I-180 (1944) The 336 foot 1,630 ton Japanese submarine I-180 was sunk by depth charges from the U S destroyer escort Gilmore April 26, 1944 southwest of Chirikof Island. The I-180 had a compliment of 86 officers and men who perished with the submarine.
Mapping and Location: South Central Alaska 55 50 N 155 37 W Chart 16580
Sources: 1. BOEM Alaska Shipwreck List (2011), 2. Wikipedia.org (2013) “Japanese submarine I-180”
IDA (1932) The 13 ton wooden gas screw fishing vessel Ida was destroyed by fire September 12, 1932 at the Oil Dock in Kodiak. The one person aboard made it to safety.
Mapping and Location: South Central Alaska 57 47 20 N 152 24 10 W Chart 16580
Additional Information: Tonnage 13 Gross 11 Net, Length 32, Breadth 10.7, Depth 4.6, Built 1915 at Seattle WA, Horsepower 12, Owner Diamond Fish Company, Registered Seattle, ON 213360
Sources: 1. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1938) “Vessels Reported Lost” Pg 512, 2. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1932) Pgs 364-5
IDA WATTS (1908) The 98 ton two masted schooner Ida Watts was wrecked at Sand Point December of 1908 with the loss of one native crewman. The vessel was built at Ballard in 1885 and was for many years operating as a coaster out of San Francisco.
Mapping and Location: South Central Alaska 55 20 15 N 160 30 W Chart 16553
Sources: 1. Shipwrecks of the Alaskan Shelf and Shore (1992), 2. The H W McCurdy Marine History of the Pacific Northwest (1966) Pg 156
IKAROSS (1928) The 22 ton wooden gas screw Ikaross was destroyed by fire at 10:45 a.m. Wednesday September 26, 1928 between Cordova and the cannery in Eyak River. John Hartelrad, master of the Ikaross departed Cordova that morning with two other crewmen and at some point an engine backfire, said to be caused by water in the fuel, started the fire. The heavy winds made it impossible to check the flames even with the use of the two Pyrene fire extinguishers aboard. The Ikaross, valued at $3,500 became a total loss. The crew escaped to safety.
Mapping and Location: South Central Alaska 60 30 N 145 40 W Chart 16709
Additional Information: Tonnage 22 Gross 18 Net, Built 1915, Registered Seward, ON 213339, Owner Pioneer Seafood, Vessel Insurance unknown
Source: U S Coast Guard Report of Casualty at Cordova September 27, 1928 by Hartelrad
ILAOTT (1964) The 15 ton 38 foot wooden oil screw fishing vessel Ilaott was destroyed by a tidal wave March 27, 1964 at Seward.
Mapping and Location: South Central Alaska 60 06 30 N 149 26 30 W Chart 16680
Additional Information: Tonnage 15 Gross 10 Net, Length 38.7, Breadth 12.1, Depth 5, Built 1943 at Cosmopolis WA, Former Name J-728 (U S A), Horsepower 75, Owner Donald O Spaulding, Registered Juneau, ON 262390
Sources: 1. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1964) Pg 291, 2. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1965) “Vessels Reported Lost” Pg 1003
ILIAMNA (1973) The 17 ton 36 foot wooden oil screw fishing vessel Iliamna was lost February 23, 1973 after a collision with a submerged log in Kachemak Bay.
Mapping and Location: South Central Alaska 59 35 N 151 52 W Chart 16640
Additional Information: Tonnage 17 Gross 11 Net, Length 36, Breadth 12.7, Depth 4.9, Built 1947 at Seldovia, ON 253353
Sources: 1. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1965) Pg 304, 2. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1974) “Vessels Reported Lost” Pg 1636
ILIAMNA (2001) The 29 foot cod fishing vessel Iliamna flooded and sank from the stern May 5, 2001 approximately 12 miles south of Kodiak in Chiniak Bay. There was one person aboard jigging for cod fish when the disaster occurred. The operator was rescued by the fishing vessel Tina Marie and transported to Saint Paul Harbor in Kodiak.
Mapping and Location: South Central Alaska 57 42 N 152 20 W Chart 16580
Additional Information: ON 556080
Source: U S C G Enforcement Report (May 5, 2001)
IMPERIAL (1922) The two masted halibut schooner Imperial disappeared after leaving Juneau for the Yakutat fishing grounds December 24, 1922.
Mapping and Location: South Central Alaska 59 33 N 139 44 W Chart 16016
Source: BOEM Alaska Shipwreck List (2011)
IMPERIAL (1931) The 22 ton gas screw Imperial was lost in a fire while anchored at Copper River Flats at 8:00 a.m. Friday May 28, 1931. The owner and master of the Imperial, Aton F Novatney of Yakutat was three miles away fishing when he noticed the fire. No one else was aboard the vessel. The Imperial was valued at $3,500 and her cargo of three tons of supplies and fishing gear valued at $1,000; all lost with no insurance.
