Alaska Shipwrecks (Y)

ABBREVIATIONS:  AluminumALBritish ColumbiaBCCentralCFiberglassFRPFishing VesselFVIndicated Horse PowerIHPLongliner-LLMotor VesselMVNorthNOfficial NumberONRevenue Cutter ServiceRCSSchoonerSchSignal LettersSLSouth CentralSCSoutheastSESouthwestSWSteel oil screwSOSSteam ShipSSUnknownUUnited States ArmyUSAUnited States Coast GuardUSCGUnited States NavyUSNWestcentralWCWood gas screwWGSWood oil screwWOS

Y-B-2 (1973)     The barge Y-B-2 was lost by its towing vessel July 4, 1973 near Nunivak Island.

Mapping and Location: South Central Alaska   60 N 166 W   Chart 16006

Source: BOEM Alaska Shipwreck List (2011)

 

YAKIMA III (1957)     The 9 ton 32 foot wooden gas screw fishing vessel Yakima III foundered June 20, 1957 approximately 6 miles south of Sitka.

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

Additional Information: Tonnage 9 Gross 6 Net, Length 32.8, Breadth 9.5, Depth 4.4, Built 1920 at Astoria OR, Horsepower 110, Owner Chris Jackson, Registered Bellingham WA, ON 236117

Sources: 1. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1958) Pg 593, 2. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1959) “Vessels Reported Lost” Pg 803

 

YAKUTAT (1979)     The barge Yakutat drug anchor in the Kaliakh River, swamped and foundered west of Cape Yakataga and north of the Kaliakh River September 14, 1979.  Two men were washed overboard and lost.  A 15 year old girl held on to the wreckage all night and then swam to shore at daybreak.

Mapping and Location: South Central Alaska   60 05 40 N 142 48 30 W   Chart 16016

Source: BOEM Alaska Shipwreck List (2011)

 

YAKUTAT EAGLE (1995)     The 48 foot steel crab fishing vessel Yakutat Eagle flooded and sank October 31, 1995 outside of Icy Bay in the Gulf of Alaska.  All three crewmembers were rescued by another fishing vessel.

Mapping and Location: South Central Alaska   59 55 N 141 33 W   Chart 16016

Additional Information: ON 606028

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

 

YANKEE (1924)     The 15 ton 41 foot gas screw fishing vessel Yankee foundered in Kasaan Bay September 24, 1924.  The single person aboard survived the disaster.

Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska   55 24 N 132 06 W   Chart 17420

Additional Information: Tonnage 15 Gross 10 Net, Length 41, Breadth 10.7, Depth 3.1, IHP 30, Built 1906 at Kasaan, Registered Ketchikan, ON 203786

Sources: 1. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1927) “Vessels Reported Lost” Pg 863, 2. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1924) Pg 301

 

YANKEE II (1926)     The 38 ton 83 foot gas screw Yankee II foundered at Cordova February 1, 1926.  The two crewmen made it to safety.

Mapping and Location: South Central Alaska   60 33 N 145 45 W   Chart 16700

Additional Information: Tonnage 38 Gross 26 Net, Length 83.3, Breadth 12, Depth 4.5, Service freight, IHP 75, Built 1909 at Tacoma WA, Registered Seattle, ON 206418

Sources: 1. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1926) “Vessels Lost” Pg 856, 2. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1924) Pg 301

YC-693 (1945)     The U S Navy open lighter vessel YC-693 sank in the North Pacific February 1, 1945.

Mapping and Location: Unknown

Source: BOEM Alaska Shipwreck List (2011)

 

YC-912 (1945)     The U S Navy open lighter vessel YC-912 sank in heavy weather in the north Pacific January 13, 1945.

Mapping and Location: Unknown

Source: BOEM Alaska Shipwreck List (2011)

 

YC-961 (1945)     The U S Navy open lighter YC-961 grounded and was lost May 1, 1945 off of Biorka Island.

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

Source: BOEM Alaska Shipwreck List (2011)

 

YENDUCER (1998)     The 32 foot gillnet salmon fishing vessel Yenducer burned from an engine room fire and was lost June 25, 1998 in Bristol Bay.  All three crewmembers made it to safety.

