La Feliz

The steam freighter La Feliz, en route from Monterey to San Francisco with a cargo of 3,000 cases of canned sardines, was caught in heavy seas and dashed against an outcropping of rocks off Santa Cruz, California. A line thrown from shore to the vessel by Joe Alvarez (local baseball player and employee of Walti slaughterhouse) allowed all 13 crew to make shore. No lives were lost. Owned by the Linden Steamship Company of San Francisco, the vessel was valued at $30,000 and insured for $25,000. The mast is still standing against the cliff at Terrace Point, Santa Cruz (Griggs 2020).

The vessel was built in 1904 as the freight and passenger steamer Islander by J.A. Scribner in Newhall, Washington. Ownership of the Islander changed several times between 1917-1921 (Andrew Newhall, Helm & Co., Fred Hooper, Knapp & Baxter, Frank P. Helm, Charles Schmitz or Schmidts); and its career included the San Juan Islands mail route (~1904-1914), a brief stint with the U.S. Army (Oct 1917), and in the Mexican coast trade (1917-1921). The details of its name change after 1921 are unknown. According to the Santa Cruz Evening News (16-Aug-1923), the steamer La Feliz (owner unknown) arrived in Monterey from San Francisco on its maiden trip. In July 1924, the La Feliz (Linden Steamship Company) listed Santa Cruz as a port stop every Wednesday and Saturday, and at Moss Landing and Monterey twice a week (Santa Cruz Evening News, 14-Jul-1924).

Ship Stats:

Vessel Type: Steam Freighter
Casualty Location: Santa Cruz (at present day Terrace Point), Santa Cruz County, California, USA
Location Status: Located (see Important Note)
Casualty Date: 1924 (Oct 1)
Owner: Linden Steamship Company
Home Port: San Francisco, California, USA
Length: 72.0 feet Beam: 18.9 feet
Gross Tonnage: 102 Cargo: canned sardines
Builder: J.A. Scribner (as Islander)
Launched: 1904 (Newhall, Washington, USA)
Official Number: 201240

Nature of Casualty:

Click each newspaper clipping image to view the full transcription text.

• 

  Transcription: 13 LUCKY FOR CREW AND DOG, NOT FOR SHIP
  
  Victims of Wrecking of Motor Schooner La Feliz Saved by Life Line in Night Crash
  
  SANTA CRUZ, Oct. 2. —Thirteen sailed and thirteen were saved. Whether the omen was lucky or unlucky is still puzzling the crew of the little motor schooner La Feliz, pounding to pieces in the surf two miles north of Santa Cruz light, where she was tossed last night by the waves and from which the men were rescued by a freak of the sea and a lucky cast of a line from the cliffs.
  
  Badly battered by her first impact upon the rocks, the vessel began breaking up soon after daylight and Captain G. Eliason and his crew, waiting only to change to dry clothing provided by Sheriff H. V. Trafton, hurried back to the scene in an attempt to salvage the 3,000 cases of sardines which made up the cargo.
  
  Only one man was injured as the result of the near-miracle which saved the lives of the crew. Alec Lopez, second engineer, broke his left arm in the first crash, but came through the surf on the life line with the others. Even "Biscuits,” the fox terrier mascot, was brought ashore with no more than a wetting and the loss of his prestige as a mascot to worry about.
  
  Captain Eliason believes the disaster was caused by the mistake of an experienced hand at the wheel as the vessel hugged the shore to avoid a heavy sea on her way from Monterey to San Francisco. He is full of praise for Joe Alvarez, whose skillful cast of a line over the wreck made the rescue possible and for Will Gomez, who assisted him in hauling in the heavier line over which all were saved. He is full of wonder, too, at the trick of the sea which cast his vessel within reach of the line after impaling her too far out to be touched.
  
  Half stunned by the blow as a giant comber flung them upon the outlying rocks, they had given themselves up as lost when a second huge wave picked them up again and carried them to within twenty-five yards of the shore cliffs. After that, with resourceful men both ashore and afloat, the rescue was comparatively easy.
  
  The vessel, a craft of forty-eight tons net, was owned by the Linden Steamship Company of San Francisco. She was valued at $30,000 and insured for $25,000. The crew, all of whom live in San Francisco, are: A. Jacobson, first mate; E. Handyside, second mate; Theodore Markeley, chief engineer; Alec Lopez, second engineer; Fred Johnson, Gus Johansen, Clarence Luce, Joseph E. Berger, Antone Jacobsen, Ernest Zankis, Carl Hallen and James Smith, cook.
  
