SOUTHWEST ALASKA SHIPWRECKS ( X-Y-Z )

X-S (2008)     The 32 foot fishing vessel X-S stranded August 12, 2008 near Akun Island.  One of three crewmembers was rescued by the fishing vessel Kema Sue.  The remaining two were rescued by a U S Coast Guard Helicopter.  Salvage of the vessel was intended.

Mapping and Location: Southwest Alaska   54 11 N 165 32 W   Chart 16011

Source: U S C G District 17 Enforcement Report (August 12, 2008)

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-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-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”