The Loss of the Peter Iredale

Early in the morning of October 25, 1906 the four-masted steel barque, Peter Iredale, grounded on the Pacific beach just south of the Columbia River. The ship was built in 1890 of iron frames and riveted steel plates in Maryport, England for the shipping firm of Iredale and Porter. At nearly 300 feet in length and able to carry 2000 tons of cargo she was one of the largest merchant ships afloat and considered a fast and fine vessel. She departed Salina Cruz, Mexico with 1000 tons of ballast bound for Portland to load grain. At two A. M. on the 25th the light at Tillamook was sighted and Captain Lawrence altered course to stand off for the night, take a pilot and enter the Columbia River daylight. Strong currents and a sudden shift in wind drove the ship towards shore. A strong squall prevented the crew from maneuvering and the Peter Iredale was driven ashore. With the assistance of local life saving crews all 27 crew (which included two stowaways) were safely taken off the stricken ship. Captain Lawrence was the last to come ashore and he carried with him his sextant, logbook and a bottle of whisky, which he immediately shared out among the crew. Due to the unfortunate circumstances of the night and the vagaries of the sea the ship was a total loss. Ninety-five years later just the bones of her bows and the stumps of her masts are all that remain in the sands to the south of the Columbia River bar.