Our rugged Pacific Northwest coastline has long been known for its beauty, but a storied past lies beneath its rolling pewter waves. This stretch of tumultuous water is known as the Graveyard of the Pacific, having claimed over 2,000 ships and countless lives. Traveling along this coastline, you’ll find tales of ghostly boats, lost treasures, and tragic endings steeped in mystery. Today, we’ll dive deep into the legends and history surrounding the Graveyard of the Pacific and explore some landmarks contributing to its intriguing story.
Tales of the Tempest: Why the Shoreline Earned its Name
Why is this area so dangerous, earning it the chilling moniker of the Graveyard of the Pacific? The answer lies in the unique combination of factors that conspire against sailors who dared to cross its waters. The confluence of the Columbia River and the Pacific Ocean creates a perfect storm of swift currents, shifting sandbars, and violent weather. The Columbia River Bar is infamous for its unpredictability, often transforming from calm seas to passionate swells within minutes. Fog rolls in without warning, and rogue waves rise suddenly. Even with modern technology, this region remains challenging, but it was nothing short of perilous in the age of wooden ships.
Shadows in the Surf: Notable Shipwrecks of the Graveyard of the Pacific
Some of the most famous shipwrecks in this maritime graveyard remain etched in the memories of locals and historians alike. Each shipwreck adds to the lore of the Graveyard of the Pacific, with stories of mysterious disappearances and brave attempts to survive against the odds.
U.S.S. Peacock:
In 1841, the U.S.S. Peacock attempted to enter the mouth of the Columbia River and ran aground on a sandbar. For twenty-four hours, the crew struggled to save the ship. When the captain realized the fruitless endeavor, he ordered the crew to salvage supplies and abandon their efforts. The ship met its watery fate, but the crew managed to escape. The sandy, shallow area of the wreckage has been called “Peacock Spit” since the historic encounter.
Admiral Benson:
The Admiral Benson was a steamship carrying passengers on a foggy February evening in 1930. Like other ships colliding with our hidden sand bars, Admiral Benson ran aground near the North Jetty. Crews rescued all passengers, while the captain remained behind to try and salvage the ship. The weather was not on his side. Battering winds and raging waves piled more sand against the floundering vessel, forcing the captain to accept the inevitable. Currents eventually pulled the ship below the waves, where it remains today. Benson Beach now bears the name of the notable wreckage.
Vandalia:
In 1853, Capt. E. N. Beard commanded the Vandalia, sailing from San Francisco. On a chilly January day, a passing ship, the Grecian, reported that the Vandalia was struggling slightly, though not in visible distress. That was the last sighting of the vessel. No one knows what happened in the mysterious hours that followed. Several days later, the ship’s wreckage littered the famed Benson Beach. There were no survivors. Several lost souls would later wash ashore in secret coves along the coast, creating haunting monikers for those resting spots we still use today.
Beard’s Hollow: Where Land Meets Legend
Image Courtesy of: Robyn Unruh
One such cove is the tranquil Beard’s Hollow. Named after Vandalia’s Capt. E. N. Beard, you’ll find this area nestled between the cliffs of Cape Disappointment and the often unforgiving Pacific Ocean. It was the sandy shore where Capt. Beard’s body came to rest after the ship’s sinking in the Graveyard of the Pacific. Now forever-coined Beard’s Hollow, today the inlet is a beautiful place for peaceful walks while looking for sand dollars.
Deadman’s Cove: A Haunting Beauty
Beard’s Hollow isn’t the only coastline hideaway to receive Vandalia’s post-sinking notoriety. Deadman’s Cove offers another glimpse into the past. Rescuers found several lost crew members from the wreck in this hidden dimple along the coastline. The cove’s serene beauty ebbs away its grim past. Visitors today can hike down the trail to the veiled beach below. You’ll find the secretive beach on the hike toward Cape Disappointment Lighthouse. A simple spray-painted sign marks the slippery slope down to the beach. Once there, pick your way through the bleached bones of driftwood, all while imagining the shipwrecks that make the Graveyard of the Pacific infamous.
Artifacts of the Sea: Exploring the Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum
Image Courtesy of: Corey Dembeck
Our concealed coves aren’t the only place to dig up details from Davy Jones’ locker. The Graveyard of the Pacific continues to tell its stories through the artifacts salvaged from shipwrecks over the centuries. You’ll find relics from the maritime disasters along our coast at the Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum. From tools used by sailors to fragments of ships, each piece offers a glimpse into the perilous life on the Pacific. Every artifact is a window into an uncertain past, where the ocean could be both a livelihood and a tomb.
The Willapa Seaport Museum: Preserving the Legacy of Lost Ships
At the Willapa Seaport Museum, visitors can delve even deeper into the waves of the Graveyard of the Pacific. This museum houses an impressive collection of artifacts recovered from the seabed. Each item tells a unique tale of the sailors who braved – and sometimes failed – the journey. Maritime maps, navigational tools, and remnants of sunken ships paint a vivid picture of the daily dangers those who sailed these waters faced. It’s a must-visit for those interested in uncovering the secrets of this hauntingly beautiful coastline.
Tempestuous Views from the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center
Image Courtesy of: Jason Hummel
Head higher on our cliffs for those looking for a bird’s eye perspective. Perched 200 feet above the powerful surf of the Graveyard of the Pacific, the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center offers visitors a sweeping view of the coastline. From this vantage point, it’s easy to see why this area earned its fearsome reputation. The ocean below churns relentlessly, and the wind howls as if carrying the voices of lost sailors. Inside the center, exhibits detail the area’s history, including its many shipwrecks, with artifacts that serve as a testament to the lives lost at sea.
The Grave of the Unknown Soldiers: A Sobering Reflection in Oysterville
Image Courtesy of: Danelle Dodds
As a final tribute to the Graveyard of the Pacific, visit the peaceful Oysterville Cemetery. There, you’ll find a weathered, wooden sign recognizing the grave of the Unknown Sailors. These lost souls, buried far from home, are sailors who perished in the ocean and washed ashore. Their identities remain a mystery, and the salt-kissed sign serves as a moving memorial to the bravery of those who tackled the sea.
The Graveyard of the Pacific: A Legacy of Resilience
Image Courtesy of: Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum
The history of the Graveyard of the Pacific is more than simply a story of shipwrecks. It tells a tale of perseverance and community. It invokes the legends of brave men and women who yearned for the horizon and challenged Mother Nature. Our storied shoreline unfurls like a scroll of valor and courage. As you explore our landmarks, you’ll uncover the legacy of those whose dreams were bigger than the ocean.
Feature Image Courtesy of: Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum
