National Marine Sanctuaries

Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary

Shipwreck Database

Vessel
*Not A Total Loss

Austria

  
Name (former)
Official Number
1857
Propulsion
Sail
Nationality
US
Masts
3
Age
17
Decks
2
Value
20,000
Type
Bark (originally Ship rigged)
Call Sign
JHNB
Use
Cargo
Home Port
CA, San Francisco
Tonnage (gross)
1300.02
Built When
1870
Tonnage (net)
1238.43
Built Where
Maine, Bath
Tonnage
 
Built by
Houghton Brothers **
Displacement
Hull Material
Oak & Yellow Pine
Length (ft)
198.9
Cargo
Ballast
Beam
39.0
Owner
A.M. Simpson & Bro.
Depth of Hold
23.9
 
CASUALTY
   
Latitude
48°10N
Longitude
124°44W
WHERE
Cape Alava
STATE
WA
YEAR
1887
LAST PORT
CA, San Francisco
MONTH
01
DESTINATION
CA, San Nicholas Is (fishing grounds)
DAY
30
People on Board
17
TIME
0730
FATALITIES
0
CAUSE
Collision with log
NATURE OF CASUALTY

"We had a fine run of 8 1/2 days to the vicinity of Cape Flattery; the wind had been from the south and east, when it hauled to the westward and blew a heavy gale. We did not calculate ourselves so near the coast until we made Cape Flattery light when we knew that the current had taken us inshore, the light bearing west by north. Immediately made all possible sail and headed N.W. by N. The vessel making leeway, wore around heading S.S. W. Lost foresail, foretopsail and mizzen staysail, all new canvas, blown out of the bolt ropes, the vessel still making leeway and drawing nearer the shore. Fortunately daybreak was drawing near. The sea was a mass of living breakers to leeward and as daylight dawned we realized our dangerous position and did not know how soon the vessel would dash itself to pieces on some hidden rock. Our principal sails being blown away there was nothing left for us to do but steer through the network of rocks to the smoothest place visible and about 7:30 A. M. she struck a hidden rock, part of which must have gone through her bottom as the tide ebbs and flows through her as she lies upright and apparently uninjured. During the day the wind hauled to the northward the sea went down sufficiently to allow us to make a landing in the boats and as we approached the land the Indians came out in their canoes and assisted us in getting safely ashore. We suffered very much with the cold until the next day when the sea had sufficiently moderated to allow us to return on board and get bedding, clothes and some provisions.

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Later, the Captain proceeded in the cutter "Oliver Wolcott", to the scene of the wreck; the cutter was anchored inside the Flattery Rocks and with the assistance of the crew of the "Austria" everything was saved from the ill-fated vessel except some old sails and furniture."

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