----------------------------------
Alpha, Wrecked 19001215
Piles of gnarled and tangled old iron plates and frames
which bear little resemblance to a ship.Everything was
completely laid open on the bottom, and under a heap of
broken anchor winches, Rogers found 2 hardly recognizable
anchors.
----------------------------------
Barnard Castle
Much of the ship remains on the bottom as does much of its
coal cargo. From the stern to amidship (40 m) the hull
retains some structural integrity. The walls of the ship
have collapsed outward and deck has fallen in but many
locations are complete with manhole openings.
Along the backbone of the vessel beneath deck runs the stern tube and on
stern deck are found parts of engines or winches. The
stern section begins to deteriorate amidships in vicinity
of two boilers, likely due to use of explosives to remove
engines. Forward of boilers little remains save
deteriorated hull walls and occasional bulkhead. Small
artifacts still remain in situ (in 1990).
----------------------------------
Capilano
The wreck sits upright, largely intact on the flat, muddy
bottom. Most of the wooden parts have disintegrated
including the deck.
----------------------------------
Carelmapu
The wreck lies in intertidal zone, and little of vessel
remains due to action of swell and storm as well as heavy
salvage that was undertaken soon after the loss in order
to gather metal for the First World War effort.
----------------------------------
City of Ainsworth
Vessel upright with bow pointed upslope and stern angled
upslope toward cliffs. Vessel canted slightly to
starboard, with hull and paddlewheel intact. Upper deck
and pilot house badly shattered. Shattered portions of
lower and upper decks overhang 1-2 meters beyond hull on
starboard side. (This debris significant hazard to
exploration). Engine and boiler not visible but drive
shafts or arms properly aligned and in place. Some
machinery observed but no debris around vessel other than
boards, doors, windows from shattered upper deck.
Observations suggest wreck more intact immediately after
settling than in 1990 visit.
----------------------------------
Coloma
Scattered across a rocky, surf swept bottom lay a large
number of brass drift pins, various pieces of rigging, and
a few larger objects such as what appears to be a large
winch drum. No outline of a hull was found, due no doubt
to the exposed conditions of the site. The wreck has
experienced the full brunt of storm and surf and is in a
scattered, mixed condition.
----------------------------------
Cottage City, Wrecked 19110126
Iron beams and tangled pieces of corroded steel piping and
machinery.
----------------------------------
Del Norte
Del Norte is in roughly north-south direction. The
shallower portions of the wreck (30-50 ft) lie on the
steepest part of the sloping bottom and consist of various
small deck fittings such as bollards, cleats and the
capstan as well as the greatest portion of the coal cargo
which is piled and strewn across the bottom. At the 50-70
ft level lie the two main boilers lying upright and site
by side with their stack flues in a vertical position. At
the 70-85 ft level lies the Del Nortes oscillating steam
engines, the paddle shafts and what remains of the
paddlewheels. Of the latter only the hubs and portions of
the spokes and spoke supports remain. The port side wheel
remains standing (as of 1982) upright connected to its
shaft while the starboard wheel lies on its side (after
having probably being pulled over by the fouled anchor of
some visiting vessel in 1981). Still deeper at the 85-110
ft level lies a great deal of hull and deck planking,
copper hull sheathing and more of the coal cargo. The
great portion of this deeper segment lies partially buried
in the bottom strata. For the upper two thirds of the
length of the wreck, there is a pronounced side slope to
the sea bottom, dropping down from east to west.
----------------------------------
Duncan
No details given, assume wreck is visible in intertidal
zone.
----------------------------------
Enterprise
The target area is littered with large (around 80 cm)
chunks of coal sitting on the soft silty bottom. Other
litter includes much bark which probably indicates the
same area was used a a booming ground. This is
collaborated by the nearby dolphins that are not part of
the breakwater. Andrew Bell (UASBC, 1991 C) reports
several (brass?) pins just south of the breakwater.
----------------------------------
Ericsson
Main wreck lies in depths ranging from intertidal to 90
feet although some scattered wreckage has been sighted in
depths of 120 feet and deeper. Dropping down a rock wall
to sandy bottom at 60 feet, divers found main wreck.
