South East Alaska Shipwrecks ( K )

K #4 (1913)     The 15 ton wood scow K #4 broke loose from her moorings and stranded at N Clock Point,  S.E. Alaska at 3 a.m. July 15, 1913.  She was reported as a total loss, no cargo.  The K #4 was valued at $800 and owned by the Kasaan Co. of Kasaan.  There was no insurance.  Conditions at the time were “heavy S.E. winds, 3 a.m. daylight.”

Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska   Unknown

Additional Information: Tonnage 15, Built Ketchikan 1911, Registered Ketchikan, ON 164447, Master A E Wadhams of Kasaan

Source: U S Customs Wreck Report filed July 15, 1913 by Wadhams

K P NO 2 (1975)     The 62 ton 65 foot wooden barge K P No 2 was lost February 11, 1975 off of Vank Island, 14 miles west of Wrangell.

Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska   56 28 N 132 36 W   Chart 17360

Additional Information: Tonnage 62 Gross and Net, Length 65, Breadth 22.3, Depth 5, Built 1945 at Everett WA, ON 176239

Sources: 1. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1965) Pg 349, 2. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1976) “Vessels Reported Lost” Pg 1870

 

K L (1980)     The fishing vessel K R flooded and sank April 27, 1980 west of Cape Ommaney.  All 14 crewmembers were rescued.

Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska   56 10 N 134 40 20 W   Chart 17320

Source: BOEM Alaska Shipwreck List (2011)

 

K S T NO 1 (1958)     The 63 ton 60 foot wooden scow K S M No 1 foundered December 20, 1958 in Kindricks (Kendrick) Bay.

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

Additional Information: Tonnage 63 Gross and Net, Length 60, Breadth 24, Depth 5.2, Built 1943 at Gig Harbor WA, Owner Island Service Inc., Registered Ketchikan, ON 251060

Sources: 1. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1960) Pg 292, 2. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1961) “Vessels Reported Lost” Pg 861

 

K T (1937)     The 8 ton wooden gas screw K T stranded and foundered two miles west of Lazaria Island in Sitka Sound at 4:00 p.m. Thursday September 9, 1937.  Master and owner Earl B Prim of Sitka was trolling when the accident happened, and the only one aboard.  A line got caught in the propeller with SE winds at 50 miles an hour pushing heavy seas.  Prim “tried to clear rope in propeller, also drop anchor but line broke.”  The vessel was a total loss with no insurance.  The value of the K T was $1,000.

Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska   57 N 135 30 W   Chart 17326

Comment: Unable to locate Lazaria Island mentioned in casualty report. WG

Additional Information: Tonnage 8 Gross 6 Net, Age 25 years, Registered Sitka, ON 232136, Last Port Sitka September 8, 1937

Source: U S Coast Guard Report of Casualty filed September 11, 1937 at Sitka by Prim

K T (1990)     The 65 foot wooden converted ferry fishing vessel K T became disabled, flooded and sank March 9, 1990 at McLean Point.  All three crewmembers were rescued by the tug Simpson.

Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska   54 47 30 N 131 57 15 W   Chart 17420

Additional Information: 222253

Source: BOEM Alaska Shipwreck List (2011)

 

K V KRUSE (1941)     The 240 foot Canadian log barge K V Kruse stranded and was lost January 28, 1941 in Cordova Bay east of Long Island.  The former five masted schooner broke loose in foul weather from the tug LaPoint January 26th while on a trip to pick up airplane spruce (for building airplanes) in the Queen Charlotte Islands.  She drifted 125 miles north and was discovered wrecked by the U S Coast Guard in early February.

Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska   54 56 N 132 38 W   Chart 17420

Source: BOEM Alaska Shipwreck List (2011)

 

KAISEI MARU (1909)     The Japanese sealing ship Kaisei Maru was seized for illegal seal hunting in 1909 or 1910 and impounded in Sealing Cove on Japonski Island.  The vessel slowly became waterlogged and sank in about 1918.  Pieces of the vessel were dredged up when the current boat harbor was constructed.

Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska   57 03 N 135 22 W   Chart 17326

Sources: 1. Shipwrecks of the Alaskan Shelf and Shore (1992), 2. BOEMRE Alaska Shipwreck List (2011)

KALITAN (2002)     The 38 foot troller Kalitan burned to the waterline August 24, 2002 at Hidden Falls Hatchery in Kasnyku Bay on Baranof Island.  All three crewmen evacuated safely.  The blaze was attributed to a turbocharger igniting a stack fire.

Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska   57 13 N 134 52 30 W   Chart 17320

Additional Information: ON 507267

Source: U S C G Enforcement Report (August 24, 2002)

 

KANAGA (1946)     The 60 ton 61 foot wooden oil screw fishing vessel Kanaga stranded and was lost 6 miles south of Sitka on July 27, 1946.

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

Additional Information: Tonnage 60 Gross 47 Net, Length 61.6, Breadth 16.5, Depth 8.1, Built 1925 at Tacoma WA, Crew 10, Horsepower 120, Owner Severin Tynes, Registered Ketchikan, ON 224427

Sources: 1. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1946) Pg 256, 2. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1947) “Vessels Reported Lost” Pg 823

KANATEE (1990)     The 38 foot fishing vessel Kanatee flooded and was abandoned September 13, 1990 at Beauchamp Island southeast of Sitka.  The two crewmembers from the vessel took a skiff to the beach and were later rescued by a U S Coast Guard Helicopter.

Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska   56 43 N 134 14 W   Chart 17326

Source: BOEM Alaska Shipwreck List (2011)

 

KAP VELALUKA (1939)     The 12 ton gas screw fishing vessel Kap Velaluka caught fire and was destroyed at 6:50 a.m. Sunday August 20, 1939 in Murder Cove.  The vessel had a crew of five with Frank Paul of Sitka as master.  They had departed Tabenkof Bay bound for Tyee August 18, 1939.  Paul, a man from the company rigging scow and boats Buddy, Brac and Jim assisted in trying to put out the flames but the fire got beyond control.  The crew all escaped, but the Kap Velaluka, worth $2,000 was a total loss.

Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska   57 02 30 N 134 32 30 W   Chart 17320

Additional Information: Tonnage 12 Gross, Built 1914, Registered Ketchikan, ON 212153, Owner Sebastian Stuart Fish Co of Seattle, Vessel Insurance $1,750, Cargo none

Source: U S Coast Guard Report of Casualty filed by H A Stephawes for Sebastian Stuart Fish Co on February 21, 1940.

 

KAREN LEE (1990)     The 58 foot steel salmon gillnetter Karen Lee capsized suddenly and sank August 19, 1990 in Chatham Strait off of Peninsular Point.  All seven crewmembers were rescued by the fishing vessel Polar Lady.

Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska   57 30 30 N 134 50 W   Chart 17320

Additional Information: ON 524565

Source: BOEM Alaska Shipwreck List (2011)

 

KASILOF (1992)     The 65 foot wooden fishing vessel Kasilof drug anchor, grounded and sank November 4, 1992 near Baranof Island.  The vessel had been anchored behind Gauntlet Island off Cape Cross as winds increased to 50 knots from the northeast. When the wind direction shifted to westerly the vessel swung around and was holed by rocks near her stern and began flooding.  The sole occupant of the vessel abandoned ship to a canoe and the Kasilof sank less than five minutes later.

Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska   56 45 N 135 10 W   Chart 17320

Additional Information: Tonnage 66 Gross 45 Net, Length 65.2, Breadth 16.2, Depth 9, Built 1935 at Seattle WA, ON 233712

Sources: 1. U S C G Shipwreck List (1989-2004), 2. Michael Burwell Shipwreck List (2013), 3. USCG MISLE Case # 50138

 

KATHERINE T (1957)     The 13 ton 34 foot wooden gas screw fishing vessel Katherine T foundered March 9, 1957 at Anchor Pass near Bell Island.

Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska   55 59 N 131 24 W   Chart 17420

Additional Information: Tonnage 13 Gross 9 Net, Length 34.7, Breadth 9.9, Depth 5.2, Built 1912 at Austin WA, Former Name Serelda, Horsepower 110, Owner Benjamin B Ruhland, Registered Ketchikan, ON 210593

Sources: 1. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1957) Pg 277, 2. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1958) “Vessels Reported Lost” Pg 778

 

KATHI R (1980)     The oil screw Kathi R foundered August 27, 1980 eight miles off of the Kekur Peninsula on Baranof Island.

Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska   56 23 N 134 56 W  Chart 17320

Source: BOEM Alaska Shipwreck List (2011)

 

KATHLEEN DIANE (1988)     The 56 foot fishing vessel Kathleen Diane capsized after unloading her catch to a processing vessel August 1, 1988 off the west coast of Dall Island.  All six crewmembers abandoned ship to a life raft.  They were picked up by a passing fishing vessel and transported to Ketchikan.

Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska   54 57 N 133 W   Chart 17400

Source: BOEM Alaska Shipwreck List (2011)

 

KATY TOO (1987)     The 30 foot fishing vessel Katy Too was intentionally grounded and lost April 4, 1987 in Icy Strait.

Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska   58 18 N 134 45 W   Chart 17300

Source: BOEM Alaska Shipwreck List (2011)

 

KAY (1972)     The gas screw Kay burned January 11, 1972 at Pennock Island, Ketchikan.

Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska   55 19 40 N 131 37 45 W   Chart 17420

Source: BOEM Alaska Shipwreck List (2011)

 

KELSEY DAWN (2004)     The 38 foot troller Kelsey Dawn struck a rock coming into Canoe Passage and sank November 5, 2004 at the east entrance to Sergius Narrows in Peril Strait.  All four persons on board abandoned ship to a skiff and made it safely to the beach.

Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska   57 24 20 N 135 38 W   Chart 17323

Additional Information: Length 38.3, Built 1978, ON 603506, Call Sign WYC9927

Sources: 1. USCG Enforcement Report (November 5, 2004), 2. USCG MISLE Case # 208729

 

KENAI (1974)     The refrigerated barge Kenai broke away from her towing vessel in a storm October 15, 1974 and sank in 20 fathoms of water off Snipe Bay south of Sitka.  The barge was hauling fertilizer for the Pacific Northwest.

Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska   56 25 N 134 57 W   Chart 17320

Source: BOEM Alaska Shipwreck List (2011)

 

KENUDY (1948)     The 11 ton 32 foot wooden gas screw fishing vessel Kenudy foundered July 4, 1948 one and one half miles off Tolstoy Point in Clarence Strait.

Mapping and Location:  Southeast Alaska   55 40 10 N 132 23 10 W   Chart 17420

Additional Information:  Tonnage 11 Gross 9 Net, Length 32.3, Breadth 11, Depth 3.6, Built 1945 at Edmonds WA, Horsepower 75, Owner Henry H Swanhause, Registered Seattle WA, ON 248072

Sources: 1. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1949) Pg 287, 2. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1950) “Vessels Reported Lost” Pg 926

 

KETA (1974)     The 7 ton gas water jet Keta was consumed by fire during August of 1974 at Haines.

Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska   59 14 10 N 135 26 15 W   Chart 17300

Additional Information: Tonnage 7 Gross, Built 1972, ON 539396

Source: Merchant Vessels of the U S (1976) “Vessels Reported Lost” Pg 1870

 

KETCHUM (1931)     The 8 ton gas screw Ketchum stranded on a rock at 3:30 p.m. Saturday October 17, 1931 a mile and a half north of Wedge Island in Clarence Strait.  The vessel departed Ketchikan bound for Dolomi October 16, 1931 carrying a cargo of one ton of household furniture worth $250.00.  Owner and master of the Ketchum, Tom Stevens of Ketchikan gave the following accounting of the loss:

“Calm and daylight when vessel first anchored – storm later.”  “1 ½ N. Wdge Isl. Clarence Straits…stranding then broke up on beach in storm.”  “Vessel broke anchor, hit rock, then storm blew it ashore.”  “When vessel broke anchor and stranded on rock two anchors were put out to hold it.  Storm arose later and before anything could be done the vessel was blown off the rocks and dashed to pieces on the beach.”

The Ketchum was worth $2,000 at the time of the casualty and had no insurance.

Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska   55 09 N 131 58 W   Chart 17420

Additional Information: Tonnage 8 Gross 5 Net, Built 1913, Registration Ketchikan, ON 211166

Source: U S Coast Guard Report of Casualty filed at Ketchikan by Stevens October 24, 1931

 

KILLARNEY (1918)     The 13 ton wooden gas screw Killarney left Petersburg December 21, 1918 with three souls aboard bound for Thomas Bay and was never seen again.  Lost when the Killarney disappeared, were owner and master H Van Vlack of Olympia and crewmen Robert Dorsey and E Sakagami.  The following are excerpts from the casualty report filed by George Van Vlack, Administrator of the Estate for H Van Vlack:

“Vessel left Petersburg at 3 p.m. December 21st for our cannery at Thomas Bay.  Searchers found anchor buoyed with empty can crates on Thomas Bay Bar off Wood Point. One box apples and hatch cover found near Faragut Bay. Believed vessel struck ice or rock off Wood Point and was disabled and forced to anchor. Heavy sea on bar prevented landing and that they left anchorage as last resort hoping to drift across to Vanderput Pt. but foundered in Frederick Sound. Bodies unrecovered.”  “strong S.E. wind/ believed vessel anchored about 5 p.m.  Wind increased to gale during night.”

The Killarney was valued at $4,000 at the time of the disaster and had no insurance.  She had a cargo of approximately 5 tons of salt, coal, cans and groceries valued at $500 also uninsured.

Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska   57 00 30 N 132 59 W   Chart 17367

Additional Information: Tonnage 13 Gross 8 Net, Age 5 years, Registered at Tacoma Washington, ON 211235.

Source: U S Coast Guard Report of Casualty filed February 10, 1919 at Seattle

KIM (1974)     The oil screw Kim stranded and was lost September 9, 1974 at Glacier Point near Haines.

Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska   59 06 10 N 135 22 45 W   Chart 17300

Source: BOEM Alaska Shipwreck List (2011)

 

KIMBALL (1959)     The 20 ton 37 foot wooden gas screw Kimball was consumed by fire during 1959 in Knudson Cove.

Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska   55 28 30 N 131 48 W   Chart 17420

Additional Information: Tonnage 20 Gross 18 Net, Length 37.7, Breadth 12.4, Depth 3.2, Built 1932 at Olympia WA, Horsepower 100, Service freight, Owner L H Ingman, Registered Ketchikan, ON 231810

Sources: 1. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1965) Pg 358, 2. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1968) “Vessels Reported Lost” Pg 1169

 

KING #1 (1926)     An explosion destroyed the 8 ton gas screw King #1 while at anchor in Green Island Harbor at 10:30 a.m. January 15, 1926.  Captain Louis Dahl and crewman George F McDonald had left Latouche January 8, 1926 for a round trip to Fox Island / Green Island.  When the explosion happened a week later the vessel had 500 lbs. of cargo aboard, listed as foxes and gas with a value of $1,000.  The following are statements from the wreck report filed by crewman McDonald:

“Green Island Harbor, at anchor.”  “Explosion…due to accumulation of gas fumes over night in closed cabin. Explosion occurred while lighting stove.”  “Cabin door and porthole open at time of explosion.”  “Crew went ashore in dory, thence to Latouche for first aid.”