  Schooner La Feliz Pounding to Pieces Off Santa Cruz
  
  This remarkable photo, taken yesterday, shows the wreck of the motor Schooner La Feliz in the surf two miles north of Santa Cruz light, where she struck Wednesday night. The lucky passing of a line to the ship from shore saved the 13 persons on board.

  Source: San Francisco Examiner (San Francisco, CA), 3 October 1924, p.16, cols.2-5
  Courtesy of Newspapers.com

Additional Information: Wreck Event

Click each newspaper clipping image to view the full transcription text.

• 

  

  Transcription: Steamer La Feliz Pounding To Pieces; Kind Fate And Heroic Acts Save Twelve From Perishing

  Transcription: With the advent of low tide at six o'clock this morning the Linden Steamship company steamer La Feliz, which went on the Santa Cruz rocks at a point one-half mile above Swanton beach at nine o'clock last night, was beached high and dry, with one side wholly gone and most of its bottom torn away. Eleven of its crew of twelve men, all of whom were saved at one o’clock last night by means of a breeches buoy, were on hand at the scene of the disaster endeavoring to salvage whatever of the cargo and personal belongings was still usable. Oil smirched the breakers and entire shore line, and sardines, which made up the cargo of the vessel, were everywhere in evidence, among the seaweed and rocks. It was at nine o'clock last night when many residents were aroused to curiosity by the continued blowing of a shrill whistle, apparently at a point up the coast line in the direction of Wilder's ranch. Inquiry in every possible direction could bring no possible explanation of the unusual noise. Deputy Sheriff George Dennett, accompanied in his machine by a News representative, made diligent inquiry along the local waterfront. Meeting with no success here the two returned to the fire house, where an incoherent phone message, stating that "this is Mrs. Moore and you had better come quick; they are climbing the masts," had just been received. Thinking that the call may have been sent from the museum at Ocean Cliffs, Dennett and the newspaperman, accompanied by Dewey Johnson on his motorcycle, journeyed to the museum on another fruitless search. Just as the firehouse was reached on the second return journey, a phone message was received from Charles Moore, residing on the coast road next to the Walti slaughterhouse, who gave the exact location of the wrecked vessel. Officers Steiner, Hoover, and Johnson immediately responded, as did Deputy Sheriff Dennett and his party. The searchers arrived at the location of the wreck, which was at a point directly west of the Walti slaughter house, at eleven p. m., two hours after starting on their hunt. Charles Moore, who heard the boat's whistle and was the first to discover the wreck, was already on the cliff, as was Prohibition Officer Tomkins and a companion, who had also traced the sound of the whistling. The stranded vessel was then approximately 200 feet from shore, lying on its side, with terrific breakers sweeping its deck. Its crew was huddled on the topmost side, waving their one remaining lighted lantern. In this position nothing could be done from shore to aid the boat. The surf was one of the roughest of the season and the distance from shore prevented the throwing of a line to the vessel. Those on shore could occasionally understand the cries of the crew, the latter however, apparently hearing what was said from shore without much difficulty. “Help, for God’s sake,” was cried time after time, reaching those on shore. "We are getting help. It's on the way. Hold out a while longer." Thus would the shore watchers reassuringly reply. Then groans and more yells would be heard from the boat.

  Source: Santa Cruz Evening News (Santa Cruz, CA), 2 October 1924, p.1, cols.3-5
  Courtesy of California Digital Newspaper Collection, Center for Bibliographic Studies and Research, University of California, Riverside.

Additional Information: Vessel

Click each newspaper clipping image to view the full transcription text.

• 

  Transcription: THE "ISLANDER" IS LAUNCHED
  
  EVENT WITNESSED BY A LARGE CROWD MAY 14
  
  Dimensions and General Description of the Vessel--Owner Hopes to Have Her in Commission by July 1--Will Cost About $19,000.
  
  Andrew Newhall's new freight and passenger steamer "Islander" was successfully launched at Newhall at a few minutes past six o'clock Saturday afternoon. The day was auspicious in every way and the launching was witnessed by a large number of people from East Sound, Olga, Doe Bay and Blakely island, as well as by a number from Friday Harbor and other points and by the passengers of the Buckeye en route to Bellingham. The staunch and graceful vessel "took to the water" like a duck and as she started to slide down the ways Miss Loretta Newhall, eldest daughter of the owner, broke against the bow the traditional bottle of "champagne," the neck of which was gay with red, white and blue ribbons, and said " I christen thee ' Islander.' " Standing straight and true in her cradle the trim vessel slid quickly into the calm waters of Cascade bay, while the steamer Buckeye and revenue launch Guard whistled a shrill welcome and the crowd on shore waved their handkerchiefs and cheered. The vessel would have floated immediately upon the surface of the bay as gracefully as a sea gull, but for the fact that the cradle had not been sufficiently ballasted to remain on the ways and allow the vessel to go free, but clung tenaciously to the hull, held there by the upward pressure of the water. After an unsuccessful effort to get the cradle out Sunday it was beached and weighted down with rock and the vessel floated easily on the next high tide and was towed to Bellingham where the work of putting in the machinery and piping is now under way.
  
