South West Alaska Shipwrecks ( P )

P S NO 76 (1966)     The 337 ton 120 foot steel barge P S No 76 was destroyed by a storm August 27, 1966 at East Landing, Saint Paul Island.

Mapping and Location: Southwest Alaska   57 07 10 N 170 16 W   Charts 16011, 16382

Additional Information: Tonnage 337 Gross and Net, Length 120, Breadth 33, Depth 9.6, Built 1943 at Fresno CA, Former Names BW-1183 (U S A) and BG-1183 (U S A), Owner United Towing Company, Registered Seattle, ON 250925

Sources: 1. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1965) Pg 529, 2. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1968) “Vessels Reported Lost” Pg 1173

 

P T & B CO 1652 (1948)     The 1,008 ton 202 foot wooden barge P T & B Co 1652 foundered October 17, 1948 about 20 miles north of Seguam Island in the Aleutian Chain.

Mapping and Location: Southwest Alaska   52 19 N 172 30 W   Chart 16011

Additional Information: Tonnage 1,008 Gross and Net, Length 202.4, Breadth 45, Depth 13.6, Built 1943 at Long Beach CA, Owner Portland Tug and Barge Company, Registered Portland OR, ON 251013

Sources: 1. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1949) Pg 446, 2. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1950) “Vessels Reported Lost” Pg 927

 

PACESETTER (1996)     The 127 foot steel crab fishing vessel Pacesetter was lost with all hands January 27, 1996 approximately 65 nautical miles south of Saint George Island.  Two empty life rafts, the Pacesetter’s EPIRB and assorted debris were found but no sign of the vessel or her crew. Lost were skipper Matthew Pope of Seattle, Stephen Mack of Seattle, Richard Anderson of Seattle, Eric Ericson of Seattle, Byron Koesterman of Seattle, Elias Pena of Anchorage and Stanley Estestad of Norway. The U S Coast Guard investigation that followed cited the probable causes of the disaster as “free surface effect in forward hold combined with an overload of crab pots and bad weather.”

Mapping and Location: Southwest Alaska   56 35 N 169 35 W   Chart 16011

Additional Information: Tonnage 194 Gross 137 Net, Length 113.8, Breadth 29.5, Depth 12.6, Built 1976 Mobile AL, ON 576391, Call Sign WYP9676, Former Name Priscilla Ann

Sources: 1. Unofficial Shipwreck List (Alaska), 2. BOEM Alaska Shipwreck List (2011), 3. Daily Sitka Sentinel (January 29, 1996) “Coast Guard Searches For Crew in Bering Sea” Pg 1, 4. USCG MISLE Case # 860367, 5. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1979) Pg 1204

 

PACIFIC (2001)     The 40 foot longline cod fishing vessel Pacific stranded and was lost October 11, 2001 in Iliuliuk Bay near Priest Rock.  The operator had fallen asleep at the wheel.  All three crewmen abandoned ship to the beach.  Salvage was being considered.

Mapping and Location: Southwest Alaska   53 54 N 166 30 W   Chart 16520

Additional Information: ON 694522

Source: U S C G News Release (October 12, 2001) “Coast Guard responds to fuel spill”

 

PACIFIC ROSE (1982)     The fishing vessel Pacific Rose capsized and sank August 2, 1982 approximately 65 miles northwest of Saint Paul Island.

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

Source: BOEM Alaska Shipwreck List (2011)

 

PACIFIC STAR (1987)     The 90 foot fishing vessel Pacific Star was struck by a rogue wave and sank February 4, 1987 approximately 60 miles south of Agattu in the Aleutian Islands.  One crewmember was lost and five were rescued.

Mapping and Location: Southwest Alaska   52 26 N 173 36 E   Chart 16012

Source: BOEM Alaska Shipwreck List (2011)

 

PAN NOVA (1983)     The Korean freighter Pan Nova collided with another freighter September 10, 1983 northeast of Dutch Harbor near Unimak pass and began taking on water.  She eventually sank north of Akun Island.

