Shipwreck Database

Jane L Stanford

Jane's thirty-seven years at sea came to an abrupt end, just a couple of miles from Santa Barbara on 30 August 1929. Although she traveled through out the Pacific, visiting distant shores such as the Hawaiian Islands, Australia, Chile and China, her final journey did not go without a fight.

You see Jane was actually a four-masted barkentine. christened with the name Jane L. Stanford in 1892. She was a product of the prolific ship builder Hans Bendixsen of Fairhaven, California. Bendixsen had recently purchased a very large saw for his mill that allowed him to build, at that time, the largest sailing vessel to come out of his yard. On 20 December 1892, the Humboldt Standard reported on the Stanford's launching [in part] "The barkentine Jane L. Stanford was launched today at high tide at Bendixsen's shipyard. The Jane L. Stanford's measurements are as follows: Length, 240 feet; beam, 41 feet; depth of hold, 16 feet; gross tonnage, 970.69; net tonnage, 922.16. Carrying capacity, 1,2000,000 feet of lumber. The managing owner is Captain J. J. Smith, of San Francisco, where she is registered. She will sail in the Pacific lumber trade, receiving her first cargo at Vance's wharf of 400,000 feet of redwood lumber, thence going to Puget Sound to complete her cargo for Sydney.

The vessel presented a beautiful appearance this morning. She is painted dark green on the outside to waterline, below which she is copper painted. At mizzen-masthead floated the burgee, on the jigger and foremast ensigns, and on the mainmast the house flag, while from the stays floated the flags of universal code of signals. The American Jack floated at the fore. The vessel is fitted with the latest steam hoisting and pumping apparatus. The sails will also be raised by steam. In the forward deckhouse the donkey engine is located; the galley in front of the engine room, and the sailor's quarters forward.

Jane L. Stanford was launched in 1892, name for the founders wife
of Stanford University.

The cabins are elegantly finished in maple, walnut and oak and will be furnished in a like manner. The after-cabin is finished in white and gold. There are six staterooms here, a bath and toilet room, pantry, etc. At 11:30 o'clock fully 500 visitors were present to witness the launching and christening of the new vessel. Just as she left the ways, Mrs. James A. Johnston, wife for the Captain, broke a bottle of champagne over her stem and the Jane L. Stanford was launched at the same moment."

At the end of a successful career in the transpacific lumber trade that concluded with a voyage, under the command of Captain P. A. McDonald, from Ching Wang ­ Tao China to Cape Flattery, Washington in 40 days, she was sold 1926 and converted into a fishing barge. During the 1920's and later years, fishing barges dotted the offshore coastline from Santa Barbara to San Diego, offering a day of low cost sport fishing.

On 31 August 1929, a Santa Barbara newspaper headline read "Rammed Fishing Barge to be Taken Into Port." The newspaper went on to say "While Captain Bill Hall's fishing barge, Jane L. Stanford floundered in the channel waters, two and a half miles from shore, like a wounded animal with a gaping hole nine feet in her side, after being rammed by the White Flyer line passenger ­ freighter Humboldt shortly after three o'clock yesterday morning, plans were under way last night to tow the vessel to San Pedro for possible repairs today.

The Humboldt, ironically named for the bay at which the Jane L. Stanford was built, delivered her death sentence. Suffering little damage from the allision 2., the steamer continued on her northbound run to San Francisco. Although the Stanford did not sink after the impact she was described in a letter to the Commandant of U.S. Guard, San Pedro, "The Humboldt cut a hole in her side about 20 ft. x 8 ft. and the owners (Hans Carstensen) have been informed by Merritt-Chapman & Scott that the cost of salvage and repair would be prohibitive. They have therefore informed this office that they propose to abandon her and request that the Federal government take charge of her as a derelict and menace to navigation."

From he U. S. Coast Guard Cutter Tamaroa's official log September 1929 [in part]; "Friday, 13th: Moored to outer harbor dock San Pedro, California, awaiting delivery of Naval wrecking mines. 1510 Received from the U.S.S. New Mexico 12 Naval wrecking mines and firing equipment.

