Odd, Old News: The Wreck of the Steamer ‘Active’ North of Shelter Cove

The Steamer Active

The Steamer Active [Photo Courtesy of Wikipedia]

Nuggets of old news are served up by David Heller, one of our local historians.

On June 6th, 1870, the steamer Active wrecked on a rocky Humboldt County coastline infamous for its navigational hazards and shipwrecks. It was a “gentle shipwreck”, unlike the heart-wrenching tragedy of the wreck of the Columbia, where panic and selfish self-preservation ruled the day and many people drowned. This time, the steamer Captain and crew successfully landed their passengers about fifteen miles north of Shelter Cove on the Big Flat beach where they waited until being rescued by the steamer Pacific and taken to Crescent City.

The Active had a storied past. “She was a coal-fired sidewheel steamer, but also rigged as a two-masted sailing ship to take advantage of favorable winds”. First named the Gold Hunter, she was built to ply the California gold trade from San Francisco to Sacramento, but in 1852 was purchased by the U.S. government to serve as a survey vessel for the United States Coast Survey. In 1860, the Active was retired as a survey ship and was bought by a West Coast steamer company to haul passengers and freight. At the time of the wreck she was enroute to Victoria, B.C.

A few miles south of where the steamer Shubrick had previously wrecked, the Active was sailing in a thick fog that parted at the last minute, revealing that the steamer was headed directly for the shore. A man working on the hillside directly onshore was warned of the steamer’s impending wreck by the nervous behavior of his horse which was tethered nearby.

It was the heartfelt sentiment of the 117 passengers that the Captain and crew had performed admirably in safely transporting them to shore, but not all the crew behaved so admirably. For local residents a shipwreck was an opportunity to plunder and scavenge. “Inhabitants from points all along the coast flocked to the scene”, they were euphemistically called “beachcombers and “wreckers”. Scavenging from shipwrecks was a perk of living near the coastline for local “land pirates”. Two of the crew who had been whipped for stealing from passengers’ valises joined the shore mob who were restrained from plundering by a show of shotguns by crew members guarding the ship’s contents.

Over the years there were many opportunities for “wreckers”, there are a number of tales of gold and silver having washed up on the coast, timbers rescued from the 1867 wreck of the Kaluna were used to build the Shelter Cove wharf. After the wreck of the St. Paul in 1905, the enthusiasm of some Mattole citizens to rescue its cargo of barrels of 25 year old bourbon may not have been matched until modern times when other intoxicants were said to have washed up on North Coast beaches.

To the relief of all concerned, no loss of life occurred from the shipwreck of the Active. The event took its place on the list of North Coast shipwrecks, adding to the call for a fog horn on the coast at Cape Gorda some miles to the north.

Crop of 1921 Belcher Atlas of Humboldt County[Courtesy of HSU Library]

Crop of 1921 Belcher Atlas of Humboldt County [Courtesy of HSU Library]

WRECK OF STEAMER “ACTIVE.”
Daily Alta
June 13, 1870
The Steamer Runs Ashore near Cape Mendocino—All the Passengers and Crew Saved— The Steamer a Total Loss—Wreckers Attempt to take Possession of the saved Freight — Dangerous Passage to the Shore.

A telegram from Jacksonville, in Sunday’s Alta announced the loss of the North Pacific Transportation Company’s steamer Active, bound for Victoria from this port, and by the arrival of the steamer Pacific, from Crescent City, we have all the particulars, furnished by Mr. Drummond, one the passengers.

In the Breakers
It appears that on the afternoon of June 5th, when south of Cape Mendocino, the fog being very dense, the steamer was found to be in the breakers, and her course changed so as to stand out to sea, and at that moment the fog lifted so that the land could be seen. Before getting entirely out of the dangerous place, the vessel struck upon a sunken rock, which, according to the resolutions adopted by the passengers, was not indicated by any visible break upon the water, and an examination was made by the Captain and Chief Engineer, who found that the ship was making no water, and the course was again changed off the land.

Shortly afterwards, upon again sounding the pumps, it was discovered that the ship had sprung a heavy leak forward.

Beaching the Steamer

Immediately after the discovery of this fact the Captain ordered all the forward passengers aft and commenced shifting cargo aft also, when, finding the water was gaining on the pumps and the ship was settling by the head, the Captain stood along the shore with the view of saving the ship in case the pumps could gain on the leak. But finding this impossible, the ship was headed straight for the shore, and everything made ready for saving the lives of the passengers by preparing all the boats for immediate use in case of necessity; that extremity did not arise, and the vessel was safely beached at a quarter to four o’clock p. m.