----------------------------------
Fanny
The wreck is broken into three distinct sections. The bow
lies in 12 meters of water at the channel entrance while
the stern and midship portion are found within the bay to
the west. Marine borers have reduced the wreck to a pile
of rusing deck knees, scattered driftbolts and other ships
fastenings. Some wooden structural members remain but
these are buried in the sand bottom. Near bow section the
distinctive 12 foot bower anchor is still attached to a
chain which runs across the reef, through a hawsepipe, and
into the chain locker. The chain piled in this area
conforms to a curve that describes the hull shape at this
point. A small deck winch and small carronade were also
found in vicinty of bow. At least seven deadeye rings are
scattered along the row of knees stretching to the SE. The
identification plaque was placed in 1990? adjacent to the
winch.
The midsection of wreck consists of large portions of the
side of the hull, measuring 40 m in length and made up of
buried hull planking and a jumble of deck knees. This
planking bears the rabbets cut for diagonal iron
strapping, some of which remains near its original
location. A long structural member runs half the length of
this section.
Stern also has significant hull portions buried under
sand, some lead? drain pipes and deck knees, and is
readily identified through presence of sternpost with
gudgeons still attached.
----------------------------------
Favorite
The wreck was found lying on a sloping silty bottom at a
depth of 25-30 feet with the stern facing north, parallel
to shore. The wreck was found to be lying at a 45 degree
angle on the sloping bottom. A large amount of her upper
hull has disintegrated or been removed, the portion that
remains is about that from the keel up to about four feet
above the waterline. That which remains is in very good
condition. A number of artifacts and fittings were
located inluding a working brass gimble (probably for a
lamp), a portion of the vessels starboard navigation light
lens, the bow roller, the mast step, a large grinding
wheel, mast bands, firebrick, blocks of cement and various
other machinery. The stern portion was found to be in
very good state of preservation with the brass gungeons
still intact. Apparently until just before the UASBC
visit, the ships rudder was in position and could still be
moved by hand. (It was removed to a private collection).
About 20 feet off the Favorites stern divers located what
appeared to be the rudder frame. A very large amount of
artifact material was found down the slope adjacent to the
wreck which has apparently found its way there as the
vessel disintegrated and spilled its contents over the
years. A large number of vintage soda and beer bottles
were sighted which probably originated from the workers at
the camp.
----------------------------------
Gulf Stream, Wrecked 19471011
The stern is in over 120 feet, and the bow points up
sharply to within 40 feet.
----------------------------------
Hera
Whole port side above waterline is visible protruding from
sand. Recently (1974) uncovered. The fire ravaged the
decks, rigging most of the lime but the hull, cargo and
artifacts beneath the lime are very well preserved. The
barrels are hooped and staved with wood each containing
five dozen corked, quart bottles packed in straw. Also
found were sacks of grain, deadeyes, mastbands, bilge
pumps, tin ware and ships hardware.
----------------------------------
Iroquois
The original wreck site was strewn with ceramic and glass
ware, personal belongings of passengers and crew and ships
fittings and hardware. Today, the area is a barren expanse
of sea bottom surmounted by the few remaining portions of
engine and boilers. No doubt a great deal of artifacts
lie buried beneath the bottom strata.
----------------------------------
John Rosenfeld
Main finds were made in a gully on Georgia Strait side of
reef at depth of 55 ft. Heavily concreted iron chain found
running up southern wall of gully and onto reef top. at
depth of 27 feet some 15 yards east of gully wall, an
amound of copper hull sheating was discovered firmly
wedged into rocks that make up reef top. At depth of 60
feet they found concreted coal scattered on gully floor.
At 35 feet two brass drift pins were discovered still
connected to small amounds of worm eaten timbers. These
were raised.
----------------------------------
King David
The remains of the King David now lie scattered mainly in
the intertidal zone off Bajo Point inside Bajo Reef.
----------------------------------
Lord Western
Vessel rests diagonally on a sloping silt and mud bottom,
bow resting in 35 feet of water pointing shorewards and
stern lies in 75 feet. Original description noted ship
resting upside down, now revised to resting on port side.
Hull in good shape apart from shattered bow and missing
transom counter, protruding masts and spars good shape
also. Anchor, later raised along with hawse pipe located
upside down some distance off port bow. Large windlass
also located outside hull, 65 feet off stern.