Saturday, 14th: Light breeze; overcast; foggy; slight sea and west swell, on course 2950 true, speed 2890 r.p.m. 0725 Stopped close by wrecked fishing barge Jane L. Stanford, partially submerged with decks awash in vicinity of Santa Barbara channel buoy. 0953 Towing cable made fast and working party returned on board. Commenced towing, set course 2140 true.

Sunday, 15th: 0100 West Point, Santa Cruz Island, abeam, distant one mile. Altered course to 2600 true. 0220 Altered course to 2120.true. 0330 Deep sea sounding lead carried away while taking sounding. 0350 Sighted Santa Rosa Island. 0405 Let go starboard anchor, 45 fathoms chain, 13 fathoms water. 0600 Fired ten one-pounder charges to pierce tanks on board Jane L. Stanford making preparations to demolish afore-mentioned barge. 0815 Jane L. Stanford beached 0.7 miles west of Skunk Point, Santa Rosa Island, cast off towing cable and commenced to demolish. 0830 A working party departed ship via motor dinghy, the firing cable was run to the beached wreck, the reel remaining on board of the Tamaroa, which was then anchored about one thousand feet distant. Two mines were lashed together, connected to the firing cable and lowered into the after hold, starboard side. This charge seemed to have carried away the keel and part of the hull. The next two mines were placed in the hold beneath the cabin where a whole had been cut and cleared of wreckage. These mines completely blew out the stern and rudder post. The next two mines were placed in the after hold, port side. This charge severed the stern which commenced drifting toward the beach.

Monday, 16th: Close by wreck of Jane L. Stanford but due to heavy wind and sea, suspended work on wreck pending moderation of weather. Inspection of wreck showed stern completely severed, demolished and washed high on the beach, the bow and midship sections in breakers close in.

Tuesday, 17th: Anchored close to wreck of fishing barge Jane L. Stanford, made for further mining of derelict. Two mines were placed in the midship section which when exploded nearly cut wreck in two. Two other mines were placed beneath the forward deck house which did considerable damage forward. The last two mines were placed in the forecastle beneath the jib boom. These mines completely carried away the forecastle and all wreckage drifted up on the beach. Having exploded the twelve Naval wrecking mines set course (to Santa Barbara).

Wednesday, 18th: At anchor off Stearns Wharf, Santa Barbara, California, for purpose of obtaining fresh provisions. 0735 Having received provisions, underway on various courses and speeds. 1115 Stopped close by wreck of fishing barge Jane L. Stanford, inspection of wreck showed considerable more damage than could be ascertained yesterday, major part of wreck now high and dry.

Thursday, 19th: Stopped near Skunk Point. Jane L. Stanford wreck in breakers and breaking up. The Tahoe anchored in Bechers Bay. Received on board 10 Naval wrecking mines and 30 blasting capes."

The Tamaroa spent Thursday afternoon and the next day continuing the campaign to destroy the sailing vessel. Little did Hans Bendixsen know that thirty-seven years later it would take a total of 26 Naval wrecking mines, 24 detonators, 4 blasting caps and other miscellaneous gear to breakup the Jane L. Stanford. Quoting from the Santa Barbara Morning Press: "The terrific force of the blast hurled parts of the ship over a space of more than two miles, scattering pieces of wood and metal along the beach. The huge boiler (donkey boiler) was blown more than twenty feet into the air. ŒIt was quite a scene,' said captain Charles Lucas, commander of the coast guard cutter Tamaroa."

From the Los Angeles Times, 19 September 1929, Santa Barbara "The explosion, plainly heard in this city during the morning, caused some alarm among housewives, who kept police busy answering telephone calls. In addition to the wrecking of the Jane L. Stanford, the battleship West Virginia was at target practice off Santa Rosa Island yesterday and the reverberations from its guns were also felt here."

1. Barkentine: A vessel with three or more masts, square-rigged on the fore, with fore-and-aft sails on all other masts.
2. Allision: A term to describe the striking of a stationary vessel by a moving vessel.

Schwemmer, Robert, Seventy Year Search for Jane - 30 August 1929 - 1999