July 25, 1933, 2:38 a.m., the S.S. Northwestern strikes at full speed a reef off Sentinel Island in Lynn Canal twenty-five miles north of Juneau. The vessel is beached on the sandy bottom of Eagle River to prevent sinking, and 180 passengers are put in lifeboats and lowered over the side. At low tide, salvage crews hurry to staunch hull leaks with concrete. After it is apparent the ship will remain upright, passengers are reboarded and at the return rush of high tide, the ship is floated. The Northwestern turns south for the five day trip to Seattle-to dry dock and repairs totaling $65,000. On the evening of the accident the sky was clear, suffused with Alaska's long summer light. The Sentinel Island lighthouse beacon was lit, and the lighthouse keeper had repeatedly warned the Northwestern with his fog horn. In a much-publicized trial after the incident, both ship master and second officer receive license suspensions. On 13 October 1933, The Alaska Weekly reports "Wreck of Northwestern Blamed to Negligence." - NPS
| Y/M/D | Description | Place |
|---|---|---|
| 1933/07/24 | NORTHWESTERN departs Skagway, heading south. | Skagway, Alaska |
| 1933/07/25 | At full speed, NORTHWESTERN strikes a reef off the northwestern tip of Sentinel Island despite the Lighthouse's light and fog horn. With a breached hull, she is safely beached at the mouth of Eagle River. | Sentinel Island Light Station, Juneau |
| 1933/07/25 | At full speed, NORTHWESTERN strikes a reef off the northwestern tip of Sentinel Island despite the Lighthouse's light and fog horn. With a breached hull, she is safely beached at the mouth of Eagle River. | SS NORTHWESTERN Shipwreck Site, Unalaska Island |
| 1933/07/25 | The 180 passengers aboard the NORTHWESTERN are immediately placed in lifeboats and lowered over the side. When it was determined safe, the passengers returned to the ship. | |
| 1933/07/30 | After the temporary repairs are made to her hull, The NORTHWESTERN is refloated and slowly sails to Juneau. She arrived in Seattle, Washington under her own power 5 days later. |
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.