----------------------------------
Lornet, Wrecked 19320113
Except for the fuel tanks and a mass of rusting pipes and
old timbers, very little remains of the Lornet.
----------------------------------
Mah Ping
Much of wreck in intertidal zone, assumed visible.
----------------------------------
Miami, Wrecked 19000125
Stripped remains of the wreck are visible at extreme low
tides. The wreck lies in two parts on a coarse sand bottom
between the red conical buoy and the islet.
Little remains of the wreck due to thorough salvage in
1900. Wreck is in two parts on sandy bottom and is
considered a stripped ship. Broken metal extends down the
reef.
----------------------------------
Nereus, Wrecked 19370808
The great portion of machinery was indeed salvaged by
Capital Iron and Metals and what remains had been
completely flattened and concreted into the sea floor.
----------------------------------
Nika
The greater portion of the wooden hull having suffered the
ravages of the fire and many years of exposure to marine
borers have for the most part disintegrated. However Kall
metal fittings and equipment including engines, boilers,
propellor shaft and what remains of the propellor have
survived. Some wooden debris has survived including the
heavy keel, a great number of ribs, and the lower section
of the hull. Two navy type anchors still in the hawse
holes and connected to the windlass by the anchor chain
lie approximately 30 meters from the main body of wreckage
in a southerly direction. The propellor shaft still
connected to the main engine runs directly to the base of
the rock reef and measures 24.80 m in length. The
propellor itself one of the four fluked variety now
retains but one fluke. This was no doublt to the the fact
that the Nika dragged her stern along the bottom until
finally sinking.
----------------------------------
North Vancouver Ferry No. 2
The vessel is lying on it starboard side against the steep
shore in the intertidal zone. The bow faces toward Tahsis
and lies close by a number of old piling stumps. The
entire port side protrudes from the water. The fire had
ravaged all of the upper structure leaving only those
portions below the main steel deck and some metal fittings
above that level such a ladders, bollards, etc. The hull
and underwater portions were found to be relatively intact
with the rudder and propellor still in position. Below the
main wreck, in deeper water down the steep slope was found
little wreckage except some corroded iron piping and a
small deck winch. No small artifacts were sighted which
suggests that the wreck has been well picked over.
However, some smaller pieces may be located buried in the
silt and sand bottom around and under the wreck or further
downslope.
----------------------------------
Orpheus
The main body of the wreck lies on white sand bottom in
depths of from 40 to 85 ft. (depending on tide). The bow
faces shore on a bearing of 129 degrees with the stern
facing 309 degrees. The overall length of the main wreck
measures some 56 m in length with a breadth of 30 m at its
widest point. Although a great deal of timber can be seen
just beneath the surface of the sand and there is one
large exposed section of planking measuring 11 m by 5 m it
would seem that the greater portion of the hull and upper
structure of the vessel has disintegrated through the
action of marine organisms and immersion in salt water for
111 years. Predominant features of the wreck include the
ship's capstan and a small kedge anchor, the vessels
rudder, substantial ballast pile, mast rings or bands
which lie in a most intersting configuration about the
site, the masts long fallen and completely disintegrated
have left these rings in perfect order as if encircling an
invisible fore and main. At great deal of scattered
wreckage, riggings, fittings etc lie all around and
withing the main wreck area and include rigging shives and
deadyes, also heavy tiles from ships galley. Most large
artifacts remain on sea floor.
----------------------------------
Panther, Wrecked 1874011
The Panther's upper structures, decks, cabins and a large
portion of her hull had long since disintegrated from
decay and storm damage. All that remains of the hull
consists of a shallow, cradle-like portion that extends
for two thirds of the vessel's length filled with pieces
of encrusted coal of varying sizes, in effect the portion
of hull that would have extended from her keel to a point
just below the top of her holds. The bow section suffered
least from elements and massive timbers that one supported
upper decks and structures protrude through the coal.
Also at bow area may be found a large amount of fused and
corroded chain and the remains of an iron capstan. Upon
the surrounding sand lies scattered portions of the cargo,
portions of hull sheathing and dislodged timbers.
----------------------------------
Pass of Melfort
The wreck itself is very broken up due to its exposed
location. Scattered wreckage lies all
along the exposed shore from 50 ft to the intertidal zone.
