South East Alaska Shipwrecks ( G )

G F 1 (1951)     The 7 ton wooden gas screw G F 1 foundered when lost overboard from the oil screw Sea Lark July 13, 1951 approximately 400 miles southwest of Ketchikan.

Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska Unknown

Comment: Lost overboard along with the 7 ton wooden gas screws B B 1 and G F 6

Additional Information: Tonnage 7 Gross, Built 1951, ON 261967

Source: Merchant Vessels of the U S (1952) “Vessels Reported Lost” Pg 955

 

G F 6 (1951)     The 7 ton wooden gas screw G F 6 foundered when lost overboard from the oil screw Sea Lark July 13, 1951 approximately 400 miles southwest of Ketchikan.

Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska Unknown

Comment: Lost overboard along with the 7 ton wooden gas screws B B 1 and G F 1

Additional Information: Tonnage 7 Gross, Built 1951, ON 261972

Source: Merchant Vessels of the U S (1952) “Vessels Reported Lost” Pg 955

 

G G K (1949)     The 8 ton 33 foot wooden gas screw fishing vessel G G K collided with and unknown object between Necker and Biorka Islands on December 13, 1949 and was lost.

Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska   56 49 N 135 27 W   Chart 17326

Additional Information: Tonnage 8 Gross 6 Net, Length 33, Breadth 9.8, Depth 4, Built 1941 at Sitka, Horsepower 90, Owner Gottfred Kellberg, Registered Sitka, ON 250966

Sources: 1. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1950) Pg 206, 2. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1951) “Vessels Reported Lost” Pg 937

 

G THACKLE (1915)     The gas screw G Thackle is reported to have been lost on SW Prince of Wales Island in 1915.  The vessel was valued at $800 at the time of the casualty.

Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska   54 53 45 N 132 29 30 W   Chart 17400

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

GAMBIER (1949)     The 31 ton 47 foot wooden gas screw Gambier burned August 26, 1949 one mile west of Cape Bingham in Cross Sound.

Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska   58 05 30 N 136 31 W   Chart 17300

Additional Information: Tonnage 31 Gross 21 Net, Length 47, Breadth14, Depth 5, Built 1912 at Port Blakely WA, Former Name Itsol, Service freight, Crew 6, Horsepower 121, Owner Walter W Reams, Registered Juneau, ON 210084

Sources: 1. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1952) Pg 202, 2. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1953-1954) “Vessels Reported Lost” Pg 748

 

GAYLENE (1989)     Shifting cargo caused the 40 foot steel salmon troller Gaylene to founder and sink August 8, 1989 at Biorka Island.  All three crewmembers made it to safety.

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

Additional Information: ON 553632

Source: BOEM Alaska Shipwreck List (2011)

 

GAZELLE (1933)     The 9 ton 32 foot wooden gas screw fishing vessel Gazelle stranded and was lost at Juneau December 5, 1933.  There was no one aboard at the time of the loss.

Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska   58 18 15 N 134 20 30 W   Chart 17300

Additional Information: Tonnage 9 Gross 7 Net, Length 32.4, Breadth 9.1, Depth 4.5, Built 1918 at Seattle WA, Horsepower 18, Owner Martin Paddock of Tenakee, Registered Juneau, ON 216484

Sources: 1. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1934) “Vessels Reported Lost” Pg 1007, 2. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1933) Pgs 332-3

GENERAL SIGLIN (1897)     The waterlogged dismasted hulk of the 80 foot 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.  The Coast Guard 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 14, 1897 the vessel was located by the Corwin minus her crew except 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 and beached.  Lost were captain Jerome Thomas, E C Greenfield (trading agent for the Northern Commercial Company at Wood Island), his wife and six year old son, mate Harry Saunders, cook J C W Ohn, seaman R Bendix, seaman Martin Jeppison and seaman P Peterson.

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

Comment: This vessel was put back into service and lost with all hands again in 1902.

Source: Alaska File of the Revenue Cutter Service 1867-1914 Roll 7

GEORGE JR (1925)     The 27 ton wooden gas screw George Jr foundered and was lost with all hands January 25, 1925 between Taku Harbor and Gastineau Channel.  The George Jr departed Petersburg January 23 bound for Juneau with three crewmen and one passenger.  She was also carrying 600 lbs of merchandise.  Lost in the disaster were the vessel’s master, Nick Bystrom, Ed Lee, John Loseth and R. R. Brown.  There was a heavy north wind, thick snow and heavy seas.  The George Jr was valued at $11,000 and her cargo at $1,500.

Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska   58 05 45 N 134 07 30 W   Chart 17300

Additional Information: Tonnage 27 Gross 21 Net, Age 4 Years, Registered Juneau, ON 222582, Owner George Ramstead of Juneau, Vessel Insurance $7,000, Cargo Insurance none

Source: U S Coast Guard Report of Casualty filed by Ramstead February 9, 1925 at Juneau

GEORGE S WRIGHT (1873)     Five years after the purchase of Alaska the George S Wright became the first major shipwreck.  The 116 foot steamer departed Sitka January 20, 1873 with officers of the garrison and other passengers aboard headed for Portland.  The crew from captain to coal passers consisted of 21 souls and approximately 13 passengers were aboard.  The steamer made stops at Tongass and Klawock sailing for Nanaimo January 25, 1873.  It has been supposed that the vessel struck a rock somewhere near Cape Caution in the Queen Charlotte Sound about the 27^th of January. One report states the vessel struck Devils Reef in the Sea Otter group.  Wreckage of the George S Wright was found from Queen Charlotte Sound to Prince of Wales Island.  Reports later surfaced that some survivors of the wreck had been captured and murdered by Haida Indians.  Crewmembers lost with the George S Wright were captain Thomas J Ainsley, purser B F Weidler, chief engineer John Sutton, second engineer James Minor, first mate David Noonan, seaman P Clawson, seaman Owen McGough, seaman James Irwin, seaman Gus Proffe, seaman J Jansen, steward Chris Adam, cook Pedro Selvo, waiter C Hevenichi, pantryman Moses Batiste, an Indian messboy and two other Indians.  Included in the passengers was paymaster Major John S Walker with his wife and son, U S Army Captain Henry C Dodge and George A Eades collector for the Port of Sitka.  Captain Ainsley was engaged to be married to a young lady from Jackson, Michigan.  The loss was a complete mystery.  In the summer of 1875 the remains of paymaster Major John S Walker were found with a life preserver still attached on an island at the entrance to Port Bazan on Dall Island.  In the spring of 1877 the Free Press of Nanaimo, British Columbia reported the arrest of several Wakena Indians for the murder of fifteen survivors of the wrecked George S Wright.  A story had surfaced detailing the loss of the George S Wright.  The vessel was said to have encountered a terrible storm in the Queen Charlotte Sound where intruding waves exploded her boiler.  One Wakena Indian who had been employed as a coal passer on the steamer and fifteen others escaped into a life raft and made shore on one of two small islands near the disaster.  A fire was built to warm the survivors which subsequently attracted a group of Wakena Indians.  With the help of the Wakena coal passer all the rest of the survivors were massacred in their sleep.  The story was substantiated with the arrest of the coal passer and two other Wakena Indians who were said to have confessed to the murders when arrested in 1877.

Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska   British Columbia   Unknown

Additional Information: Length 116.7, Breadth 25, Depth 10.5, Tonnage 214.94, Home Port San Francisco, ON 10743, SL HVFN, HP 125

Sources: 1. Marine Disasters of the Alaska Routes (1916) Pg 23, 2. New York Times (August 5, 1877), 3. Lewis and Dryden Marine History of the Pacific Northwest (1961) Pgs 204-5, 4. Public Service and Resources of Alaska (1879) Morris, 5. The Press (October 13, 1875) “The Late Major John S Walker” Pg 1, 6. The Daily Citizen (March 15, 1877) “Shipwreck and Disaster”, 7. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1868) Pg 95

GERTIE ELLEN (1958)     The 17 ton 37 foot wooden gas screw fishing vessel Gertie Ellen foundered January 4, 1958 off of City Float in Ketchikan.

Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska   55 20 30 N 131 38 45 W   Chart 17420

Additional Information: Tonnage 17 Gross 12 Net, Length 37.4, Breadth 12, Depth 5.8, Built 1941 at Cordova, Horsepower 105, SL WA5360, Owner Thomas G Clock, Registered Ketchikan, ON 240466

Sources: 1. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1960) Pg 216, 2. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1961) “Vessels Reported Lost” Pg 861

 

GLACIER (1957)     The 39 foot wooden gas screw fishing vessel Glacier burned August 16, 1957 at Ketchikan.

Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska   55 20 30 N 131 38 45 W   Chart 16016

Additional Information: Tonnage 17 Gross 13 Net, Length 38.9, Breadth 11.4, Depth 6.5, Built 1916 at Ballard WA, 140 HP, SL WD3126, ON 213880

Sources: 1. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1974) Pg 1256, 2. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1965) Pg 260

 

GLADIATOR (2008)     The 50 foot wooden salmon seiner Gladiator flooded her engine room, rolled over and sank July 30, 2008 near Kendrick Bay in Clarence Strait on the southeast end of Prince of Wales Island in 230 fathoms of water.  All five crewmembers were rescued by vessels who responded to the Gladiator’s Mayday and subsequent Urgent Marine Broadcasts.

Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska   54 51 15 N 131 58 W   Chart 17420

Additional Information: Tonnage 42 Gross 28 Net, Length 49.9, Breadth 15.8, Depth 6.8, Built 1945 Seattle WA, ON 247663, Former Name New Sunrise, Call Sign WB5190

Sources: 1. USCG District 17 Enforcement Report (July 30, 2008), 2. USCG MISLE Case # 417334

 

GLADSTONE (1929)     The 35 ton wooden gas screw Gladstone caught fire and burned while moored for winter layup at 6:00 a.m. November 23, 1929 at Hood Bay.  The crew of five escaped injury but the Gladstone, valued at $12,500 was lost.  M B Dahl of Hood Bay, owner and master of the vessel, mentioned the possibility that the stove was the origin of the fire in the casualty report.

Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska   57 23 N 134 24 W   Chart 17339

Additional Information: Tonnage 35 Gross 23 Net, Age 10 years, Registered Juneau, ON 217987, Insurance $10,000

Source: U S Coast Guard Report of Casualty filed by Dahl November 30, 1929 at Petersburg

GLADYS (1926)     The 11 ton gas screw fishing vessel Gladys caught fire and was lost at 4:30 p.m. Friday July 9, 1926 about 28 miles SSE of Coronation Island.  The three person crew left Ketchikan July 1^st on a fishing trip to catch halibut.  They had approximately 3,000 lbs in the hold worth $400 when the casualty occurred.  The crewmen “took to boats and were picked up by trolling boat between Spanish Island and Cape Decision.”  The Gladys was valued at $9,000 and became a total loss along with the cargo of fresh halibut.  There was $3,000 worth of insurance on the Gladys but none on the cargo.  Hans Birkland, master of the vessel, mentions in the report of casualty filed July 12, 1926 that the fire started when a kerosene blow torch was being used on machinery and spread to fast to control with fire extinguishers.

Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska   55 53 N 134 14 W   Chart 17402

Additional Information: Tonnage 11, Built 1924, Registered Ketchikan, ON 223602, Owner Jennie Rolie of Ketchikan

Source: U S Coast Guard Report of Casualty filed at Ketchikan by Birkland

GLORIA JEAN (1972)     The 50 foot wooden oil screw seiner Gloria Jean disappeared with three crewmembers on board March 7, 1972 near Walden Rocks in Nichols Passage.  The vessel was travelling from Ketchikan to Metlakatla.  Owner operator Norman P Milne (49) was lost along with two others from Metlakatla.

Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska   55 16 15 N 131 36 20 W   Chart 17420

Additional Information: Tonnage 41 Gross 28 Net, Length 50, Breadth 16, Depth 7.3, Built 1950 at Seattle WA, Former Name Janet N, SL WC7155, HP 100, Registered Ketchikan, ON 259553

Sources: 1. BOEM Alaska Shipwreck List (2011), 2. Anchorage Daily News (March 11, 1972) “Police Blotter” Pg 2, 3. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1968) Pg 308

 

GOING (1932)     The 7 ton gas screw Going drug anchor and was driven onto the rocks at midnight September 7, 1932 on the westerly island of the Tatoosh Group.  Aboard the Going at the time of the casualty were owner and master T F Johnson, his Wife and Grandchild.  Mrs. Johnson was lost.  Weather at the time was reported to be a severe SE wind, rough seas and dark.  T F Johnson “tried to hold off with engine but engine stopped.”  The Going was said to be worth $1,500 with no insurance.

Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska   55 31 N 131 50 W   Chart 17422

Additional Information: Tonnage 7 Gross 5 Net, Built 1916, Registered Ketchikan, ON 217982, Last Port Smugglers Cove September 5^th, Destination Tatoosh Island Behm Canal

Source: U S Coast Guard Report of Casualty by Johnson October 14, 1932 at Ketchikan

GOLD HUNTER (1914)     The small gas screw Gold Hunter stranded and was lost October 15, 1914 at Point Couverdon.  The Gold Hunter had departed Excursion Inlet headed for Juneau with a crew of 2 when the vessel encountered high winds and tide rips which caused the casualty.  The crew escaped but the Gold Hunter, valued at $350 was lost with no insurance.

Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska   58 11 25 N 135 03 10 W   Chart 17316

Additional Information: Tonnage 5 Net, Age 10 years, Registered Ketchikan, ON 201022, Master Allen Young of Ketchikan, Owner Malcolm Campbell of Juneau

Source: U S Coast Guard Report of Casualty at Juneau by Campbell January 23, 1915

GOLDEN EYE (1994)     The 34 foot longline fishing vessel Golden Eye flooded and sank September 16, 1994 near Juneau.  Both persons aboard were rescued by the U S Coast Guard.

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

Additional Information: ON AK9332C

Sources: 1. U S C G Shipwreck List (1989-2004), 2. Michael Burwell Shipwreck List (2013)

 

GOLDEN STREAM (2004)     The 38 foot fishing vessel Golden Stream caught fire from a stove and burned August 25, 2004 at Vallenar Point on Gravina Island.  All three crewmembers escaped to safety.

Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska   55 25 35 N 131 51 W   Chart 17420

Source: Michael Burwell Shipwreck List (2013)

 

GOOD PARTNER (1923)     The 13 ton gas screw Good Partner was lost at Metlakatla at 1:30 a.m. February 14, 1923 when the dolphin she was tied to gave way in a heavy wind and sea.  No one was aboard at the time.  Several attempts were made to get to the vessel by Frank M Williams, the master of the Good Partner and some of his friends from Metlakatla.  They were unsuccessful and the vessel, worth $6,000 was lost with no insurance.  The engine, worth $3,000 was saved.

Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska   57 07 45 N 131 34 30 W   Chart 17434

Additional Information: Tonnage 13 Gross 9 Net, Age 14 years, Registered Seattle, ON 208676, Owner Annette Island Packing Co of Seattle

Source: U S Coast Guard Report of Casualty filed at Ketchikan February 21, 1923 by Williams

GRACE (1939)     The 13 ton wooden gas screw Grace collided with the gas screw ARB 10 of Wrangell at 3:00 a.m. Sunday August 20, 1939 and became a total loss.  The wreck occurred between Vank and Sokoloff Islands.  William Willard, master of the Grace stated in his report of casualty that his wheelman tried to cross the bow of the ARB 10 to stay on the beach side.  After the accident the ARB 10 towed the Grace partially submerged to the beach and anchored her.  They then picked up the crew of five of the Grace and took them to Wrangell.  The conditions at the time were calm seas and dark.

Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska   56 30 N 132 35 W   Chart 17382

Additional Information: Tonnage 13 Gross 9 Net, Built 1914, Registered Wrangell, ON 212425, Owner Wrangell Packing Co, Last Port Afleck Canal August 19^th, Destination Wrangell, Vessel Value $3,000, Vessel Insurance $3,000

Source: U S Coast Guard Report of Casualty filed by Willard at Wrangell August 25, 1929

GRANT T-300 (1932)     A small wrecked troller with a 10 horsepower gas engine marked Grant T-300 was found May 1, 1932 between Dixon Harbor and Icy Point northwest of Cape Spencer.  Human bones were found on a nearby beach.  W G Rohrer registered as the owner of the vessel in Juneau in 1919, but he had passed away years before the wreck was found.

Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska   58 23 10 N 137 04 20 W   Chart 17301

Source: BOEM Alaska Shipwreck List (2011)

 

GRAY GHOST (1995)     The 35 foot wooden salmon troller Gray Ghost flooded and sank March 21, 1995 approximately 25 miles southwest of Juneau near Whitestone Harbor.  Both crewmembers were rescued by the fishing vessel Hoover.  Mark White survived with mild hypothermia, but Miles Dewitt did not survive.

Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska   58 04 N 135 04 W   Chart 17300

Additional Information: AK4157E

Sources: 1. U S C G Shipwreck List (1989-2004), 2. Michael Burwell Shipwreck List (2013)

 

GREEN TOAD (1942)     The 9 ton 30 foot wooden gas screw fishing vessel Green Toad foundered at Ketchikan in December of 1942.

Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska   55 20 30 N 131 38 45 W   Chart 17420

Additional Information: Tonnage 9 Gross 6 Net, Length 30.8, Breadth 11.5, Depth 4.3, Built 1913 at Olympia WA, Horsepower 35, Owner Ernest A Hinkle, Registered Port Angeles WA, ON 211881

Sources: 1. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1947) Pg 201, 2. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1948) “Vessels Reported Lost” Pg 861

GREGORY LIND (1999)     The 26 foot wooden sea cucumber urchin dive boat Gregory Lind was consumed by fire and lost January 21, 1999 at the Ketchikan Pier.  The fire was started by either an ungrounded fuel line during fueling or a propane heater.  All three on board made it to safety.

Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska   55 20 30 N 131 38 45 W   Chart 17420

Additional Information: ON 546267

Sources: 1. U S C G Shipwreck List (1989-2004), 2. Michael Burwell Shipwreck List (2013)

 

GROWLER (1868)     The 48.5 ton schooner Growler left Victoria, B.C. bound for Sitka March 19, 1868 and never made it.  She was outfitted for sealing in the Pribilof Islands.  Wreckage of the Growler and bodies of the crew washed ashore on the southern end of Prince of Wales Island.  The vessel was presumed to have stuck a rock at Cape Chacon and foundered.

Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska   54 41 30 N 132 00 50 W   Chart 17420

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

GRUBSTAKE (1915)     The small power vessel Grubstake was wrecked at Cala Reef in 1915.  Captain John Keller had departed Ketchikan bound for Ham Island where the captain had taken up residence.  He had a cargo of household goods and livestock which were lost with the Grubstake.

Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska   55 18 55 N 131 36 05 W   Chart 17434

Comment: Probably California Rock. WG

Source: The H W McCurdy Marine History of the Pacific Northwest (1966) Pg 258

GRUBSTAKE (1921)     The 18 ton gas screw Grubstake broke a shaft and foundered 3 miles south of Smugglers Cove on Revillagigedo Island December 28, 1921.  The vessel departed Ketchikan that day for Wadding Cove with two aboard.  The following are comments found in the report of casualty file my owner Mrs John Keller:

“Breaking of shaft, foundered.”  “strong southeast….hoisted small sail.”  “Heavy sea and boat was lifted on reef or rocks on shore and bottom smashed…crew reached shore, next day vessel broke up.”

The Grubstake was said to be worth $1,600 no insurance.

Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska   55 37 N 131 53 W   Chart 17422

Comment: Possibly same vessel as 1905 Grubstake in same area same owner name.  WG

Additional Information: 14 Gross 8 Net, Built 1908, Registered Ketchikan, ON 205014, Master L Thornton, Owner Mrs. John Keller of Ketchikan

Source: U S Coast Guard Report of Casualty filed July 18, 1922 by Mrs. Keller

GUIDE (1962)     The gas screw vessel Guide foundered September 6, 1962 at Angoon.

Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska   57 30 N 134 35 W   Chart 17320

Source: BOEM Alaska Shipwreck List (2011)

 

GUY (1900)     The small steamer Guy was lost while on a mail run from Skagway to Haines December 22, 1900 1.5 miles below Skagway.

Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska 59 27 30 N 135 18 45 W   Chart 17317

Sources: 1. The H W McCurdy Marine History of the Pacific Northwest (1966) Pg 63, 2. Shipwrecks of the Alaskan Shelf and Shore (1992)