Mapping and Location: South Central Alaska   57 N 162 W   Chart 16006

Additional Information: ON 973480

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

 

YERMON (1988)     The 40 foot gillnet fishing vessel Yermon sank August 1, 1988 approximately 12 miles west of Ninilchik in Cook Inlet.  Both crewmembers were lost.  All that was found were two hats floating in the water.

Mapping and Location: South Central Alaska   60 03 N 151 40 W   Chart 16640

Source: BOEM Alaska Shipwreck List (2011)

 

YOLANDA M (1995)     The 32 foot wooden salmon seiner Yalanda M collided with the fishing vessel Vortex and sank July 10, 1995 at Egegik.  There was no loss of life.

Mapping and Location: South Central Alaska   58 13 N 157 22 W   Chart 16011

Additional Information: ON AK1136J

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

 

YONDERBOUND (1951)     The 11 ton 39 foot wooden oil screw fishing vessel Yonderbound was consumed by fire September 21, 1950 in Hobo Bay, Prince William Sound.

Mapping and Location: South Central Alaska   60 57 N 148 13 30 W   Chart 16700

Additional Information: Tonnage 11 Gross 7 Net, Length 39.6, Breadth 10.9, Depth 4.2, Built New Bedford MA, Horsepower 70, Owner Resurrection Sea Foods, Registered Juneau, ON 256823

Sources: 1. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1951) Pg 608, 2. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1952) “Vessels Reported Lost” Pg 958

 

YORK (1900)     The 231 ton 131 foot two masted schooner York was lost in the great storm of 1900 on the beach at Nome between September 12th  and September 15th .

Mapping and Location: West central Alaska   64 30 N 165 25 W   Chart 16006

Additional Information: Tonnage 231 Gross 193 Net, Length 131, Breadth 34, Depth 7, Built 1900 at Benicia CA, SL KPVG, Registered San Francisco, ON 27675

Sources: 1. Shipwrecks of the Alaskan Shelf and Shore (1992), 2. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1900) Pg 200, 3. Alaska File of the Revenue Cutter Service 1867-1914 “Vessels Lost in the Bering Sea Summer of 1900”

YORKEY (1913)     The 7 ton 31 foot gas screw Yorkey foundered at Nome October 9, 1913.  The two persons aboard made it to safety.

Mapping and Location: West central Alaska   64 30 N 165 25 W   Chart 16006

Additional Information: Tonnage 7 Gross 5 Net, Length 31.2, Breadth 10.4, Depth 3.4, Built 1909 at Nome, Service freight, IHP 4, Registered Nome, ON 206856

Sources: 1. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1914) “Vessels Reported Lost” Pg 430, 2. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1913) Pg 330

YOUNG AMERICA (1925)     An explosion and fire destroyed the 34 ton 51 foot gas screw fishing vessel Young America at Sitka at 4:45 p.m. Monday May 25, 1925.  The vessel had departed Seward May 6, 1925 bound for sea fisheries with six crewmen aboard.  The following are excerpts from the casualty report filed by Oswald Olsen, master and owner of the Young America:

“Calm, daylight”  “Face of Sitka Wharf & Power Company’s Dock at Sitka, Alaska”  “Gas explosion and fire”  “Instant explosion without apparent cause”  “Boat had just finished taking fuel”  “Dock and city chemical engines with City and Dock fire hose (assisted)”

The Young America had a value of $11,000 and was a total loss.  The only cargo was ballast and stores.  The vessel was insured for $8,000.  There was no loss of life.

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

Additional Information: Tonnage 34 Gross 27 Net, Length 50.9, Breadth 14, Depth 6.6, IHP 40, Built 1917 at Dockton WA, Registered Seattle, ON 215186, Master and owner Oswald Olsen of Seattle

Sources: 1. U S Coast Guard Report of Casualty at Sitka May 28, 1925, 2. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1924) Pg 301

YOUNG PHOENIX (1888)     The 355 ton 107 foot wooden whaling bark Young Phoenix was crushed by ice on a lee shore in a gale and lost near Point Barrow August 3, 1888.  Lost along with the Young Phoenix were the New Bedford barks Mary & Susan and Fleetwing as well as the San Francisco schooners Jane Grey and Ino.  The Young Phoenix had departed Honolulu March 9, 1888 with 38 crewmen aboard.  Her cargo at the time of the disaster was listed as $13,000 worth of whaling supplies.  The Young Phoenix had a value of $8,000 and was a complete loss, as was her cargo.  The vessel was insured for $17,000.  No lives were lost.

