Alaskas Gold Rush Shipwrecks

[Gypsy Heart]

Alaska's Gold Rush Shipwrecks

http://www.news-miner.com/Stories/0,1413,113~7244~3291942,00.html


............There are more than 4,000 sunken ships throughout the coastal regions of Alaska. Those historical sites, though shrouded under chilly waters, hold a trove of historical value to the state.
Earlier this month, University of Alaska Fairbanks scientists joined state researchers in diving to a few of the wreckage sites to evaluate their condition.

"There were some spectacular wrecks there," said Professor John Kelley. "But there's been a lot of tragedy as well." ....................

 

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[Mackaydon]

Re: Alaska's Gold Rush Shipwrecks

Gypsy:
A good trivia question that will stump 99 out of 100 is to name the vessel 'credited' with the greatest loss of life on the West Coast of the United States. Your topic might be the biggest clue.
Thanks for reminding me of that vessel and its story.
Documented tragedy, for sure.
Don..

 

[jeff k]

Re: Alaska's Gold Rush Shipwrecks

If you mean "life" in general, then it has to be the Exxon Valdez.

 

[Mackaydon]

Re: Alaska's Gold Rush Shipwrecks

Jeff K:
That's a great answer, and probably true for "life in general". My thought, however, concerned human life.
And here is part two to my trivia question: Why is this largest loss of (human) life from a vessel on the West Coast of the United States so obscure? Hint: What else was happening at the time?
Don......

 

[Chagy]

Re: Alaska's Gold Rush Shipwrecks

SS CENTRAL AMERICA 1857



Best,

Chagy............

 

[Mackaydon]

Re: Alaska's Gold Rush Shipwrecks

Chagy:
Central America was lost on the East Coast; I'm looking for a US West Coast loss. Another clue: Not within 50 years of loss of Cent. Am.
Another clue: not a documented galleon
Don.......

 

[Gypsy Heart]

Re: Alaska's Gold Rush Shipwrecks

USS Arizona?

 

[Mackaydon]

Re: Alaska's Gold Rush Shipwrecks

Gypsyheart:
Arizona is probably the greatest loss of life (1177?), I grant you that. What I had in mind was a vessel lost along the Western coast of the US, but not quite that far west.
Don......

 

[Chagy]

Re: Alaska's Gold Rush Shipwrecks

Guam is U.S. terretory in the Pacific U.S.S. Indianapolis




Chagy......

 

[Mackaydon]

Re: Alaska's Gold Rush Shipwrecks

Chagy:
No question that loss, the USS Indianapolis, was another hugh loss of life situation. That ship was never 'missed', and by the time the survivors were spotted by accident four days later only 316 men of nearly 1,200 were still alive. I think the History Channel has run a special or two on that event, and the mystery as to WHY the ship was never 'missed'.

What I'm still searching for is the greatest loss of life for a vessel that wrecked along the Western Coast of the US; from California to Alaska. I'm learning to better clarify my questions; a good lesson for me.
Don...

 

[Gypsy Heart]

Re: Alaska's Gold Rush Shipwrecks

SS Valencia ?

 

[Chagy]

Re: Alaska's Gold Rush Shipwrecks

What else was happening at that time?

California gold rush

Why is this loss of human life from a vessel so obscure?

Ghost galleon, carrying contraband


Chagy.......

 

[Mackaydon]

Re: Alaska's Gold Rush Shipwrecks

Chagy:
Trench warfare was going on at this time.
Don.......

 

[jeff k]

Re: Alaska's Gold Rush Shipwrecks

The Princess Sophia a Canadian steamer was lost off Alaska in 1918, with a loss of 398 people. Here's one very few remember. The Valbaneira, a Spanish steamer was lost off the Florida Keys in 1919, with a loss of 500 people.

 

[Cablava]

Re: Alaska's Gold Rush Shipwrecks

On October 25 1918, the SS Princess Sophia sunk on Vanderbilt Reef near Juneau, Alaska, all 353 passengers died in the worst maritime disaster in the Pacific NorthWest.

Check the story at this link. But Just because it says its the worst does not mean Don does not know another ship.

http://www.ssislander.co.uk/sophia.html

 

[Mackaydon]

Re: Alaska's Gold Rush Shipwrecks

Jeff and Cablava:
BINGO; the Princess Sophia is the name I was thinking about.

The history of that vessel is well documented as is the successful search for the ship's safe. But the rest of the ship still lies there. (The mast--only--could still be seen the following day--) and day trips are available.

What made the vessel 'obscure' in history it that the end of WW I (The Great War) was near and men, by the thousands, were dying-perhaps daily-on the battlefield (trench warfare) in Europe. So why use much 'ink' on a measly 300+ loss of life in Alaska. I think that mentality kept it away from the public soon after the loss.
With maybe 10 million dead and 20 million injured during WWI, that war coming to an end was, no doubt, the bigger story.
Don.......
Don.....

 

[Gypsy Heart]

Re: Alaska's Gold Rush Shipwrecks

Thats why I love this forum...I learn so very much on a daily basis! Thanks Guys!