O M ARNOLD (1939) The 67 foot 74 ton wooden oil screw O M Arnold foundered during a storm in Chatham Strait at 11:20 a.m. Friday August 18, 1939. The vessel departed Chatham August 17th bound for Noyes Island with 8 crewmen aboard. George Lee of Seattle, master of the O M Arnold, his father Andrew Lee of Angoon and Ernest Kruse of Juneau were lost in the disaster. Survivors included Otto Waage formerly of Greenbush MN, Knut Solbick of Juneau, Ed Megard of Arlington WA and W H Meeker of Bremerton WA. The vessel was struck by a tremendous wave and foundered a half mile off Timbered Islets loaded with 60 tons of fresh salmon worth $1,800. Only five of the crewmen made it to safety. The O M Arnold was valued at $20,000.
Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska 55 41 45 N 133 48 W Chart 17400
Additional Information: Tonnage 74 Gross, Length 67.1, Breadth 17.5, Depth 9.4, Built 1927 at Seattle, Registered Seattle, ON 226486, Master George Lee of Seattle, Owner New England Fish Co of Portland OR, Vessel Insurance $20,000, Cargo Insurance none
Sources: 1. U S Coast Guard Report of Casualty August 23, 1939 at Seattle by NEFCO of Oregon, 2. Seattle Daily Times (August 21, 1939) “Survivors Tell of Shipwreck” Pg 11, 3. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1939) Pg 238
OAKLAND (1912) The 146 ton 103 foot wooden gas steamer Oakland stranded and was lost at the entrance to Dry Bay just before noon October 23, 1912. The vessel had just departed Dry Bay bound for Seattle with eleven crewmen aboard. She was carrying a 125 ton cargo of canned salmon and supplies as well as a deck load of empty oil drums. The Saint Elias Packing Company was operating the vessel having contracted to purchase it from the Alaska Steamship Company. The wreck report attributes the disaster to a moderate gale and heavy snowstorm. No lives were lost, but the Oakland, valued at $20,000 and her cargo, worth $9,475 were total losses. The vessel was insured for $15,000 and her cargo for $9475.
Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska 59 08 N 138 25 W Chart 16016
Additional Information: Tonnage 146 Gross 117 Net, Built 1905 at Marshfield OR, Length 103, Breadth 24., Depth 7.8, Registered Port Townsend WA, ON 202085, Master R A Leonard of Vancouver
Source: U S Customs Wreck Report June 13, 1913 at Puget Sound by R R Piesom, Supt.
OAKLAND (1939) The 18 ton wooden gas screw Oakland foundered near Cape Chacon at 6 p.m. April 29, 1939. The vessel had departed Hydaburg with five crewmen aboard bound for Ketchikan. The following are excerpts from the casualty report of Willis Bell, master of the Oakland:
“500 feet S E Cape Chacon, Alaska” “Strong breeze, drizzle, heavy sea, twilight” “heavy seas and tide rips caused bottom planks to spring” “Used pumps and cans for bailing” “Foundering” “Vessel drifted around Cape Chacon and managed to get skiff overboard and all made shore in skiff. Built fire on beach and one member of crew proceeded along shore to McLeans Arm for help. Ga. S. Reliance picked up rest of crew May 1. USCG Alert went to McLeans Arm and brought other member of crew to Ketchikan the morning of May 2, 1939.” “Total loss”
The Oakland was valued at $3,500 and had no insurance.
Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska 54 41 30 N 132 00 50 W Chart 16016
Additional Information: Tonnage 18 Gross 14 Net, Built 1927, Registered Ketchikan, ON 226853, Master Willis Bell of Hydaburg, Owner Peter Bell of Hydaburg
Source: U S C G Report of Casualty May 2, 1939 at Ketchikan
OAXACA (1998) The 36 foot crab fishing vessel Oaxaca grounded and was lost February 15, 1998 in Glacier Bay. Both crewmembers made it to safety.
Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska 58 22 N 136 W Chart 17300
Additional Information: ON AK7053C
Sources: 1. U S C G Shipwreck List (1989-2004), 2. Michael Burwell Shipwreck List (2013)
OBAN (2005) The 41 foot seiner Oban grounded and was lost March 23, 2005 on the northwest corner of Duke Island approximately 10 miles south of Annette Island. Both persons on board abandoned ship to a Metlakatla Fire Department skiff that transferred them to the Good Samaritan Vessel Skip Jack. They were transported to Ketchikan where they began efforts to mitigate pollution and possibly salvage the Oban.
Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska 54 55 N 131 20 W Chart 17420
Additional Information: Length 41.7, Vessel ID AK0225R
Sources: 1. A D E C Situation Report (March 24, 2005) “F/V Oban”, 2. USCG MISLE Case # 226813
OCEAN HOME (1990) The 46 foot fiberglass longline fishing vessel Ocean Home was consumed by fire from an oil stove May 1, 1990 at Cape Spencer. All four crewmembers abandoned ship to a skiff and were rescued by the U S Coast Guard Cutter Naushon.
Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska 58 12 45 N 136 39 30 W Chart 16016
Additional Information: ON 617885
Source: BOEM Alaska Shipwreck List (2011)
OCEAN PACIFIC (1989) The 166 foot steel salmon processor Ocean Pacific capsized and sank in 22 fathoms of water August 12, 1989 at her mooring in Tongass Narrows. There was no loss of life. All 68 people aboard were evacuated to a fishing vessel nearby before the Ocean Pacific sank. Lost with the vessel were 200,000 pounds of processed and frozen pink salmon and 120,000 pounds of pink salmon in refrigerated seawater. A transfer of ballast water to compensate for a list, caused fish in the tank to shift allowing water to flood in from a discharge line eventually causing the vessel to capsize. The Ocean Pacific was built during WWII as a motorized barge, had served as a private yacht in New Orleans and ended her career as a seafood processing vessel.
Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska 55 22 N 131 43 W Chart 17420
Additional Information: Tonnage 580 Gross 401 Net, Length 166.5, Breadth 32.0, Depth 15, Built 1945 Duluth MN, ON 587265, Former Names Hallelujah, YW114 USN, SL WYB6183
Sources: 1. BOEM Alaska Shipwreck List (2011), 2. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1979) Pg 609, 3. Daily Sitka Sentinel (August 28, 1989) “Crew Error May be to Blame in Ship Sinking” Pg 4
OCEAN SUNRISE (2001) The 42 foot shrimp fishing vessel Ocean Sunrise sank after taking on water in high seas October 28, 2001 in Cholmondeley Sound, 19 miles west of Ketchikan. Robert Hanscomb and his wife Terisa were on board when the disaster occurred. The Ocean Sunrise was loaded with 134 shrimp pots on deck and six 55 gallon drums of heating oil below deck. A large gust of wind flipped the Ocean Sunrise over and she sank about 30 minutes later. After the vessel sunk, Terisa clung to wreckage and was rescued by the fishing vessel Nina Fay but Robert was lost. The U S Coast Guard and fishing vessel Rio Grande also responded to the Ocean Sunrise May-Day but were unable to revive Mr. Hanscomb after retrieving him from the water.
Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska 55 17 N 132 04 W Chart 17420
Additional Information: ON 541029, Call Sign WZV6813
Sources: 1. USCG News Release (October 28, 2001) “Coast Guard, Good Samaritan save woman, skipper parishes”, 2. USCG MISLE Case # 983904
OCEANIC (1926) The 11 ton wooden gas screw Oceanic broke loose from her moorings at Metlakatla and stranded in Sylvan (Sylburn) Harbor during the night of December 15, 1926. There was no one aboard at the time. The wind was high and from the southeast when the disaster occurred. The Oceanic was valued at $2,000 and became a total loss. There was no insurance.
Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska 55 12 N 131 36 W Chart 17434
Additional Information: Tonnage 11 Gross 7 Net, Built 1909, Registered Ketchikan, ON 206584, Master Everett C Hudson of Metlakatla, Owner John Hudson of Metlakatla
Source: U S Coast Guard Report of Casualty March 24, 1930 by John Hudson at Ketchikan
OCEANIC (1996) The 48 foot shrimp fishing vessel Oceanic flooded and sank December 12, 1996 approximately 23 nautical miles southwest of Craig. Kent Worth and Tara Jock were plucked from the water by a U S Coast Guard helicopter. The third crewmember of the Oceanic, Thomas Dowd, was lost. Dowd was located by the chopper, but was unconscious in a half filled survival suit which could not be lifted into the helicopter which was running short of fuel. Winds were blowing at 35 knots with seas to 20 feet.
Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska 55 28 30 N 133 09 W Chart 17400
Additional Information: ON 229334
Sources: 1. U S C G Shipwreck List (1989-2004), 2. Michael Burwell Shipwreck List (2013), 3. Sitka Daily Sentinel (December 13, 1996) “Two Rescued, One Lost After Fishing Boat Sinks”
ODIN (1958) The 19 ton 39 foot wooden gas screw fishing vessel Odin burned March 2, 1958 at Petersburg.
Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska 56 48 10 N 132 58 W Chart 17360
Additional Information: Tonnage 19 Gross 13 Net, Length 39.5, Breadth 12.1, Depth 4.6, Built 1914 at Seattle WA, Horsepower 140, SL WH8112, Owner Louis G Severson, Registered Wrangell, ON 212838
Sources: 1. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1958) Pg 293, 2. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1959) “Vessels Reported Lost” Pg 802
ODUNO (1939) The gas powered salmon fishing vessel Oduno is reported as having been lost off Noyes Island while engaged in fishing in 1939. All 12 crewmen were lost.
Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska 55 41 45 N 133 48 W Chart 17400
Comment: There are similarities between this wreck and the O M Arnold (1939). WG
Source: 1. The H W McCurdy Marine History of the Pacific Northwest (1966) Pg 475, 2. Shipwrecks of the Alaskan Shelf and Shore (1992)
OHIO (1898) The schooner Ohio went adrift from Port Simpson, British Columbia in December of 1898. A strong gale hit and set the vessel adrift from her place of anchorage. The Ohio drifted and eventually ran aground on a reef off of a small uninhabited island near the south end of Revillagigedo Channel. The crew lived on seaweed and mussels for a week before they were found by Natives. They later returned to Port Simpson. The vessel was a total loss.
Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska 54 48 N 131 06 W Chart 17434
Source: Shipwrecks of the Alaskan Shelf and Shore (1992)
OLE II (1947) The 8 ton 32 foot wooden gas screw fishing vessel Ole II burned in Union Bay August 8, 1947.
Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska 55 46 N 132 13 W Chart 17400
Additional Information: Tonnage 8 Gross 5 Net, Length 31.9, Breadth 8.9, Depth 4.2, Built 1919 at Cape Edwards, Crew 8, Horsepower 20, Owner Nakat Packing Corp., Registered Ketchikan, ON 225378
Sources: 1. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1947) Pg 378, 2. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1948 “Vessels Reported Lost” Pg 862
OLGA (1927) The 8 ton wooden gas screw Olga stranded and was lost in Lynn Canal at 7:00 p.m. July 19, 1927. The vessel departed Juneau that day with three crewmen aboard to fish for halibut. The following are excerpts from the casualty report;
“N.W. end Hump Isld, Lynn Canal” “good weather, daylight” “Broken steering gear” “Stranding” “Strong tide running and engine failed allowing vessel to drift on beach. Six lines put ashore and stern anchor failed to hold vessel upright and she tilled on the following tide” “Vessel pounded badly after stranding in exposed position”
The Olga was valued at $3,000 and reported as a total loss. There was fishing gear and personal effects aboard worth $700, some of which were salvaged. The vessel was insured for $2,000.
Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska 58 27 30 N 134 59 W Chart 17300
Additional Information: Tonnage 8 Gross 6 Net, Built 1913, Registered Juneau, ON 211093, Master and Owner O C Oberg of Juneau
Source: U S C G Report of Casualty July 23, 1927 at Juneau by Oberg
OLIVUS (2000) The 35 foot wooden salmon troller Olivus flooded and sank in a dense fog at 11 p.m. August 28, 2000 near Helm Bay, northwest of Ketchikan. Only one of the two crewmembers survived.
Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska 55 36 N 131 55 W Chart 17420
Additional Information: ON 241441, Built 1942, Former name Clara B
Sources: 1. U S C G Shipwreck List (1989-2004), 2. Michael Burwell Shipwreck List (2013)
OLYMPIC (1936) The 12 ton wooden gas screw Olympic drug anchor and washed ashore in Sitka Harbor at 10:00 a.m. Thursday October 15, 1936. There was a strong northerly wind and not much sea. George Hobson, master and owner of the Olympic, said in his casualty report:
‘Got to vessel too late to do anything, went on rocks and part of side gone when we arrived.” “Total loss”
The Olympic was valued at $500 and had no insurance.
Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska 57 03 15 N 135 21 W Chart 17327
Additional Information: Tonnage 12 Gross 8 Net, Age 19 years, Registered Sitka, ON 216480
Source: U S Coast Guard Report of Casualty June 22, 1937 at Sitka by Hobson
ORCAS (1999) The 65 foot wooden derelict fishing vessel Orcas flooded and sank October 31, 1999 in Thompson Harbor, Sitka. No one was aboard at the time of the sinking.
Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska 57 03 N 135 20 W Chart 17320
Additional Information: ON 251386
Sources: 1. U S C G Shipwreck List (1989-2004), 2. Michael Burwell Shipwreck List (2013)
OREGON CITY (1922) The 23 ton wooden power sloop Oregon City was destroyed by fire at 2:00 p.m. Friday November 10, 1922 at Warm Springs Bay. The vessel departed Evans Bay November 3rd bound for Tacoma, Washington with seven crewmen aboard. She had four tons of herring aboard worth $500. The following are excerpts from the casualty report:
“Warm Springs Bay, Alaska” “Day light, good weather” “Backfire of engine” “Flames too far advanced to prevent catching of oil tanks. Crew taken on board Monitor.” “Total loss”
The Oregon City, valued at $6,000, was a total loss along with her cargo. The crew made it to safety aboard the gas boat Monitor.
Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska 57 05 N 134 47 W Chart 17320
Additional Information: Tonnage 23 Gross 17 Net, Age 9 years, Registered Seattle, ON 211365, Master A B Andrewson of Gig Harbor WA, Owner Nick Begnolinevich of Gig Harbor WA, Vessel Insurance $6,000, Cargo Insurance $465
Source: U S Coast Guard Report of Casualty November 23, 1922 at Seattle by Begnolinevich
OREGON WOLF (1954) The 48 ton 58 foot wooden oil screw Oregon Wolf foundered September 25, 1954 about three miles east of Turnabout Island in Frederick Sound.
Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska 57 07 30 N 133 58 40 W Chart 17360
Additional Information: Tonnage 48 Gross 32 Net, Length 58.6, Breadth 15.3, Depth 7.3, Built 1917 at Tacoma WA, Service freight, Crew 6, Horsepower 75, Owner O L Grimes, Registered Juneau, ON 214910
Sources: 1. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1952) Pg 426, 2. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1955) “Vessels Reported Lost” Pg 740
ORION (1960) The 23 ton 43 foot wooden oil screw fishing vessel Orion disappeared October 8, 1960 on a voyage from Hydaburg to Ketchikan. Clarence Sims was the only person aboard.
Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska 55 12 20 N 132 49 28 W Chart 16016
Additional Information: Tonnage 23 Gross 18 Net, Length 42.9, Breadth 12.4, Depth 5, Built 1926 at Metlakatla, Horsepower 45, SL WB7614, Owner Floyd Frank, Registered Ketchikan, ON 225986
Sources: 1. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1960) Pg 434, 2. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1962) “Vessels Reported Lost” Pg 904, 3. The Seattle Times (October 17, 1960) “Fishing Vessel Orion Sought” Pg 18
OSO (1978) The troller Oso drug anchor in a winter storm, struck a rock and sank December 30, 1978 off of the west coast of Chichagof Island near White Sulfur Springs. “Oso” Pete Liadol was the only one aboard and made it to shore in a skiff. He took shelter in a cabin and lived on clams until rescued five weeks later by the fishing vessel Midnight Charger.
Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska 57 48 25 N 136 20 45 W Chart 17321
Comment: Appears to be same boat and person as Oso (1936). WG
Source: BOEM Alaska Shipwreck List (2011)
OSPREY (1936) The 12 ton 41 foot wooden gas screw power seiner Osprey was lost in San Alberto Bay between Prince of Wales Island and San Fernando Island August 27, 1936 after a collision with the gas boat Leba. The Osprey had departed Klawok that day bound for Point San Francisco on Noyes Island with 5 crewmen and one boy aboard. The following are excerpts from the wreck report filed by George S James:
“Moonlight few stars out calm, it was a dark night” “Course of Osprey W by N” “Collision Leba Craig, Alaska” “Pilot was confused did not understand signals as he did not answer Osprey’s whistle” “Gave two whistles then see they are heading for us. We turned for the shore” “No assistance was rendered, we had a small life boat in which we rowed over to the Leba” “Arthur and Kimbert Demmert were badly burned, and had to be sent to the Ketchikan Hospital. The other boy nine years old had his nose broken he also had to go to Ketchikan for medical treatment. The side lights head lights range lights were all lit where are lit by a storage battery. There were two sets of storage batteries on the boat. The engine that was on the boat was a 40 HP Frisco Standard”
The crew all survived the disaster, but the Osprey, valued at $10,000, sank and was a total loss. There was no insurance.
Mapping and Location: Southeast Alaska 55 28 N 133 14 W Chart 17405
Additional Information: Tonnage 12 Gross 11, Net, Length 41, Breadth 12, Depth 4, Built 1918 at Shakan, Owner George Demmert of Klawock, Registered Wrangell, ON 216595
Sources: 1. U S Coast Guard Report of Casualty September 3, 1936 by George S James, 2. Merchant Vessels of the United States 1935 & 1936