Mapping and Location: Northern Alaska   71 23 29 N 156 28 30 W   Chart 16003

Additional Information : Tonnage 355, Length 107.3, Breadth 28.5, Depth 18.7, Built 1882 at Rochester MA, Registered New Bedford MA, ON 27562, Master M V B Willard of San Francisco, Owner J H Bartlett & Sons of New Bedford

Sources: 1. U S Customs Wreck Report December 13, 1888 at New Bedford by J H Bartlett & Sons, Agent, 2. Lewis and Dryden’s Marine History of the Pacific Northwest (1895) Pg 361

YP-72 (1943)     The 92 foot wooden ex-seiner Navy patrol boat YP-72 (ex Cavalcade) grounded and was lost February 22, 1943 at Adak Island.  The vessel had been the flagship of the Alaska Patrol before the war.

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

Sources: 1. BOEM Alaska Shipwreck List (2011), 2. Cimorelli.com (2013) “Cavalcade purse seiner”, 3. Shipbuildinghistory.com (2013) “Patrol and Training Craft YP”

 

YP-73 (1945)     The 90 foot District patrol craft YP-73 ( ex Corsair) ran aground 1000 yards east of Spruce Cape signal station and sank January 15, 1945. The U S Coast Guard tender Bittersweet (WAG-389) rescued the survivors.

Mapping and Location: South Central Alaska   57 49 15 N 152 20 W   Chart 16594

Sources: 1. BOEM Alaska Shipwreck List (2011), 2. Shipbuildinghistory.com (2013) “Patrol and Training Craft YP”

 

YP-74 (1942)     The 77 foot ex-seiner Navy patrol boat YP-74 (ex Endeavor) was lost in a collision with the merchant freighter Derblay in the fog September 6, 1942 at Unimak Pass.  The YP-74 was carrying a crew of Sea Bees.  Four were lost.

Mapping and Location: Southwest Alaska   54 20 N 164 50 W   Chart 16011

Sources: 1. BOEM Alaska Shipwreck List (2011), 2. Cimorelli.com (2013) “Cavalcade purse seiner”, 3. Shipbuildinghistory.com (2013) “Patrol and Training Craft YP”

 

YP-88 (1943)     The 75 foot diesel screw Navy patrol boat YP-88 (ex Adventure) grounded and was lost October 28, 1943 off of Cape Amchitka, Amchitka Island.

Mapping and Location: Southwest Alaska   Unknown

Comment: Probably East Cape or Bird Cape.  WG

Sources: 1. BOEM Alaska Shipwreck List (2011), 2. Navsource.org (2013) “YP-88”, 3. Shipbuildinghistory.com (2013) “Patrol and Training Craft YP”

 

YP-94 (1945)     The 82 foot District patrol craft YP-94 (ex Western Chief) ran aground and was abandoned February 23, 1945 in Tugidak Passage.  The vessel was returning from delivering supplies to Chirikof Island.  All hands were rescued by the rescue tug ATR-68.  The YP-94 eventually broke in two and sank.

Mapping and Location: South Central Alaska   56 33 N 154 22 W   Chart 16580

Sources: 1. BOEM Alaska Shipwreck List (2011), 2. Shipbuildinghistory.com (2013) “Patrol and Training Craft YP”

 

YP-95 (1944)     The 80 foot Navy patrol boat YP-95 (ex Nordic Pride) ran aground and sank May 1, 1944 in Beyer Bay, Adak Island.  The vessel was assisting on a minesweeping mission when the loss occurred.

Mapping and Location: Southwest Alaska   51 40 N 176 42 30 W   Chart 16467

Sources: 1. BOEM Alaska Shipwreck List (2011), 2. Shipbuildinghistory.com (2013) “Patrol and Training Craft YP”

 

YR-43 (1945)     The U S Navy diesel auxiliary floating workshop YR-43 broke loose from U S Army tug LT-373 March 28, 1945 and wrecked two and a half miles south of Zaikof Point on Montague Island.  All crewmembers were rescued by the rescue tug ATR-68, U S Coast Guard lighthouse tender Cedar (WGL-207) and U S Coast Guard tender Bramble.

