KOLYMA (1920) The 29 ton gas screw Kolyma stranded and became a total loss on the northwest side of Sledge Island at 2:45 a.m. Thursday July 22, 1920. The vessel had departed Nome earlier in the day to seek shelter at Sledge Island with two crewmen aboard. John Vatney of Seattle, master of the Kolyma made the following statements in the casualty report:
“North west side of Sledge Island, Alaska….STRANDING” “The wind shifted suddenly to the west and was a gale in a few minutes and the engine refused to work.” “There was a gale blowing from the west, very heavy sea, and impossible for anchors to hold vessel…light.” “We dropped the second anchor and tried to start the engine, but she struck the reef before engine could be started. There were several vessels there but none of them could render assistance as it was all they could do to get out themselves.” “When the anchors started to drag we blew for the ga.s. Genvieve who was close, and asked for assistance. She tried to get a line to us but the sea was so rough she could not. The reason the engines refused to work was that the heavy rolling got water in the cylinders.”
The crewmen were able to get to safety but the Kolyma and her cargo became a total loss. She was carrying 30 tons of general merchandise including 75 cases of distillate and coal oil on deck. The vessel was valued at $10,000 and her cargo at $15,000.
Mapping and Location: West central Alaska 64 29 N 166 13 W Chart 16200
Additional Information: Tonnage 29 Gross 24 Net, Built 1915, Registered Seattle, ON 213421, Owners C L Hibbard, H C Hibbard and Olaf Swenson of Seattle, Insurance unknown
Source: U S Coast Guard Report of Casualty August 4, 1920 at Nome
KOTZBUE (1956) The 69 ton 60 foot steel oil screw Kotzebue was destroyed by ice March 10, 1956 in Kotzebue Sound.
Mapping and Location: West central Alaska 66 45 N 163 W Chart 16005
Additional Information: Tonnage 69 Gross 47 Net, Length 60.3, Breadth 18.5, Depth 6.8, Built 1946 at Blaine WA, Service freight, Horsepower 120, SL WA6873, Owner Arctic Oil Sales Inc., Registered Juneau, ON 249916
Sources: 1. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1958) Pg 290, 2. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1959) “Vessels Reported Lost” Pg 802
KSL CO BARGE NO 7 (1910) The 23 ton wooden barge KSL Co Barge No 7 sprung a leak, parted her hawser and foundered in Kotzebue Sound at 4 p.m. July 17, 1910. The wreck report puts the location of the wreck “5 mi. so. of Chancico Island, Kotzebue Sound, Alaska.” The barge is said to have last sailed from Cape Blossom for “Kewakok”.
Mapping and Location: West central Alaska 66 02 N 161 50 W Chart 16005
Comment: Now Chamisso Island and Kiwalik Village. WG
Additional Information: Built 1907 at Kiwalik, Registered Nome, ON 163656, Owners Noyes, Daukert, Howland & Reich of Candle, Vessel Value $800, Cargo none
Source: U S Customs Wreck Report filed by owner Chas. Daukert September 14, 1910 at Nome
KSL CO BARGE NO 4 (1910) The 23 ton wooden barge KSL Co Barge No 4 parted her anchor line and drifted ashore September 20, 1910 and was lost. The strong westerly wind and heavy seas forced the barge onto the beach in Willow Bay 12 miles NE of Deering in Kotzebue Sound. There was no one aboard and no cargo when the vessel drifted ashore. Charles Daukert, part owner mentioned in the wreck report:
“Expected to get her off this spring but the ice made a total wreck of her during the winter.”
The KSL Co Barge No 4 was valued at $700 with nothing but ballast aboard. She last sailed from “Kewalik” bound for Deering. Her owners are listed as Daukert & Reich of Candle
Mapping and Location: West central Alaska 66 05 N 162 21 W Chart 16005
Additional Information: Built 1906 at Kiwalik, Registered Nome, ON 163653, Master L Reich of Candle
Source: U S Customs Wreck Report filed July 7, 1911 by Daukert at Nome