Mapping and Location: South Central Alaska 60 25 N 145 W Chart 16013
Additional Information: Tonnage 22 Gross 15 Net, Age 19 years, Registered Juneau, ON 206922, Last Port Cordova
Source: U S Coast Guard Report of Casualty filed at Cordova by Novatney June 13, 1931
INDEPENDENT (1916) The 151 ton steam screw fishing vessel Independent struck a reef and was abandoned at 4:50 a.m. Friday October 6, 1916 near Middleton Island. The vessel departed Juneau September 28, 1916 bound for sea fisheries with a crew of 38. She had 20,000 lbs. of fresh halibut aboard worth $1,600 at the time of the casualty. The following are excerpts from the report of casualty filed at Juneau by Thomas A Miller, master of the Independent:
“Gale, heavy sea, dark and rainy.” “According to log had 10 more miles to run and then should have cleared island by 10 miles to southward.” “Unusual currents” “Vessel had been slowed down for …minutes and stopped for five minutes when struck lightly, then swung her around on opposite course, ran two minutes when struck again hard carrying away rudder, water soon put fires out and vessel began sinking, compelled to abandon her.” “Reef about three miles off Middleton Island…stranded”
The Independent was valued at $50,000 at the time of the wreck and it was not know whether there was any insurance.
Mapping and Location: South Central Alaska 59 26 N 146 20 W Chart 16013
Additional Information: Tonnage 151 Net, Built 1911 at Tacoma Washington, Registered Seattle, ON 208322, Master Thomas A Miller of Seattle, Owner Weiding & Independent Fisheries Co
Source: U S Coast Guard Report of Casualty filed at Juneau October 13, 1916 by Miller
INDEPENDENT (1920) The 17 ton wooden gas screw Independent had her engine break down, drifted ashore, stranded and was lost at 6:00 p.m. Tuesday June 29, 1920 on the eastern spit at the entrance to Dry Bay. The Independent left East River June 27th bound for Dry Bay and had two crew and 3000 lbs. of salmon aboard when the casualty occurred. The vessel was valued at $4,500 and the salmon at $125. The crew made it to safety but the Independent and her cargo were lost. The weather was cloudy with rain, SE wind and heavy SE swell and the barometer at 29.84. Anchors were dropped when the engine failed, but owing to strong currents they did not hold. The insurance on the vessel was for $4,500 but only covered fire. The cargo had a blanket policy.
Mapping and Location: South Central Alaska 59 08 N 138 25 W Chart 16760
Comment: Most likely Dry Bay near East (Alsek) River. WG
Additional Information: Tonnage 17 Gross 11 Net, Built 1911, Registered at Juneau and Seattle, ON 208782, Master B W Branch, Owner Libby McNeil & Libby
Source: U S Coast Guard Report of Casualty filed in Seattle by F Svensson, General Superintendent Libby, McNeil & Libby November 22, 1920
INDIAN (1977) The converted Washington State Ferry freezer boat Indian beached on the “mousetrap” of Egg Island south of Cordova in rough weather September 7, 1977 and was lost. All nine crewmembers were rescued by the riverboat tender Cowboy which the Indian had been towing before she ran aground. Over $2.5 million in salmon and gear were lost.
Mapping and Location: South Central Alaska 60 23 N 145 46 W Chart 16700
Source: BOEM Alaska Shipwreck List (2011)
INTERCEPTOR (1992) The 42 foot halibut longline fishing vessel Interceptor anchored at low tide with no slack in the cable, flooded and sank with the incoming tide September 7, 1992 near Flat Island in Cook Inlet. There was no one aboard at the time of the disaster.
Mapping and Location: South Central Alaska 59 19 45 N 151 59 45 W Chart 16640
Additional Information: ON 930282
Sources: 1. U S C G Shipwreck List (1989-2004), 2. Michael Burwell Shipwreck List (2013)
INTREPID (1970) The tug Intrepid rolled over and sank in a gale February 19, 1970 in the Gulf of Alaska 60 miles south of Yakutat. Three of the eight crewmembers on board were lost including captain Gene Allen (59), Edward Thomas (47) and John Orville Pederson (41), all from Seattle, Washington. Five other crewmembers survived more than 60 hours in a life raft until rescued by the U S Coast Guard buoy tender Clover. The 400 foot long barge Cordova that the Intrepid was towing washed ashore near Yakutat at Dangerous River and was later salvaged.
Mapping and Location: South Central Alaska 59 33 N 139 44 W Chart 16016
Sources: 1. Seattle Daily Times (March 3, 1970) “Intrepid Sinking Still a Mystery” Pg C 19, 2. BOEM Alaska Shipwreck List (2011)
INVINCLA (1964) The vessel Invincla owned by Kenneth Woods was reported lost at Kodiak in the Good Friday earthquake of March 27, 1964.
Mapping and Location: South Central Alaska 57 47 20 N 152 24 10 W Chart 16580
Source: Unofficial Wreck List
IOLA (1952) The 11 ton 33 foot wooden gas screw fishing vessel Iola burned July 22, 1952 at 57 46 30 N Lat. 152 24 W Long.
Mapping and Location: South Central Alaska 57 46 30 N 152 24 W Chart 16595
Comment: The coordinates given put the wreck in the vicinity of Near Island near Kodiak. WG
Additional Information: Tonnage 11 Gross 7 Net, Length 33.4, Breadth 10.8, Depth 4.4, Built 1938 at Kodiak, Horsepower 110, Owner Emil Christofferson Sr, Registered Juneau, ON 237721
Sources: 1. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1952) Pg 253, 2. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1953-1954) “Vessels Reported Lost” Pg 748
IRENE (1999) The 37 foot charter fishing vessel Irene flooded and sank at 11 a.m. July 7, 1999 near the entrance to Cook Inlet, eight miles south of Flat Island. All eight persons on board were rescued by U S Coast Guard Helicopters.
Mapping and Location: South Central Alaska 59 19 45 N 151 59 45 W Chart 16640
Sources: 1. U S C G News Release (July 7, 1999) “Coast Guard rescues 8 after charter boat sinks in Cook Inlet”, 2. Michael Burwell Shipwreck List (2013)
IRENE DAWN (1984) The 42 foot fishing vessel Irene Dawn caught fire and burned July 23, 1984 in Raspberry Strait. All aboard were picked up by the fishing vessel Joanice T.
Mapping and Location: South Central Alaska 58 02 N 153 W Chart 16580
Source: Unofficial Shipwreck List (Kodiak)
IRISH ROVER (1983) The 68 foot crab fishing vessel Irish Rover was lost in an explosion and fire December 18, 1983 in the Gulf of Alaska ten miles north northeast of Yakutat. All three crewmembers abandoned ship with only minor injuries to a 26 foot vessel they had been towing.
Mapping and Location: South Central Alaska 59 33 N 139 44 W Chart 16016
Comment: This wreck shows on some lists December 1, 1984. WG
Sources: 1. BOEM Alaska Shipwreck List (2011), 2. The Oregonian (December 21, 1983) “Seattle crabber captain injured” Pg C 4
IRON MULE (1971) The fishing vessel Iron Mule sank in rough weather July 13, 1971 near Kalgin Island in Cook Inlet. All eight persons aboard and a pet spaniel were rescued by two skiffs from the Air Force Helicopter Squadron from Elmendorf Air Force Base.
Mapping and Location: South Central Alaska 60 28 N 151 55 W Chart 16660
Source: BOEM Alaska Shipwreck List (2011)
ISABEL (1888) The 184 ton 103 foot two masted cod fishing schooner Isabel foundered at sea May 3, 1888 in the Shumagin Islands. During and following the wreck 12 crewmembers were lost, including the captain. The Isabel was valued at $15,000 with cargo at the time of the loss. All nineteen crewmembers abandoned the vessel in eight dories during a storm. In the end, only seven survived. Captain Nickerson was lost along with 11 others. The following excerpt is from the U S Bureau of Fisheries report of 1917:
“From 1882 to 1888 Ed. H Hansen, of Wright and Bowne, and Captain A. Anderson, now The Lewis, Anderson, Foard Co., with some others, operated the schooner Isabel, Capt. Nickerson, in this business (cod)…Business became so poor they did not keep the old Isabel in good repair, and in the spring of 1888, while on her way to the fishing banks, she opened up somewhere out at sea. As many of the crew as could do so got into the dories, and after suffering many privations about half of them were rescued more nearly dead than alive.”
Thomas Kenniff drowned and Captain Nickerson and splitter Soborn Roth died of exposure after their dory capsized in rough weather some time after leaving the sinking Isabel. During the month following the disaster, only five survivors were found including the 2nd Mate, 3rd Mate David Harris, Harry Brown, Harry Holmes and Frank Gordon (Gorman). On June 4th two additional crewmen from the Isabel were found in a dory by the schooner Kodiak. From a crew of 19 aboard the Isabel only 7 survived long enough to regain civilization more than a month after abandoning the wreck.
