Historical Research for
the WATSON A. WEST

A literature search of original documents is presently being conducted by the CINMS Maritime Heritage Coordinator, accessing possible leads to the location of the WATSON A. WEST. Shortly after the stranding of the four-masted schooner the local island vessel SANTA ROSA ISLAND returned to the site. The Los Angeles Times newspaper on 26 February 1923, reported the following, although incorrectly describing the WEST as a steamer.

 

"Insurance Men to View Scene of Shipwreck"

"SANTA BARBARA. Feb. 25 -- Capt. Ludwig Sorensen of the lumber steamer Watson A. West, which grounded on the rocks of San Miguel Island, thirty miles off the coast and fifty-five miles from Santa Barbara Friday night, left today with the marine insurance adjusters from Los Angeles aboard the Santa Rosa Island steamer for the scene of the wreck.

Fishermen from the scene of the wreck state that the 800,000 feet of lumber is covering the sea and strewing the island coast. They declare the steamer is a complete loss.

The point where the vessel went down is known here as the graveyard of ships, for numerous vessels have been sunk there since vessels first plied the channel waters."

A couple of days after the SANTA ROSA ISLAND visited the shipwreck, the Los Angeles Times reports the island vessel VAQUERO heading to the site.

"The power schooner VAQUERO left late yesterday for San Miguel Island to the scene of the wreck of the schooner WATSON A. WEST which went down late Saturday after striking the rocky point of the island. The VAQUERO will attempt to salvage part of the lumber cargo of the wrecked windjammer and also has a number of Los Angeles surveyors and marine insurance men on board."

The following month the United States Coast Cutter TAMAORA went in search for the remains of the WATSON A. WEST off San Miguel Island. CINMS is also looking to the community for assistance, especially the commercial diving community who may have encountered wreckage during their dives in the region.
Upon discovery of the WATSON A. WEST, an underwater archaeological survey will be conducted.