R. D. Inman stranded on extreme upper end of Duxbury Reef (Bolinas Point). Went inshore looking for possible boats from supposed burning vessel which proved to be fire on beach. Weather; cloudy, dark, strong southeast wind, rain squalls. Struck once and bucked off - struck again and became helpless, lost or broke propeller on rocks. Life saving steamer Snohomish and Life saving crew from Bonita went to scene of wreck but nothing could be done. At about 8 o'clock P.M. a fire was sighted from deck of the Inman which was supposed to be vessel on fire but proved to be fire on the beach. The Inman was headed inshore for the purpose of rendering assistance to burning vessel, got too far in and stranded on reef.

Wreck Report

R. D. Inman came to rest parallel to the shore, 500 feet from the beach, washing over the reef into a shallow basin and listing heavily to starboard. The vessel was wedged tightly in the rocks; no attempt was made to get her off. Instead, owner F. S. Loop of the Loop Steamship Company collected his $100,000 insurance policy. Abandoned as a total loss, R. D. Inman was partially salvaged by the underwriters and left to the sea; "the steamer will be stripped of machinery and deck fittings and everything of value that can be secured.