JABEZ HOWES (1869) The sloop Jabez Howes was lost some time before July 10, 1869 in the Black Fox Islands of Alaska.
Mapping and Location: Unknown Alaska
Comment: Possibly Fox Islands on the east end of the Aleutian Islands. This vessel was reported wrecked before the Jabez Howes of 1911 was built. WG
Source: Sacramento Daily Union (July 12, 1869) “Vessels Wrecked on the Alaska Coast”
JAMES A HAMILTON (1889) The 74 ton 82 foot wooden whaling schooner James A Hamilton was lost during the whaling season of 1889. Newspapers report the James A Hamilton (J A Hamilton, Hamilton) departed California March 3, 1889 bound for Unalaska with her whaling crew and three passengers for the schooner Angel Dolly; Captain John Lee, a mate and a seaman. The James A Hamilton was never heard from again. Lost were her Captain – Alfred Ryder, First Mate – John Gifford, Third Mate – Thomas Foster, Boat Steerers – Peter Johnson, George Warren and Charles Fitzgerald, Seamen – Charles Frestrain, George Penson, William Brightman, John Wilson, Thomas F Quirk, Steuart Charles Thompson, John Santos, William Dodge, Alfred Christian, and Jas. Jackson, Cook – John F Bookey, Cabin Boy – Zachriah, and the three passengers. The James A Hamilton was valued between $10,000 to $15,000 at the time of the disaster.
Mapping and Location: Alaska Unknown
Comment: The 81 foot schooner Otter and 57 foot schooner Annie were also lost with all hands along the same route the same time. Rumors circulated that the three were lost in the gales of late March.
Additional Information: Tonnage 77.8 Gross 73.91 Net, Length 81.5, Breadth 24, Depth 7.5, Built 1885 at Benicia CA, Registered San Francisco, ON 76555, Owner Magee & Moore
Sources: 1. Shipwrecks of the Alaskan Shelf and Shore (1992), 2. The Daily Alta California (July 25, 1889) “Probable Loss of Three Schooners Which Left Last March” Pg 2 Col 1, 3. Merchant Sailing Vessels of the United States (1888) Pg 152
JAMES G SWAN (1903) The 44 ton sealing schooner James G Swan foundered and was lost June 30, 1903 along the Alaska Coast. The vessel was built in San Francisco in 1865 and valued at $6,000 with cargo at the time of the loss.
Mapping and Location: Unknown Alaska Coast
Comment: The M M Morrill, another sealing schooner, is reported lost the same day. WG
Sources: 1. The H W McCurdy Marine History of the Pacific Northwest (1966) Pg 94, 2. Shipwrecks of the Alaskan Shelf and Shore (1992)
JAPAN (1870) The 140 foot whaling bark Japan was lost two miles NW of East Cape October 10, 1870. A diminishing gale and heavy fog were said to have contributed to the casualty. The Japan was out of Sydney, Australia
Mapping and Location: Siberia
Sources: 1. Alaska File of the Revenue Cutter Service 1867-1914, 2. BOEMRE Shipwreck List (2011)
JEANIE (1913) The steamer Jeanie wrecked December 19, 1913 at the south end of Calvert Island, Queen Charlotte Sound.
Mapping and Location: British Columbia
Source: Marine Disasters of the Alaska Route (1916) Pg 28
JENNIE (1903) The cannery steamer Jennie stranded and sank at Denman Island in 1903.
Mapping and Location: British Columbia
Source: The H W McCurdy Marine History of the Pacific Northwest (1966) Pg 94
JOANN (1979) The 86 foot vessel Joann sank April 18, 1979. All crewmen were rescued by the Yankee Clipper.
Mapping and Location: Unknown
Source: Unofficial Wreck List (Kodiak)
JOHN A COONEY (1934) The 30 ton 55 foot wooden oil screw cod fishing vessel John A Cooney foundered at Nashawena Island April 4, 1934. This wreck is reported as happening in Alaska on the 1934 Merchant Vessels Lost list but it is possibly Nashawena Island in Massachusetts.
Mapping and Location: Unknown
Comment: Could also be Nakwasina. WG
Sources: 1. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1934) “Vessels Reported Lost” Pg 1007, 2. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1933) Pgs 382-3