Mapping and Location: Southwest Alaska   54 11 N 165 32 W   Chart 16011

Source: BOEM Alaska Shipwreck List (2011)

 

PANDORA (1914)     The 8 ton 32 foot wooden gas screw Pandora wrecked and was lost near Unalaska Island at 3:30 p.m. May 21, 1914.  The vessel departed Unalaska April 26, 1914 bound for Kelikuk Bay with two crewmen aboard.  The following are excerpts from the wreck report filed by George King, master of the Pandora:

“Unalaska Island, Alaska”  “Wrecked about 6 miles from Biorka Pass, Unalaska Isld. name of cove unknown”  “Gale, strong SSW wind heavy, heavy swell, wind about 90 miles an hour, big heavy swell running in all afternoon”  “Went into cove dropped starboard anchor, vessel dove and began to take seas on board.  Cut anchor rope vessel went ashore”  “Vessel dove and took considerable water.  Knowing that if remained in this position all would be lost, for that reason I cut the anchor line”  “Total loss”

The Pandora, valued at $500 was a total loss.  She was in ballast and carrying no cargo.  The crew survived.  There was no insurance.

Mapping and Location: Southwest Alaska   53 49 50 N 166 12 30 W   Chart 16528

Additional Information: Tonnage 8 Gross 7 Net, Length 31.6, Breadth 11.2, Depth 3.6, Built 1903 at Seattle, Registered Unalaska, ON 151004, Master George King of Unalaska, Owner Tom Snow of Unalaska

Sources: 1. U S Customs Wreck Report (May 26, 1914) by George King, 2. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1914) Pg 265

PARAMITA (1914)    The 1,582 ton 164 foot wooden bark Paramita stranded and was lost in the Krenitzin Islands at 11:30 a.m. Thursday May 14, 1914.  The vessel departed San Francisco April 17, 1914 bound for Koggiung on the Kvichak River in Bristol Bay with 169 persons aboard including crewmen and cannery hands.  She was also carrying 1,800 tons of general merchandise including coal, pilings, machinery and cannery supplies.  Two wreck reports were filed, one by the Nicholas Wagner, master of the Paramita and the other by her owner, L A Pederson.  Both were aboard.  Wagner states that the vessel struck the S E end of Ugamak Island.  Owner Pederson says the vessel struck the S E end of Rootok Island. Captain Wagner states the vessel was carrying 900 tons of cargo worth $65,000 and Owner Pederson states 1,800 tons worth $85,000.  Captain Wagner values the vessel at $20,000 and Owner Pederson at $18,000.  Captain Wagner states there were 103 cannery employees and 61 crewmen aboard and Owner Pederson states there were 154 passengers and 15 crewmen.  Both agree the vessel was lost at Lost Harbor.  The following are statements from the two wreck reports.   From Captain Wagner:

“Southwest gale at night, dark”  “Vessel struck rock SE end Ugamak Island.  Beached at Lost Harbor leaking badly.  Anchors tore bottom out in S W Gale” “Stranded and sunk”  “Lost Harbor, Akun Island, Alaska”  “Planks torn off bottom”

From Owner Pederson:

“Light SE wind, thick fog, dark”  S E point Rootok Island, Aleutian Group, Alaska”  “Stranding”  “Dropped both anchors”  “Vessel commenced tumping; in the mean time wind changed more easterly and hove anchor chains and got under way, but found that she was making 6 inches of water every 30 minutes with all pumps going.  Kept her afloat 7 hours and beached her at Lost Harbor, Akun Island.”

The master of the vessel, Nicholas Wagner went to Unalaska for assistance which was rendered by the Revenue Cutters Tacoma and Unalga.  The Paramita was a total loss.  Her cargo was partially salvaged.  The vessel had no insurance but the cargo was insured for $30,000.

