National Marine Sanctuaries

Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary

Shipwreck Database

Vessel
*Not A Total Loss

La Feliz

  
Name (former)
Official Number
 201240
Propulsion
 Steam
Nationality
 US
Masts
 1
Age
 20
Decks
 1
Value
  
Type
 Steam Schooner
Call Sign
  
Use
 Cargo
Home Port
 CA. San Francisco
Tonnage (gross)
 102
Built When
 1904
Tonnage (net)
 48
Built Where
 WA, Newhall
Tonnage
Built by
  
Displacement
  
Hull Material
 Wood
Length (ft)
 72.0
Cargo
 canned sardines
Beam
 18.9
Owner
  
Depth of Hold
 9.0
 
CASUALTY
   
Latitude
36°57N
Longitude
122°01W
WHERE
Santa Cruz, 2 miles north of light station
STATE
CA
YEAR
1924
LAST PORT
CA, Monterey (10/01/24)
MONTH
10
DESTINATION
CA, San Francisco
DAY
01
People on Board
13
TIME
FATALITIES
0
CAUSE
Running too close to shore
NATURE OF CASUALTY

The vessel was caught in the heavy seas and dashed against an outcropping of rocks. A line from shore to the vessel, allowed the crew to make shore.

The coastwise steamer La feliz, ground near Watsonville, California with a sizable cargo of Fireman's Fund-insured sardines aboard. Artichoke rancher who owned the land wanted $500 to let the salvors cross his land; under marine law no payment is required. Rancher kept them off first with a rifle, later by flooding the access road. Expediency overrule principle and the Company paid. Bronson