Very little of the wreckage is
recognizable being so heavily concreted into the bottom
strata. Some object and artifacts
which can be identified include the large steam donkey
engine, lifeboat davits, support beams
for the deck and plates of the hull itself. One anchor
remains and large sections of the vessel's
steel masts have been located as well as substantial
amounts of heavy anchor chain. Smaller
artifacts and fittings would appear to have been driven
into the shallow water close to shore. In
this area deck bollards, mast rings etc have been sighted.
----------------------------------
Point Grey, Wrecked 19490206
The hull is upside down in 40 feet immediately below
Virago rock, with the bow facing south. The bow has
recently (1992) been damaged, perhaps by a tow cable.
Her heavy steel hull is relatively intact except for the
portions blasted away during the removal of her engines.
These jagged rents in the hull amidships afford the diver
entry into the ship and in one location unobstructed
passage completely through. The entire outer hull is
heavily encrusted with various marine life forms as is the
interior and many fish of different species have taken up
residence. The propellor (minus 1 fluke which lies off to
one side on the reef itself) is still in position and the
rudder is also detatched and lies upon the reef.
Occasionally small artifacts such as brass steam valves
are still found but most have long since been retrieved.
----------------------------------
Robert Kerr
The vessel's bow damaged extensively in the impact of the
original mishap lies scattered and broken on the shallow
rocky slope of the reef. Further scattered and dispersed
due to its relatively exposed position, timbers, metal
fittings, and the forward mast of the Robert Kerr are
strewn about the reef and heavily covered in invertebrates
such as small anemone, tunicate and large barnacles.
Portions of the midship section are relatively intact and
in particular sections of the port side hull clearly
indicate the original dimensions and heavy construction
utilized. In this area also lies the bulk of the coal
cargo. The stern of the vessel, though partially
collapsed would seem to contain the largest amount of
small visible artifacts. Some of the artifacts noted by
UASBC divers include handmade wooden coal shovels,
fragments of Canadian Pacific Steamship Company crockery,
intact windows from the stern house and anumber of black
glass bottles.
----------------------------------
Rosalia
The wreck site consists of a collection of brass pins, a
few scattered iron deck knees, some copper sheathing, and
a large anchor.
----------------------------------
Salvage Chief, Wrecked 19250207
Stern first in 5 fathoms.
----------------------------------
San Pedro
The bow of the wreck lies in shallow water on top of the
reef. It must have been blasted during salvage attempts as
it appears as a pile of broken and twisted plating. Some
90 meters of the hull including the keel and floors lie on{a 273 degree heading across the reef.. Three tailshaft
bushing assemblies lying in 12 meters of water at the
stern give divers an idea of the size of the San Pedro's
propeller shaft. Spilling downslope from th stern is a
debris trail. This is made up of coal and parts from the
vessel. Within the debris is one of the few significant
artifacts still on this vessel, a huge brass valve most
likely from the engine room. A large admiralty anchor,
2.5 meters in length and covered with barnacles was found
lying in 15 meters of water, 100 meters off the old
Brotchie Beacon on a 190 degree bearing.
----------------------------------
Santa Rita, Wrecked 19230214
The remains of an old scotch boiler were showing above the
surface. In deep tidepools tons of old steel were
exposed.On the ineer side of the rock wall in a deep
ravine, rested the bulk of the wreck. The pit was filled
with broken machinery. Between the rocks a propeller blade
was almost buried. Outside of the rock wall was the prop
shaft with two blades of the prop polished by the surf.
Rudder and tailshaft also visible. The main steam engine
was lying on its side just beneath the surface.
----------------------------------
Skagit
Anchor at high tide line on sandstone shelf all that
remains of wreck.
----------------------------------
Surprise
The remains consist of a row of exposed frames 17.4 meters
in length protruding from the gravel bottom. The exposed
portion of the wreck appears to be part of the port side.
A close examination of the structural elements found the
frames measured 0.34 x 0.30 meters and vessel was fastened
with one inch iron drifts. Buried in bottom sediments, the
remaining structural elements could be well preserved.
----------------------------------
Swordfish
The bulk of the Swordfish is scattered in 10 to 12 meters
of water on a ledge off the south face
of the Island. The site is heavily overgrown with kelp.