Mapping and Location: South Central Alaska   60 19 N 146 58 W   Chart 16700

Source: BOEM Alaska Shipwreck List (2011)

 

YUCATAN (1910)     The 3,525 ton 336 foot steam screw schooner rigged steel ship Yucatan collided with floating ice and was lost in Icy Strait at 9 a.m. Wednesday February 16, 1910.  The vessel departed Cordova February 13, 1910 bound for Juneau and Seattle with 60 passengers and 84 officers and crewmen aboard.  The following are excerpts from the wreck report filed at Seattle:

“Mud Bay, Icy Straits, Alaska”  “Collision with floating ice and vessel beached”  “Daylight, intermittent snow squalls”  “Proceeding slowly through ice; captain, pilot and 2nd officer on bridge.  Vessel had stopped when current or tide rip carried iceberg against bow, cracking a plate”  “No assistance rendered until after vessel beached, then a fishing boat carried news to Juneau, and S S Georgia was dispatched to wreck for passengers and mail.. Puget Sound Salvage Company salved wreck with S S Santa Cruz”  “Practically no cargo.  Constructive total loss, but hulk floated and now moored at Victoria, B C., awaiting consideration of bids for repairs, which to date appear prohibitive.”

The Yucatan had a value of $260,000 and was insured for $250,000.  There was no loss of life.  The vessel was salvaged, repaired and renamed the Shinkai Maru.  Evidence of this wreck may still be on site and of interest.

Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska   58 11 30 N 135 59 W   Chart 17300

Additional Information: Tonnage 3,525 Gross 2,317 Net, Length 336.2, Breadth 43.2, Depth 22.3, HP 2,600, SL KHNF, Built 1890 at Chester PA, Registered Port Townsend WA, ON 27839, Master WPS Porter of Seattle, Owner Alaska Steamship Company of Seattle (purchased 1906)

Source: U S Customs Wreck Report August 18, 1910 at Seattle by R R Pierson, Supt. Alaska Steamship Company

YUKON (1893)     The steamer Yukon went ashore in a storm at Juneau and was lost November 6, 1893.  The vessel was valued at $1,500 with cargo at the time of the loss.

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

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

YUKON (1913)     The 688 ton 205 foot iron steam ship Yukon stranded and was lost on Sanak Island at 6:54 p.m. Wednesday June 11, 1913.  The vessel departed Goodnews Bay June 10th bound for Seattle with 3 passengers and 42 crewmen.  The only cargo was 300# of electrical material worth $200.  The following are excerpts from the wreck report:

“Sanak Island, Point Petrof”  “Stranding”  “Thick fog”  “Light easterly wind, smooth sea”  “Proceeding at moderate speed using sounding machine frequently”  “U S Revenue Cutter Tahoma took off passengers and crew and conveyed them to Unalaska”  “total loss”

The Yukon had a value of $190,000 and was a total loss along with her cargo.  She was insured for $150,000.  No lives were lost in the disaster.

Mapping and Location: South Central Alaska   54 29 40 N 162 49 45 W   Chart 16547

Additional Information: Tonnage 688, Length 205.4, Breadth 36, Depth 25, Service freight, H P 700, Built 1879 at Philadelphia PA, Registered Portland ME, ON 127271, SL KNMV, Master A McKay of Seattle, Owner Pacific Alaska Navigation Company of Tacoma WA

Source: U S Customs Wreck Report August 11, 1913 by J D Ames, Secretary, Pacific Alaska Navigation Company

YUKON (1946)     The 5,746 ton 360 foot steel passenger steam ship Yukon stranded and was lost February 4, 1946 at Cape Fairfield.  There were 496 men and women aboard including 371 passengers when the disaster occurred.  Included in the passengers were 184 officers and enlisted men from Fort Richardson, 132 service men, 55 civilians and a crew of 125.  Eleven persons were lost including five civilians and six soldiers.  Included in the list of passengers lost were Ralph A. Fitzsimmons (45) manager of the Standard Oil Company branch at Anchorage, James Donovan of Arlington, Washington (his wife was rescued) and John R. Lintner of Indiana. Crew members lost included steward Warren J. Hines (42) of Juneau and cook Ray Smith of Kennydale, Washington. The rescue lasted for three days with seas reaching 40 feet.  The ship was broken up on the jagged rocks at Cape Fairfield. Crewmembers of the steamer were later accused of being drunk and looting the passenger’s effects during the rescue. Days after the disaster an engine room oiler from the Yukon was arrested in Seward when he attempted to sell a pair of earrings to a jeweler in that city. Unfortunately for the oiler, the jeweler recognized that he had custom made that set of earrings for one of the lady passengers of the Yukon. The oiler was promptly arrested. A Federal Grand Jury six weeks later dropped the charges against the oiler and he was released. Subsequent hearings and investigations revealed that there had been incidents of bad behavior during the disaster but the majority of the crew of the Yukon behaved in the best interest of the passengers, some to the point of heroics. The many military passengers were also praised by the civilian passengers for the numerous cases of assistance rendered.