The King #1 was valued at $3,000 and had no insurance on the vessel or her cargo.  She was owned by the Green Island Blue Fox Corporation of Cordova

Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska   60 15 N 147 28 30 W   Chart 16701

Additional Information: Tonnage 8 Gross 6 Net, Built 1920, Registered Cordova, ON 219856

Source: U S Coast Guard Report of Casualty filed at Cordova by McDonald

KING FISHER (1942)     The 16 ton 38 foot wooden gas screw fishing vessel King Fisher foundered June 3, 1942 near Lazarri Island (Saint Lazaria Island) off of Cape Edgecumbe, Kruzof Island Sitka Sound.

Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska   56 59 45 N 135 51 W   Chart 17320

Sources: 1. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1943) “Vessels Reported Lost” Pg 755, 2. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1942) Pg 186

KING FISHER (1942)     The 16 ton 38 foot wooden gas screw halibut schooner King Fisher foundered June 4, 1942 near Pilot Point five miles off of Lazaroff Island.  Owner and master Harold Heinz of Seattle was rescued by a Navy patrol craft but three others were lost; Pat Hughes of Ketchikan, John Herman of Sitka and Dan Odair.

Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska   56 59 15 N 135 42 W   Chart 17320

Additional Information: Tonnage 16 Gross 13 Net, Length 38.1, Breadth11.4, Depth 6.4, Built 1927 at Seattle WA, Crew 2, Horsepower 20, Owner Harold Hines, Registered Ketchikan, ON 226694

Sources: 1. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1945) “Vessels Reported Lost” Pg 776, 2. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1944) Pg 207, 3. Seattle Daily Times (June 6, 1942) “Boat Swamped; 1 Dies, 2 Missing” Pg 10

KINGSTON (1933)     The 171 ton 98 foot wooden diesel powered steam trading vessel Kingston wrecked in Whitestone Narrows 16 miles NW of Sitka May 20, 1933.  The 12 persons aboard made it to safety.

Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska   57 14 50 N 135 33 45 W   Chart 17324

Additional Information: Tonnage 171 Gross 116 Net, Length 98, Breadth 24.5, Depth 6.7, Built 1901 at Tacoma WA, Formerly steam ship Defiance, Service passenger, Horsepower 300, Owner Washington Route, Registered Seattle, ON 157607

Sources: 1. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1933) “Vessels Reported Lost” Pg 990, 2. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1932) Pgs 108-9, 3. The H W McCurdy Marine History of the Pacific Northwest (1966) Pg 425

KIOWA (1978)     The 72 foot wooden Samson Tug and Barge Company tug Kiowa foundered October 30, 1978 in Herring Bay, Frederick Sound. The vessel had been damaged in a storm the day before and was towed to Admiralty Island Inlet, Herring Bay by sister tug Calumet. The Kiowa sank in 30 feet of water. There was no loss of life. The tugs had been towing rafts of logs to Wrangell when foul weather broke up the booms and scattered the logs.

Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska   57 07 N 134 22 W   Chart 17320

Comment: Salvage attempts were being considered. WG

Additional Information: Tonnage 54 Gross, 37 Net, Length 72, Breadth 17.3, Depth 7.1, Built 1895 at San Francisco CA, ON 81501, Former Name Foss No 19, Vessel Value $80,000

Sources: 1. BOEM Alaska Shipwreck List (2011), 2. Sitka Daily Sentinel (November 1, 1978) “Samson Tug Kiowa Sinks Off Admiralty” Pg 1, Merchant Vessels of the U S (1979) Pg. 763

 

KISKA (1948)     The 48 ton 59 foot wooden oil screw fishing vessel Kiska was lost after colliding with the gas screw Mayflower on July 24, 1948 at the entrance to south Kaigani Harbor on Dall Island.

Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska   54 45 30 N 132 43 W   Chart 17400

Additional Information: Tonnage 48 Gross 33 Net, Length 59.6, Breadth 15.2, Depth 7.7, Built 1917 at Tacoma WA, Crew 8, Horsepower 120, SL WA6841, Owner Gerald M Oaksmith, Registered Ketchikan, ON 214852

Sources: 1. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1950) Pg 291, 2. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1951) “Vessels Reported Lost” Pg 938

 

KITTY BEAR (1976)     The 12 ton 34 foot wooden oil screw fishing vessel Kitty Bear foundered April 5, 1976 in Clarence Strait.

Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska   54 45 N 131 42 W   Chart 16016

Additional Information: Tonnage 12 Gross 10 Net, Length 34.2, Breadth 9.7, Depth 4.9, Built Unknown, ON 248576

Sources: 1. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1965) Pg 361, 2. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1978) “Vessels Reported Lost” Pg 2118

 

KIVALINA (1980)     The tug Kivalina disappeared April 19, 1980 between Georgia Strait, British Columbia and Ketchikan.

Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska   Unknown

Source: BOEM Alaska Shipwreck List (2011)

 

KONG SVERRE (1918)     The 23 ton wooden gas screw fishing vessel Kong Sverre stranded and was lost at the N.E. point of Warren Island at 5 a.m. Monday January 28, 1915.  The vessel departed Craig January 25, 1918 bound for Hood Bay.  She had a 6 person crew with Clifford Kelly of Friday Harbor, WA as master.  The Kong Sverre was carrying 15 tons of lumber and provisions valued at $500.  The following are statements made by Kelly on the casualty report:

“N.E. point Warren Island…Stranding…Engine failed.”  “N.E. gale, dark, clear, heavy seas.”  “Anchor run and set with weights.”  “S.S. Redondo took one man for help to Craig, Alaska.”  “Engine removed apparel removed vessel.”  “Dismanteled and abandoned.”

The Kong Sverre was valued at $6,000 at the time of the loss.  The  losses listed on the casualty report ate $500 on the vessel and $50 on the cargo.  She was insured for only $1,000.

Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska   55 53 N 133 53 W   Chart 17400

Additional Information: Tonnage 23 Gross 15 Net, Age 6 years, Registered Ketchikan, ON 209849, Owner W F Reichmeine of Klawock

Source: U S Customs Report of Casualty filed at Wrangell February 20, 1918

 

KRISTEN (1984)     The fishing vessel Kristen was consumed by fire and sank January 1, 1984 off of Esther Island Light.

Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska   57 50 45 N 136 26 W   Chart 17303

Comment: There are two Esther Island Lights, one in Prince William Sound and one at the south end of Lisianski Strait.  I used the latter as it seemed more likely.  WG

Source: BOEM Alaska Shipwreck List (2011)

 

KUPREANOF (2015)     The 73 foot steel trawler Kupreanof flooded and sank near Lituya Bay June 10, 2015. The crew abandoned ship in survival suits to a life raft and were rescued by an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from Air Station Sitka.

Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska   58 36 45 N 137 39 30 W   Chart 16016

Additional Information: Tonnage 137 Gross 93 Net, Length 73, Breadth 22.5, Depth 11.9, Built 1975 Freeport TX, ON 562486, Call Sign WYU9047, Former Name Lancer

Sources: 1. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1979) Pgs 771 & 1926, 2. USCG 17th District News Release (June 10, 2015) “Coast Guard rescues 4 from sinking vessel near Lituya Bay, Alaska”, 3. ADN Alaska News (June 10, 2015) 4 men rescued from sinking Alaska fishing boat”

 

KVINGO (1987)     The 38 foot halibut fishing vessel Kvingo foundered in high winds and seas May 5, 1987 off of northwest Coronation Island south of Sitka.  Both crewmembers were rescued by the U S Coast Guard.

Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska   55 53 N 134 14 W   Chart 17400

Source: BOEM Alaska Shipwreck List (2011)

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