Much of the ships hull remains as
flattened hull plates and twisted I beams. Two large
pieces of wreckage, thought to be hatch
coamings lie in 30 meters of water off the southeast
corner of the reef. Among the debris on the
main reef lie two mast tubes side by side and neaby is one
of the ships large bower anchors. A
second cannon was discovered as well. No small artifacts
were noted.
----------------------------------
Thiepval
The vessel lies on her port side with her hull close to
the rock. Penetration of the hull is possible at a number
of points along its length. Access to the forepeak and
chain locker (still containing the anchor chains) is
possible by means of a rectanular hole situated on the
starboard side hull forward. This entry appears to have
been cut and as it gives direct access to the coal bunker,
was probably prepared by the Pacific Salvage company at
the time of the loss to facilitate removal of the
Thiepvals fuel supply of which little remains. This entry
point also allows access to the engine from from which
only limited brass, copper and lead fittings appear to
have been removed during the 1966 salvage operation for
the major portions of the engine, connecting rods, pistons
and cam remain intact and in position. The ships main
boiler prevents further penetration within the hull at
this point however it is possible to penetrate the area
abaft of the boiler to the sternmost sections of the hull.
The bow of the wreck is completely intact and like the
entire hull is heavily encrusted with marine life. (See
source document for partial list). The vessels decks have
collapsed exposing the 'tween decks compartments and steel
deck support structure. Deck fittings (lifeboat davits,
ventilators etc) have either collapsed into the hull or
lied on the sea floor nearby. At about amidships lies the
remains of the radio shack (a wooden structure added later
in ships career). Many vacuum tubes, circuit boards and
battery cases are found here. At the stern the steering
mechanism is exposed consisting of the quadrant and swing
quide. The quadrant hangs from its pivot. The vessels hull
remains relatively intact save for a section slightly
abaft of where the smokestack would have exited the deck.
Here the hull is almost split in two due to explosives
used to remove portions of the engines in 1966. Despite
the heavy looting and salvage of the past many small
artifacts remain at the site.
----------------------------------
Thrasher, Wrecked 18800714
The largest portion of the wreck lies in 30-50 feet of
water and consists of a few battered and scattered timbers
and portions of anchor chain. The remains of the iron
capstan drum lie in 45 feet of water on the northeast side
of the marker on Thrasher Rock. A small quantity of coal
remains.
(Rogers) Portions of the keel timbers and planking can be
seen. Old hardwood timbers are carved in many interesting
shapes, with numerous bronze rods fastening them together.
What appear to be large rocks are often big hunks of coal
heavily overgrown with marine life, and under this
overburden lie many interesting relics. The links of the
ancient anchor chains are spread across the reef on all
directions, disappearing and reappearing under sand and
shells. A large anchor is reported lying in shallow water
on the southeast side of the reef.
----------------------------------
Tolmie
The wreck measures 46.5 meters long. This section is the
side of the vessel lying flat on the sand bottom. Visible
are the deck knees and the starboard side of the hull down
to about the turn of the bilge. Small portions of the
decayed deck cling to the iron pins that would have
fastened the deck. Most wood has completely decayed, but
the hidden portion of the hull may be intact under silt.
Several frames describe the turn of the bilge, and others
near the bow rest on the base of the island, and form a
small cave. Large amounts of equipment, lines, and pipes
fill the vessel here. In the sand off the wreck near the
bow lies a deck plate with a hawse hole and a large pawl
that would have held the anchor chain in place.
Two hawse pipes lying off the starboard beam measure 3.4 m
in length and 0.45 m diameter. A small gasoline powered
auxiliary motor was also found on the wreck.
----------------------------------
Trader, Wrecked 19230316
The skeleton is visible, half buried in mud and silt.
Inside lie the remains of her cargo - hundreds of bags of
now solid concrete.
----------------------------------
Trebla, Wrecked 19240510
The keel and some ribs protrude from the sand just below
the low tide line. The bow pointing west. below this are
scattered the towing winch, remains of a boiler, the
upright rudder a coil of cable and several large tanks
tumble down the steep slope.