Mapping and Location: South Central Alaska   59 56 N 148 53 W   Chart 16013

Additional Information: Tonnage 5,746 Gross 3,433 Net, Length 360, Breadth 50, Depth 19.9, Built 1899 at Philadelphia PA, Former Names Mexico and Colon, Service passenger, Horsepower 2,000, SL WCCZ, Owner Alaska Steamship Company, Registered Seattle, ON 92936

Sources: 1. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1957) Pg 579, 2. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1958) “Vessels Reported Lost” Pg 779, 3. Alaska Steam (1984) Pgs 100-102, 4. Seattle Times (February 8, 1946) “5 OF 11 LOST ON YUKON NAMED” Pg 14

 

YUKON (1964)     The 40 ton 52 foot wooden oil screw vessel Yukon was reported lost in the Good Friday earthquake of March 27, 1964 at Kodiak.

Mapping and Location: South Central Alaska 57 47 20 N 152 24 10 W   Chart 16580

Additional Information: Tonnage 40 Gross 31 Net, Length 52.6, Breadth 15.2, Depth 7.5, Built 1924 at Seattle WA, Horsepower 190, SL WB9154, Owner James D Cuthbert, Registered Juneau, ON 223661

Sources: 1. Unofficial Wreck List, 2. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1964) Pg 727

 

YUKON (1964)     The fishing vessel Yukon sank August 1, 1964 in Malina Bay near Kodiak.  The crew made it to shore in a raft.

Mapping and Location: South Central Alaska   58 13 N 153 05 W   Chart 16580

Source: BOEM Alaska Shipwreck List (2011)

YVONNE DENISE     The 56 foot purse seiner Yvonne Denise became disabled and was driven onto the rocks October 11, 2005 at Point Alava on Revillagigedo Island southeast of Ketchikan. The three crewmembers of the vessel abandoned ship wearing survival suits. Winds were reported at 50 to 60 miles an hour. Aaron Hudson and Cliff Hudson of Metlakatla and Noah Makua of Saxman were able to swim to a nearby beach where they were rescued by a Coast Guard Sitka Air Station helicopter.

Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska   55 11 30 N 131 11 W   Chart 17420

Additional Information: Tonnage 58 Gross 39 Net, Length 49.2, Breadth 17.5, Depth 9.1, Built 1966 Blaine WA, SL WX6752, ON 504659

Sources: 1. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1979) Pg 1680, 2. Sitnews (October 12, 2005) “Coast Guard aircrew rescues fishermen”

2 Replies to “Alaska Shipwrecks (Y)”

  1. Looking for the ‘Storm Stories’ episode that includes the accident of the Yvonne Denise purse seiner in Alaska in 2005.

    1. YVONNE DENISE The 56 foot purse seiner Yvonne Denise became disabled and was driven onto the rocks October 11, 2005 at Point Alava on Revillagigedo Island southeast of Ketchikan. The three crewmembers of the vessel abandoned ship wearing survival suits. Winds were reported at 50 to 60 miles an hour. Aaron Hudson and Cliff Hudson of Metlakatla and Noah Makua of Saxman were able to swim to a nearby beach where they were rescued by a Coast Guard Sitka Air Station helicopter.
      Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska 55 11 30 N 131 11 W Chart 17420
      Additional Information: Tonnage 58 Gross 39 Net, Length 49.2, Breadth 17.5, Depth 9.1, Built 1966 Blaine WA, SL WX6752, ON 504659
      Sources: 1. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1979) Pg 1680, 2. Sitnews (October 12, 2005) “Coast Guard aircrew rescues fishermen”

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