Mapping and Location: Southwest Alaska   54 13 45 N 165 36 30 W   Chart 16531

Comment: There was a sulfur mining operation at Lost Harbor in the 1920’s.  WG

Additional Information: Tonnage 1,582 Gross 1,444 Net, Length 216.6, Breadth 41.3, Depth 23.1, Built 1879 at Freeport ME, Registered San Francisco, ON 150173, Master Nicholas Wagner of Berkeley CA, Owner L A Pederson of San Francisco CA

Sources: 1. U S Customs Wreck Report November 14, 1914 by Pederson, 2. U S Customs Wreck Report May 29, 1914 by Wagner at Unalaska, 3. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1913) Pg 75

 

PAVLIN VINOGRADOV (1944)     The 2,864 ton Russian ship Pavlin Vinogradov was sunk by Japanese submarine I-180 April 23, 1944 approximately 250 miles southeast of Dutch Harbor.  The vessel was carrying a cargo of acetone from Portland to Vladivostok via Akutan when she exploded and sank in less than a minute.  13 crewmembers perished in the initial explosion and 29 escaped in a life boat.  Of those who made it into the life boat, only 9 survived the 6 day ordeal before rescue by the Russian steamship Ola.

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

Source: BOEM Alaska Shipwreck List (2011)

 

PAVLOV (1990)     The 163 foot fishing vessel Pavlov burned in the Pribilof Islands February 4, 1990.  All 19 crewmembers abandoned ship to life rafts and were rescued by the fishing vessel Shishaldin.

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

Comment: This vessel may have been salvaged and returned to service.

Source: BOEM Alaska Shipwreck List (2011)

 

PELICAN (1897)     The 2,338 ton 327 foot English tramp steamer Pelican sailed from Port Gamble Puget Sound October 3, 1897 for Taku, China and was never seen again.  She had 40 crewmen aboard and a load of railroad ties.  A bottle was found near Portage Bay along the Alaska Peninsula containing the following message:

“S S Pelican Lat 50 N, Long 175 W (120 miles south of Atka Island in the Aleutians).  The ship is sinking, we are leaving her in frail boats. Please report us.  W T Peterson, Chief Officer, Port Townsend, Wash. U.S.”

It was verified that W T Peterson was the Chief Officer of the missing steamer Pelican.  Many searches were conducted but no sign of the Pelican, or her crew, were ever found. The steamer was captained by Alexander Gove.

Mapping and Location: Southwest Alaska    50 N 175 W   Chart 16012

Comment: A second vessel, the Nomad, was traveling the same route but in the opposite direction and disappeared at the same time as the Pelican. It has been speculated that the two disappearances were somehow related. WG

Additional Information: Tonnage 2,338 Gross 1,089 Net, Length 327.5, Breadth 36.75, Depth 27, Built 1882 Glasgow, Captain Gove, Owner E S Whealler of Hong Kong

Sources: 1. Alaska File of the Revenue Cutter Service 1867-1914 “1898”, 2. San Francisco Call (May 31, 1899) “Mysterious Loss of the Pelican Solved” Pg 7, 3. Seattle Daily Times (October 7, 1897) “News from Tacoma” Pg 2 Col 4, 4. The San Jose Evening News (March 4, 1899) “Wreckage from the Missing Pelican” “Nomad May Have Struck a Derelict” Pg 5

PERRY (1910)     The 451 ton 161 foot steamer Perry, in service as a U S Revenue Cutter was lost July 30, 1910 at Tonki Point Reef on Saint Paul Island.  The vessel was valued at $150,000 with cargo at the time of the loss.

Mapping and Location: Southwest Alaska   57 08 50 N 170 12 40 W   Charts 16011, 16382

Comment: Tonki Point now more commonly called Stony Point.  WG

Additional Information: Tonnage 451, Length 161, Breadth 25, Depth 11.02, Built 1884 at Buffalo NY, Registered Port Townsend WA

Sources: 1. Marine Disasters of the Alaska Route (1916) Pg 33, 2. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1909) Pg 418

PHOENIX (1993)     The 104 foot steel fishing vessel Phoenix drifted onto the rocks and was lost April 12, 1993 between Twin Lava Point and Derby Point off of Umnak Island.  Problems with the main engine reduction gear clutch coupled with the vessel’s rigging entangled in her rudder and a dragging anchor allowed the Phoenix to drift onto the rocks. Pounding seas soon destroyed the vessel. There was no loss of life.