  After the launching, a fine lunch, including ice cream and cake and tea and coffee, was served by Mrs. Newhall and daughters at the boarding house of the Cascade Bay Lumber Company. It was a very enjoyable occasion and many were the congratulations extended to Mr. Newhall upon the successful launching and many the compliments upon the staunch and trim appearance of the "Islander," which all hope will be popular with the people and profitable for her owner.
  
  The "Islander" is a trifle over 82 feet in length over all, 19 ½ feet beam and 9 feet depth of hold. She was designed by and built under the supervision of J. A. Scribner, of Friday Harbor. Only the best material has been used and her construction is exceptionally strong. Her ribs are ten inches wide and only twelve inches apart and she is stiffened at frequent intervals by very heavy oak knees, natural bend. Her planking inside and outside is of 2 1/4-inch fir. The "house" on the tonnage deck extends the full length of the vessel and is seven feet high. In this space, astern of the engine room, will be the ladies' cabin, which will be at the stern, as on the Buckeye, two state rooms, the dining room and cook's galley. The fore part will be the main freight deck. Above this will be the men's cabin, back of which there will be four state rooms. Above the men's cabin will be a "Texas," containing the pilot house and state rooms for the captain and mate. Comfortable quarters for a portion of the crew will be fitted up below the tonnage deck, in front of the engine room.
  
  The machinery will consist of a fore and aft compound engine (10-23-14) which is expected to develop 200-horse power under a 150-pound head of steam from two boilers each 5x9. The shaft is five inches in diameter, with a five and one-half-inch crank. When completely equipped and ready for service the "Islander"' will have cost Mr. Newhall about $19,000. He hopes to have her in commission by the first of July.

  Source: The San Juan Islander (Friday Harbor, WA), 21 May 1904, p.1, cols.2-3
  Courtesy of Newspapers.com

• 

  Transcription: NEW BOAT ARRIVES
  
  The steamer “La Feliz” arrived in Monterey on Tuesday from San Francisco on its maiden trip. The boat is to call at Monterey regularly and will specialize in carrying sardines.

  Source: Santa Cruz Evening News (Santa Cruz, CA), 16 August 1923, p.6, col.4
  Courtesy of California Digital Newspaper Collection, Center for Bibliographic Studies and Research, University of California, Riverside.

• 

  Transcription: LINDEN STEAMSHIP CO. ENTERS LOCAL FIELD
  
  Representatives of the Linden Steamship company have been in Santa Cruz for the past several days and after looking over the local field have decided to list Santa Cruz as one of their ports of freight service and like the Santa Cruz and Monterey Steamship company, will have an office in the municipal wharf warehouse, close to the main entrance on the right.
  
  Sunday Faraola, manager of the Western Fish company, informed The News yesterday that the new company will be ready for business this week and will appoint a local representative to attend to their interests here.
  
  The Linden Steamship company have special dock service at pier number 23 in San Francisco, and the maiden trip of their modern freighter, the La Feliz, will be made on Wednesday, when it will dock here at 8 o'clock.
  
  According to present plans the La Feliz will call at this port every Wednesday and Saturday. The La Feliz will also call at Moss Landing and Monterey twice a week.

  Source: Santa Cruz Evening News (Santa Cruz, CA), 14 July 1924, p.5, col.4
  Courtesy of California Digital Newspaper Collection, Center for Bibliographic Studies and Research, University of California, Riverside.

Referenced and Additional Resources

Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Navigation. 1905. Thirty-seventh Annual List of Merchant Vessels of the United States. Washington, Government Printing Office. p.249. (as Islander)

Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Navigation. 1924. Fifty-sixth Annual List of Merchant Vessels of the United States. Washington, Government Printing Office. p.62.

Griggs, G. 2020. Our Ocean Backyard: County avoids spate of shipwrecks. Santa Cruz Sentinel Published [26-SEP-2020].

Reinstedt, R.A. 1975. Shipwrecks and Sea Monsters of California’s Central Coast. Ghost Town Publications, Carmel, CA. 168pp.