Mapping and Location: South Central Alaska 55 10 N 160 W Chart 16551
Additional Information: Tonnage 184.93 Gross 175.69 Net, Length 103.2, Breadth 29.8, 9.4, Built 1864 at Coos Bay OR, Registered San Francisco CA, ON 12265, SL HVMD
Sources: 1. Shipwrecks of the Alaskan Shelf and Shore (1992), 2. Dept of Commerce – Pacific Cod Fisheries (1916) Pg 108, 3. Report of the U S Commissioner of Fisheries for fiscal year 1915 (1917) “Pacific Cod Fisheries” Pg 30, 4. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1888) Pg 147, 5. New York Tribune (June 23, 1888) “Hardships Of A Crew Wrecked On Alaska” Front Page, 6. San Francisco Chronicle (June 21, 1888) “Wreck of a San Francisco Schooner” Pg 6, 7. New York Herald (June 23, 1888) “Lost in the Pacific” Pg 9
ISABEL N (1964) A vessel named Isabel N, owned by Ray Martin Jr., was reported lost at Kodiak in the Good Friday earthquake of March 27, 1964.
Mapping and Location: South Central Alaska 57 47 20 N 152 24 10 W Chart 16580
Source: Unofficial Wreck List
ISLA N (1965) The 11 ton 30 foot wooden gas screw fishing vessel Isla N foundered August 28, 1965 at Monashka Bay.
Mapping and Location: South Central Alaska 57 50 N 152 25 W Chart 16580
Additional Information: Tonnage 11 Gross 10 Net, Length 30.8, Breadth 11, Depth 4.1, Built 1947 at Seattle WA, Former Name Cape Chiniak, Horsepower 107, SL WE2706, Owner George Naumoff, Registered Juneau, ON 252190
Sources: 1. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1965) Pg 310, 2. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1968) “Vessels Reported Lost” Pg 1168
ISLAND BELLE (1889) The 44 foot 19 ton wooden schooner Island Belle stranded and was lost on the southern shore of Delarof Harbor at 5 p.m. Sunday September 15, 1889. The vessel had left Humbolt Harbor for Unga Harbor in ballast with a crew of four. The following are excerpts from the wreck report filed in San Francisco November 23, 1889 by W C Lynde, managing owner:
“Missed stays, heavy swell, change of wind while in lee of high bluff. Very strong. After heavy storm, heavy swell. Just before dark.” “Another attempt to tack ship. But on account of current, of wind suddenly changing, and high bluff making a lee, vessel was helpless in heavy sea among rocks and on lee shore. Struck rock, went about, but found rock had carried away rudder entirely….Two minutes later dashed on beach.”
The crewmembers were assisted by fishermen from Unga Harbor. The Island Belle, valued at $3,000 was a total loss with no insurance.
Mapping and Location: South Central Alaska 55 10 30 N 160 30 W Chart 16006
Additional Information: Length 43.5, Breadth 15, Depth 5.7, Built 1888 in California City California, Tonnage 19.14, Age one year four months, Registered San Francisco, ON 100421, Master John North of Humbolt Harbor Alaska, Owner W C Lynde M.O. of San Francisco
Source: U S Customs Wreck Report of November 23, 1889
ISLAND DUKE (1946) The 15 ton 45 foot wooden gas screw Island Duke stranded and was lost off Graveyard Point in Kvichak Bay on July 12, 1946.
Mapping and Location: South Central Alaska 58 52 N 157 01 W Chart 16323
Additional Information: Tonnage 15 Gross 10 Net, Length 45.6, Breadth 13, Depth 5, Built 1917 at Stockton CA, Service tow, Crew 2, Horsepower 100, Owner Bristol Bay Packing Company, SL WOKG, Registered San Francisco CA, 215439
Sources: 1. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1946) Pg 226, 2. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1947) “Vessels Reported Lost” Pg 823
ITALIO (1956) The 53 ton 64 foot wooden oil screw fishing vessel Italio was consumed by fire September 8, 1956 near the eastern spit of the Kaliakh River, 12 miles west of Cape Yakataga.
Mapping and Location: South Central Alaska 60 05 40 N 142 48 30 W Chart 16016
Comment: This is sometimes spelled Italic in other reports. WG
Additional Information: Tonnage 53 Gross 36 Net, Length 64, Breadth 16.6, Depth 5.9, Built 1928 at Bellingham WA, Horsepower 100, SL WA6132, Owner Harold Hofstad, Registered Juneau, ON 227296
Sources: 1. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1957) Pg 245, 2. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1958) “Vessels Reported Lost” Pg 778
IVANOF II (1983) The fishing vessel Ivanof II stranded and was lost January 30, 1983 o Little Koniuji Island in the Shumagin Islands.
Mapping and Location: South Central Alaska 55 N 159 23 W Chart 16011
Source: BOEM Alaska Shipwreck List (2011)
IVANOF II (1996) The 36 foot fishing vessel Ivanof II burned from a cook stove fire and was lost September 5, 1996 two nautical miles north of Seldovia. Both persons on board made it to safety.
Mapping and Location: South Central Alaska 59 26 15 N 151 42 30 W Chart 16640
Additional Information: ON 592223
Sources: 1. U S C G Shipwreck List (1989-2004), 2. Michael Burwell Shipwreck List (2013)