Mapping and Location: Southwest Alaska   53 09 30 N 168 47 30 W   Chart 16500

Additional Information: Tonnage 198 Gross 134 Net, Length 104.2, Breadth 23.3,Depth 10, ON 250687, Built 1946 Whitestone NY, Former names Luckimee, Luckimee Canadian, Luckimee, Josephine Ess, Anna Maria & Elena

Sources: 1. Michael Burwell Shipwreck List (2013), 2. USCG MISLE Case # 53950, 3. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1979) Pgs 94 & 1857

 

POLAR COMMAND (1989)     The 122 foot steel diesel powered fishing vessel Polar Command stranded and was lost October 15, 1989 at the east end of South Cove on Chuginadak Island in the Aleutians. The entire crew of 26 was rescued.

Mapping and Location: Southwest Alaska   52 50 N 169 45 W   Chart 16011

Additional Information:  Tonnage 199 gross 124 Net, Length 122.1, Breadth 32, Depth 11.5, Former Baroid Rocket, ON 297337, Built 1964, Owner Deep Sea Fisheries Inc., SL WU6601

Sources: 1. USCG Maritime Information Exchange, 2. Shipwrecks on the Alaska Maritime Wildlife Refuge “Chuginadak Island”

 

PREDATOR (2017)     The 90 foot steel trawler Predator grounded on the southern shoreline of Akutan Harbor just after midnight February 13, 2017 when a crewman fell asleep at the helm.  The Predator was returning from the fishing grounds north of Unimak Pass and had 330,000 pounds of fish aboard. After several hours of strong wind and wave action, the vessel developed cracks in her hull and flooded becoming a total constructive loss. A U S Coast Guard H-60 helicopter lifted the three crewmen to safety. After multiple attempts to refloat the vessel, Magone Marine of Dutch Harbor finally was able to dewater and haul the Predator to their salvage yard.

Mapping and Location: Southwest Alaska   54 07 45 N 165 45 W   Chart 16520

Additional Information: Tonnage 162 Gross 110 Net, Length 79.6, Breadth 24.5, Depth 12.3, Built 1973 Ocean Springs MS, Former Name Queen Victoria, Call Sign WYT8222

Sources: 1. USCG MISLE Activity Number 6090098, 2. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1979) Pgs 1220 & 1810

 

PREDPIIATIE SV ALEXANDRY (1802)     The Russian vessel Predpiiatie Sv Alexandry (Enterprise of St Alexander) wrecked and became a total loss at Unalaska Island in 1802.

Mapping and Location: Southwest Alaska   53 35 N 166 50 W   Charts 16011, 16520

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

PT-22 (1943)     The Navy PT boat PT-22 was beached and abandoned in a storm June 11, 1943 near Adak.

Mapping and Location: Southwest Alaska   51 52 N 176 39 W   Chart 16012

Source: BOEM Alaska Shipwreck List (2011)

 

PT-219 (1943)     The 78 foot Navy motor torpedo boat PT-219 foundered and sank during a storm September 14, 1943 at Casco Cove, Attu Island.

Mapping and Location: Southwest Alaska   52 49 N 173 10 15 E   Chart 16420

Comment: Some records show that on November 1, 1943 the Navy tug Ute salvaged a PT boat at Massacre Bay and towed it to a mooring buoy.  This could have been the PT-219 as Casco Cove is within Massacre Bay.  WG

Source: BOEM Alaska Shipwreck List (2011)

 

PUTCO-2 (1959)     The 90 ton 70 foot steel barge Putco-2 stranded and was lost September 8, 1959 near Dutch Harbor.

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

Additional Information: Tonnage 90 Gross and Net, Length 70.1, Breadth 30, Depth 4.6, Built 1959 at Seattle, Owner Puget United Transportation Cos., Registered Seattle, ON 278539

Sources: 1. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1960) Pg 466, 2. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1961) “Vessels Reported Lost” Pg 862