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Official Number
97750 |
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Official Number
97750 |
The Peter Iredale was launched in June 1890 from the Maryport shipyard of R.Ritson & Co. Ltd. She was a four-masted iron and steel barque, provided with royal sails above double top and topgallant sails, and was Ritson's largest sailing vessel. She was originally owned by P. Iredale & Porter of Liverpool, and her first commander was Capt. G.A. Brown
The Peter Iredale sailed from Salina Cruz, Mexico, on or about
the 26th of September, 1906, with 1,000 tons of ballast, and a crew of
27, including two stowaways. She was bound for Portland, Oregon, under
the command of Capt.H.Lawrence. The ship's passage was uneventful until
on the night of October 25, 1906 Capt. Lawrence sighted the Tillamook Light
at 03.20 a.m.. The vessel entered the mouth of the Columbia River in a
thick mist on a rising tide. The wind veered to the west, and as the vessel
was trying to wear away from the shore she was struck by a heavy NW squall.
She grounded on Clatsop Sands and was driven ashore by strong a strong
SW sea and a westerly gale. She was soon dismasted, and the crew were taken
off by the Hammond lifeboat, with no loss of life. A Naval Court was held
at the British Vice-Consulate, Astoria, Oregon, on the 12th and 13th November,
1906, to investigate the loss. The conduct of Capt.Lawrence and his officers
was commended, the loss being ascribed to the weather, particularly the
sudden wind shift.
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