The skeletal remains of the Peter Iredale stand as a stark and captivating monument on the sands of Clatsop Beach in Oregon. This eerie shipwreck, a four-masted steel bark, has become one of the most photographed and visited landmarks along the Oregon Coast, drawing history buffs and curious travelers alike to witness its rusted grandeur. The story of the Peter Iredale, grounded over a century ago, is a tale of maritime misfortune, heroic rescue, and enduring legacy.
Built in Maryport, England, in 1890, the Peter Iredale was a robust vessel owned by the British shipping firm Iredale & Porter. In September 1906, under the command of Captain H. Lawrence, the ship embarked from Salina Cruz, Mexico, destined for Portland, Oregon. Her mission was to load a cargo of wheat bound for the United Kingdom. The voyage initially progressed smoothly, but as the Iredale approached the mouth of the Columbia River on the morning of October 25th, dense fog descended, shrouding the coastline.
Captain Lawrence recounted the harrowing moments leading to the grounding. While awaiting a pilot to safely navigate the Columbia River bar, a sudden and forceful southeast wind arose, coupled with a powerful current. These unforeseen elements pushed the Iredale towards the shore with alarming speed. Despite valiant efforts to maneuver the vessel, she was driven into the breakers and slammed violently onto Clatsop Beach. The impact was so severe that three of the ship’s masts snapped, rendering her immobile. Miraculously, despite the dramatic wreck, none of the crew sustained serious injuries.
Recognizing the futility of saving the ship, Captain Lawrence ordered the Peter Iredale abandoned and signaled for help using rockets. The Point Adams lifesaving station swiftly responded to the distress call. A team of brave lifesavers was dispatched to the stricken vessel, embarking on a perilous rescue mission through the crashing waves. They successfully brought all twenty-seven men aboard, including two stowaways, safely ashore. William K. Inman, one of the lifesavers, vividly recalled Captain Lawrence’s poignant farewell to his ship. The red-bearded captain, standing tall and resolute, saluted the Peter Iredale and uttered the now-famous words, “May God bless you and may your bones bleach in these sands.” He then offered his crew a drink from a bottle of whisky, a gesture of camaraderie in the face of disaster. A subsequent British Naval Court of Inquiry determined that the sudden shift in wind and the strong current were solely responsible for the shipwreck, exonerating Captain Lawrence and his officers from any blame.
The wreck of the Peter Iredale almost instantly transformed into a popular attraction. Just a day after the grounding, the Oregon Journal reported the wreck’s magnetic pull, noting that “scores flocked to the scene of the disaster” despite stormy weather. The Astoria & Columbia River Railroad quickly capitalized on the spectacle, organizing excursion trains to Clatsop Beach, making the shipwreck easily accessible to the public. Over the decades, the relentless forces of the Pacific Ocean – waves, wind, and shifting sands – have gradually dismantled the once-proud bark. Yet, the skeletal framework of the Peter Iredale persists, embedded in the sands of Clatsop Beach within Fort Stevens State Park. Today, more than a century after its dramatic demise, the wreck of the Peter Iredale remains an iconic Oregon Coast landmark, a testament to the power of nature and a hauntingly beautiful reminder of maritime history.
Further Reading:
Gibbs, James A. Pacific Graveyard: A Narrative of Shipwrecks Where the Columbia River Meets the Pacific Ocean. Portland, Oreg., 1964.
Marshall, Don B. Oregon Shipwrecks. Portland, Oreg., 1984.
Wells, R.E., and Victor C. West. A Guide to Shipwreck Sites along the Oregon Coast, via Oregon US 101. R.E. Wells & V.C. West, 1984.