----------------------------------
Tuscan Prince
The main portion of the wreck lies parallel to the islet
that she struck, with bow facing east. The overall length
of the weck is about 150 meters with the furthest exent of
the wreckage some scattered hull plates being located in
60 feet of water about 55 meters from shore. The
structure of the hull has long since been degraded by
relentless action of the swell and surge causing the
vessel's hull plates to be flattened out amongst the rocks
and heavily concreted. Two 4 meter anchors have been
located in bow section. One of these is still connected to
its chain which lies in a concreted mass retaining the
shape of the locker. At mid point lie the ships two main
boilers and immediately behind lie the overturned cylinder
heads and 5 meters to the west lie the engine works. The
western extremity of the wreck includes the propellor
shaft, rudder stock, and propellor which are wedged
tightly into a crevice in shallow water. The entire wreck
site is scattered with varius debris including machinery,
pipe, cables, and fittings.
----------------------------------
Twenty-First of May
The wreck appears to be scattered, with some timber
remains buried in the sandy bottom. About them were
scattered pieces of anchor chain, fragments of copper
sheathing, pottery shards, brass drift pins, a pump like
object and iron concretions. Most of the collectable
artifacts recorded during a survey by Pearson College
students have disappeared. (This may be due to incompete
records).
----------------------------------
Unidentified
Wreck consists of two anchors, anchor chain and a wood
sheathed windlass.
----------------------------------
Unidentified
Wreck is apparently that of a small sailing vessel of
approximately 70 ft in length. There is little showing
except some heavier chunks of wrought iron and a line of
copper drifts that mark the keel. These drifts were found
by moving some of the rock. A certain amount of hull
timber is also visible in places. The main body of the
wreckage lies at a depth of 20 feet parallel to the shore.
----------------------------------
Unidentified
Wreckage may be upside down compared to actual orientation
in a vessel. Wreckage consists of large portions of the
forward portions of a ships hull of a sailing vessel of
unknown age. Some debris found on the beach in this area
may also have come from this wreck.
----------------------------------
Uzbekistan, Wrecked 194304
Most of the wreck can be seen on a near zero tide.
----------------------------------
Valencia, Wrecked 19060120
(Rogers) The main steam engine was found lying on its
side, hardly recognizable. The propeller shaft ran
directly toward shore and ended about 100 feet from the
rocks. The tailshaft was broken off close to the brass
sleeve and the propeller was missing. Broken machinery was
everywhere, but no signs of boilers. The forepeak was
separated by a considerable distance, in deeper water. A
few feet from the bow one of the Valencia's anchors was
resting on the sand; the other was leaning on a rock.
----------------------------------
Vanlene
The wreck now lies in depths of 30 to 130 feet. The bow
section, lying as it does in shallow water has suffered
most from the action of swell and storm which had reduced
it to a tangle of corroded machinery, cable, flattened
hull plates and fittings. The deckhouse structure has
collapsed upon itself and become detached from the main
body of the wreck. The portion of the vessel immediately
astern of where the deckhouse once stood to the stern
itself remains intact and lies on its starboard side in
depths of 70 to 130 feet. The two stern loading derricks
remain in position as do all deck fittings and structures
on the wreck. Penetration of the hull is possible in this
area but is not recommended. The stern holds are open and
still contain more than half of the cargo of Dodge Colt
cars, which, given the position of the wreck are piled in
a tangled mass against the ships starboard bulkhead.
----------------------------------
Velos
The wreckage is strewn about in shallow water and
overgrown with kelp and eelgrass. Wreckage extends from
the pebble beach outward for some 70 meters into the
water. Lack of structural material suggests that the
vessel was built of wood which has long ago deteriorated.
Only ships fastenings and propulsion elements remain.
These have been scattered by wave action over the years. A
large compound steam engine is the principal feature of
the wreck. Within a 10 meter radius can be found a
propeller shaft, two propeller blades, a rudder post,
ships head, and miscellaneous smaller objects including an
ornate shelving bracket, a brass door handle, and several
pieces of cutlery. These were left in situ and have yet to
be documented.
----------------------------------
Zephyr
The wreck itself lies partially buried in coarse sand and
shell bottom in 30-40 ft of water off the Mayne Island
shore. The major part of the hull having been subjected
to biological and tidal influences for over a hundred
years has long since disintegrated. Remaining above the
bottom strata is the ships capstan, her cargo of sandstone
blocks and columns, some concreted deck fittings and
portions of the copper hull sheathing. Now lying in two
parts, about 30 feet apart. Some artifacts, cargo, removed.