Landing the Passengers

The boats were then lowered and manned— the first by the Second Officer, J. W. Patridge, the second by the First Officer, J. Carr, and the third by Chief Engineer Brown. The ladies and children were first passed into the boats and landed without accident. After which the remaining passengers were likewise landed, also the mails and baggage, with provisions and water sufficient for the occasion.

Messengers Sent to Eureka

When this had been accomplished, Capt. Lyons dispatched Mr. Polk, the Purser, and Mr. O’Connor, Wells, Fargo & Co.’s Messenger, to carry the intelligence of the disaster to Eureka. They started on foot at 6 o’clock p. m., and after traveling eight miles under the most trying difficulties succeeded in obtaining horses, with which they proceeded to Eureka, a distance of 75 miles, where they arrived at 3 o’clock p. m., just in time to communicate with Capt. Sholl of the steamer Pacific, who kindly proceeded at once to the relief of the passengers. Great praise is given to the Purser and Mr. O’Connor for the timely and unexpected aid procured through their efforts.

In Camp on the Beach

It was found that the wreck was about twelve miles south of Point Gordo, near Spanish Flat— twenty-two miles from Cape Mendocino, and eighteen from Shelter Cove. The steamer was firmly fixed on a rock where she had been lifted by a large wave, and in settling the rock went through the vessel’s bottom and held her there.

The passengers were divided up into gangs under control of capable men, and the landing was effected without any excitement or confusion, and the high sea running rendered the utmost care necessary to prevent the boats being swamped.

When all had been safely landed at the beach, which was covered with drift logs so that there was no lack of materials for camp fires, (in fact so profuse were the materials that a fire brigade was organized to extinguish the flames that had communicated to the logs and threatened a new disaster), the passengers organized a meeting at which they had the following proceedings:

Spanish Flat, Humboldt Co., Cal, June 6th, 1870

At a meeting held this 6th day of June, 1870, on the beach, called Spanish Flat, about twelve miles to the southwest of Point Gordo, the passengers of the steamer Active, on her trip from San Francisco to Victoria, B. C, direct, assembled for the purpose of expressing their unbiased opinion as to the wreck of said vessel which occurred on the afternoon of the 5th instant. The meeting was called to order by Mr. J. S. Drummond of Victoria, and on motion Mr. A. G. Brown, of Santa Barbara, was called to preside, when, after a few pertinent remarks from the Chair, Mr. Charles S. Jones was chosen to act as Secretary of the meeting.

On motion duly adopted that the Chair appoint a committee of five to draft a suitable preamble and resolutions, the following gentlemen were named: T. S. Drummond, Victoria: H. R. H. Adamson, Victoria: Prof. W. W. Theobalds, San Francisco; James Ellard, New Westminister, B. C., and G. W. L. Allen.

After retiring for a short time, the committee returned and presented the following preamble [the facts of the preamble are used above] and resolutions, which were unanimously adopted: Resolved, That during this trying time, from the moment the ship first struck until eight o’clock p. m., when the boats were obliged to cease communication with the snip on account of the darkness and the fog, which precluded the possibility of seeing fifty yards from the shore, the conduct of Captain Lyons, his officers and crew, was noble and self-sacrificing, and we believe that to their coolness, and their determination of character, displayed in our imminent danger, we are indebted under a divine Providence, for the preservation of our lives and property.

Resolved. That we hereby tender our sincere thanks to every officer and man connected with the ship, for their unwearying and assiduous attention to the wants and necessities of the passengers after being landed, which only ceased after every one had the wants of nature supplied and were comfortably provided for for the night.

Resolved. That under the circumstances we consider ourselves wholly indebted to Captain Lyons for his prompt action in beaching the vessel, for the preservation of our lives, and we do hereby tender to him, and the officers and crew, our heart-felt thanks for their heroic and manly efforts displayed in landing us safely. A. G. Brown, Chairman. Chas. S. Jones. Secretary. The above was endorsed by the following named passengers: H. H. Nagle. John Spaul, W. H. Fleet, Robert Douglas, Finlay McRae, David Marshall, Edwin Bruce, Charles Stuart, D. Cruckshanks, W. H. Trimble, James Wilson, John McArdel, Luther Olds, Henry Wells. Charles Wasley, Nicholas Baker, Jos. Sarapica. James Kirk, Louis Lucre, A. G. Klaschke, Wm. McRae, A. Frazer, A. Cook, Mrs. Hankin, Miss Jimmie Patterson, Emmy. J. Phelps, Francis K. Eaton, Mrs. Lewis, Mrs. C. E. P Wood. Mary Wood, Rosina Lewis, Mrs. T. F. McElroy, Mercie Slocum, Mrs. Conklin. Belle Evans, Miss Olds, Mrs. A. Allen, Miss Edith S. Hand, Miss Sarah Elizabeth Allen, Mrs. Godding, Mrs. Kelly, Alexander McQuarrie, C. A. Wattemier, James Kelly, T. O’Connell.

