pg B 2, 3. Seattle Times (August 18, 1983) “Survivor of capsizing credits skipper” Pg C 1

 

OLYMPIC (1989)     The 80 foot crab fishing vessel Olympic sank January 10, 1989 in the Bering Sea 80 nautical miles north of Dutch Harbor.

Mapping and Location: Southwest Alaska   53 54 N 166 31 W   Chart 16011

Source: BOEM Alaska Shipwreck List (2011)

 

OPTY (1988)     The 139 foot fishing vessel Opty was driven ashore by high winds and heavy seas and lost December 3, 1988 on the northwest point of Alcan Harbor on the northwest shore of Shemya Island.  There was no loss of life.

Mapping and Location: Southwest Alaska   52 43 45 N 174 04 30 E   Chart 16012

Source: BOEM Alaska Shipwreck List (2011)

 

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