S. S. Northern Pacific Shipwreck

On January 1, 1919 the S. S. Northern Pacific ran aground in a dense fog off Fire Island, New York. The ship was returning 2,973 sick and wounded soldiers to the United States.

Newspaper clipping

Scrapbook page

The Northern Pacific was a passenger ship on the Astoria to San Francisco run which had been acquired by the government for troop transport during World War I.  She was remodeled into barracks and equipped 6 guns. She made 13 round trips between Hoboken, New Jersey and Brest France.

The Navy immediately sent small ships to help move the soldiers to nearby destroyers and hospital ships.  They also rigged a breeches buoy to remove soldiers if the seas got too rough for the small life boats to reach the ship. 

Breeches buoy

Great Northern & breeches buoy rescue set-up

One of the surf boats capsized but the occupants were rescued by men who jumped into the cold water and carried them to shore.

Carrying men to shore

By January 4, all the soldiers aboard ship had been rescued.  After some of her heavy equipment was removed, the Northern Pacific was re-floated on January 18.

These photos were taken by pilot and Oregon State University graduate Estell (“Eck”) Rorick, who assisted in the rescue operations.

"E.H.R. eating a sandwich"

By Martha Fraundorf, Volunteer for Benton County Historical Society, Philomath, Oregon