How the News was Sent

The messengers from the scene of the wreck having reached Eureka just in time to communicate with the Pacific, were taken on board, and she proceeded to the wreck to take off the passengers mails and baggage. The passengers had made themselves comfortable during the time, though of course were very glad to be taken on the steamer They were then taken to Crescent City, where the Pacific was bound when intercepted, and landed freight and passengers for that place, and then returned on Friday to the wreck to take off such freight as could be saved.

From Crescent City a messenger was dispatched to Jacksonville, the nearest telegraph station, and from that point a dispatch was sent to this city on Saturday.

The Humboldt Times, of the 11th, says: Captain Lyons, his officers and men, remained on the beach by the wreck to look after the same, and await orders from San Francisco. The Active will prove a total loss beyond all doubt. It is thought that about one-half of the freight, of which she had about ninety tons, will be saved in a damaged condition. Nearly, if not quite all, the baggage was saved, very little of it being damaged. Some miscreant broke open a valise, and, we believe, a few other petty thefts were perpetrated.

Wells, Fargo & Co.’s freight was valued at about $50,000, nearly all of which is badly damaged, if not utterly ruined. The total value of the cargo was probably worth, according to estimates put upon it, somewhere about $100,000. It is a matter to rejoice at that this disaster has been unaccompanied with the loss of life. The loss of property is heavy and to be deplored, but the other consideration, in a great measure, reconciles this.

It can hardly be possible that Captain Lyons should escape censure for finding himself so far out of the route usually taken by the Oregon-bound steamers. The weather was foggy. according to the testimony of all the passengers, and the fatal rock was no doubt too deep below the surface to expose its presence; but it would seem that prudence would have suggested the propriety of giving the coast a wider berth.

At the Wreck, on the Return

When the Pacific returned to the scene of the disaster, the surf was breaking over the Active as high as her smoke-stacks, and all attempts to save anything more were considered useless. Boats were sent off to the shore to bring away the freight that had been saved, and in the trips back and forth three boats were capsized, but the crews got safely to the shore with their boats.

The Captain Left Behind

The last boat to come off had the Captain of the Active on board, but the boat swamped and he jumped overboard and swam ashore; the crew bailed out the boat and reached the Pacific safely. Another boat was then sent, off for the Captain, and in this boat the First Engineer returned, to stay by me wreck; it was now nearly dark, with the surf running very high; and as there was but one place to beach the boats it was feared that they might not be able to get safely to the laud. However, after waiting about twenty minutes a rocket was sent up from the shore, which was taken as a signal to go on without further delay, and the Pacific, having her anchor weighed, steamed off for this city.

The Beach- Combers

When the Second Officer and a portion of the crew remained with the freight on shore, to take care of it, two of the ones who had shown signs of rebellion, and had been punished for it by their comrades, now joined in with the wreckers who flocked in from the surrounding country, and attempted to take violent possession of the goods that had been saved, but a display of shotguns deterred them from carrying out their intentions. When the Pacific left, a line of camp fires could be seen, indicating that the wreckers were determined to wait, and perhaps make another attempt to pilfer.

The Active will go to pieces with the first southwest wind, and there may be some portions of her cargo remaining that will pay the beach-combers for waiting, without making an attack on the guard left in charge.

The Purser came down on the Pacific to report to the owners, and the second Engineer also came down as a passenger.

Card from the Passengers

The passengers by the Active drew up the following card of thanks to the owners of the Pacific:

“We cordially return our sincere thanks to Captain Sholl, of the Pacific, for the promptness with which he acted in coming to our relief; and also to the kind and gentlemanly Purser, Mr. Sublette, who left nothing undone that would add to our comfort; and to all the officers of the Pacific for their gentlemanly deportment to us in the hour of need.”

The messengers arrived in this city last night, heartily glad to have got off so happily from what might have been a very melancholy affair, and they are very grateful that they have had to experience so few of the hardships usually attending a shipwreck.
———————————————————————————–
Odd Old News could find no information about an official investigation into the incident, whether Captain Lyons was blamed for his being out of the normal route of Steamer traffic is unknown. The relief of the passengers at having avoided a much worse scenario made for a happy ending to the story. But was there something lurking in the ship’s cargo that escaped only to show up seven years later?

Earlier Odd and Old News:

There are many, but here are the most recent:

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Pike Mortar
Guest
Pike Mortar
2 years ago

I love this stuff.

I had to laugh at the post-wreck description of events. It sounds like the beached passengers were working on starting a new government! Meetings and resolutions, appointing a leader and a secretary…

TD
Guest
TD
2 years ago
Reply to  Pike Mortar

It seems all those Canadians got a bit fussy about organization and procedure.

Guest
Guest
Guest
2 years ago

I’ve been to Big Flat and as I remember there are remains of a ship buried in the sand and it had an oily smell. After one of your last articles I called the Etters to try and find out the name but they didn’t seem to know. This must be it. Thank you for the story.

David Heller
Guest
David Heller
2 years ago
Reply to  Guest

Hopefully Mary Ann Machi will reply to this Guest, but my less than authoritative guess would be that you saw the Shubrick wreck…

Mary Ann Machi
Guest
Mary Ann Machi
2 years ago
Reply to  David Heller

I don’t know much about the wreck of “Shubrick” but my understanding is at Big Flat.

Ernie Branscomb
Guest
2 years ago

Back in the old days, if you wrecked a company ship you’d better go down with it. I think it was real smart to park the ship on a rock. Lol

Back during the Industrial Revolution steam power was a real leap into the future. The captain was able to beach his ship. A sailing ship would have just floundered. The good part was a steam ship could make great headway… The drawback was they didn’t know where the hell they were.

Back before steam powered ships a clipper ship was as modern to them as a space ship is to us. It was absolutely amazing what the old-timers could make out of wood rope and tar. The sailing clippers owned the seven seas. It was one of my favorite eras, and my ancestor have deep history with ships.

My 3G grandfather, Captain Jonathon Alexander Lockhart, was the master of the sailing ship “The Hungarian” that shipped goods and emigrants around the Horn of South America and into San Francisco in the mid 1800’s, among other sailing ship captains. Some not so honorable in their pursuits.

Trashman
Guest
Trashman
2 years ago

I wonder if anyone had shown false lights back then? I just finished a good book about wreckers in England.

Steve Koch
Guest
Steve Koch
2 years ago

Great story, lots of action, could make a movie based on it.

Why did the two men seeking help (heroes!) have to go all the way to Crescent City to get a rescue ship, was there nothing in Eureka?

The way everybody expressed themselves was so elegant.

Ad hoc self organization of the passengers was very impressive.

David Heller
Guest
David Heller
2 years ago
Reply to  Steve Koch

I believe that you misread it Steve, the two men caught up with the rescue ship Pacific at Eureka. It was enroute to Crescent City when it came back downcoast to the rescue, picked up the passengers and went on to Crescent City to leave off the passengers, and the freight already onboard. Then it returned for the Active’s freight that was onshore.

Interestingly, one passenger was critical the Captain’s navigational skills, and reported different weather conditions: “A. G. Klashke, one of the passengers on board the steamer Active, states that his name was affixed to a card of thanks to Captain Lyons without his knowledge or consent. He thinks the Captain censurable for the wreck, as the steamer struck a rock so near the shore that cattle could be plainly seen on land from the ship. There was no fog at the time”(Sacramento Daily Union, 6/16/1870).

Steve Koch
Guest
Steve Koch
2 years ago
Reply to  David Heller

Whoops, you are right, thanks!

geoffrey davis
Guest
geoffrey davis
2 years ago

Thanks David . Another gem. Just to clarify things a little bit, I believe it was the crew that gave the two miscreants a “whipping” because I don’t think corporal punishment was still being administered at that time on board. Anybody have any ideas about this?

David Heller
Guest
David Heller
2 years ago

“two of the ones who had shown signs of rebellion, and had been punished for it by their comrades”– Hi Geoff, there’s the line that makes your point.

JRB
Guest
JRB
2 years ago

History can sometimes change very slowly. I was raised by a Naval Commander in the 1950’s. If you were deemed guilty of subordination you were whipped with a woven khaki colored belt. For lighter sentences you were kept in the brig (basement) for awhile or you were grounded. My brother and I figured out quite quickly how to be good sailors and not cause any problems with the commanding officer. These were the “time outs” of the day that were handed out, if you didn’t toe the line!

farley
Guest
farley
2 years ago

Funny to see how the journalism craft has changed in 150 years.

Joe
Guest
Joe
2 years ago

Has anyone on here heard the story of the old Spanish ship that wrecked somewhere near Trinidad? It was supposedly full of gold, and the Native Americans supposedly set it on fire?