Newspaper Archives

About This Archive

This is a collection based on historical newspaper archives documenting maritime accidents and casualties. Unlike traditional shipwreck databases that focus primarily on total losses, this archive captures vessels that were stranded and recovered, partial losses, and obscure incidents often missing from websites, books and historical shipwreck databases.

How to Use:

  • Search: Enter a vessel name in the console below to find specific reports.

  • Filter: Use the dropdowns to narrow results by Wreck Type (e.g., Stranding, Collision) or Incident Year.

  • Browse: Select a letter from the A-Z Index to view the catalog alphabetically.

This database is a primary source tool for researchers regarding maritime incidents.

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Chatham

Chatham

VESSEL: Ferry
TYPE: Collision
DATE: August 29, 1960
SIZE:
BUILT: 1922
BUILDER:
LOCATION: Hudson River off lower Manhattan, New York

SUMMARY:
The ferry Chatham was struck by the rail-car carrier Seatrain Georgia in heavy morning fog on the Hudson River between Hokoken and Manhattan. The Chatham was approaching its slip at Barclay Street after completing a 7 minute voyage across the Hudson when the 503 foot long Seatrain Georgia attempted to pass in front of ferry, but struck just behind the funnel along the starboard hull. The Chatham sustained a 40 to 50 foot wide hole and 2 feet depth, but only 1 compartment flooded. When authorities first heard of the collision, a fireboat, Coast Guard helicopter and cutter, and a police launch was sent to assist. The police evacuated some of the passengers off the ferry using a lifeboat, but many chose to remain aboard. Multiple tugs arrived on site and were able to nudge the ferry to its Manhattan slip at Chamber Street. There were 13 people injured during the incident and taken to Beekman-Downtown hospital. The Chatham was later salvaged.

REFERENCE:
Gloucester County Times (Woodbury, New Jersey). August 29, 1960. Page 2.
The New York Times (New York, New York). August 30, 1960. Page 1.
The Mariners’ Museum and Park https://catalogs.marinersmuseum.org/object/ARI77975

+ Structured Data
Vessel Name: Chatham
Vessel Type: Passenger Ferry
Built Year: 1922
Incident Type Collision
Incident Date: 1960-08-29
Incident Year: 1960
Location – By Water: Hudson River
Location – By Land: Manhattan, New York
Lives Lost: 0 deaths
All Hands: false
Injuries: 13 injured
Photo Exist: true
Weather: Heavy Fog
Total or Recovered: Recovered
Wreck Type: Collision

Cherokee

VESSEL: Steamer
TYPE: Stranded
DATE: January 12, 1906
SIZE:
BUILT:
MASTER: Captain Archibald
LOCATION: Atlantic Ocean, Brigantine Shoals, New Jersey

SUMMARY:
The Steamer Cherokee ran aground in the Atlantic Ocean on Brigantine Shoals off New Jersey on January 12, 1906. The Cherokee departed from San Domingo bound for New York with a cargo of raw sugar and 60 passengers when it became lost in thick fog. Unable to gain its bearings, the steamer ran up on Brigantine Shoals.

Captain Mark Casto with a volunteer crew launched the 58 foot, 10 ton fishing schooner Alberta.  Provided with life belts, the volunteers reached the Cherokee. Rescuers would use a lifeboat from the steamer to safely transfer passengers and crew to the schooner. After 12 trips with the lifeboat, all were safely onboard the Alberta. The schooner returned to shore and there were no reports of injuries.

Two wrecking tugs and a lighter would later arrived on scene. Passenger baggage along with bags of mail would be later recovered.

REFERENCE:
The Carnegie Hero Fund Commission https://www.carnegiehero.org/hero-search/mark-casto/
The New York Times (New York, New York). January 15, 1906. Page 1.
Marine Review 33, no. 3 (January 18, 1906): 41.

 

+ Structured Data
Vessel Name: Cherokee
Vessel Type: Steamer
Built Year:
Incident Type: Grounding
Incident Date: 1906-01-12
Incident Year: 1906
Location – By Water: Brigantine Shoals, Atlantic Ocean
Location – By Land: Atlantic City, New Jersey
Lives Lost: 0 deaths
All Hands: false
Injuries: 0 injured
Photo Exist: true
Master: Archibald
Weather: Dense Fog
Outcome: Recovered

Consuelo

VESSEL: Steamer
TYPE: Grounding
DATE: March 25, 1903
SIZE:
BUILT:
MASTER:
LOCATION: Shovelful Shoal, Cape Cod, Massachusetts

SUMMARY:
The four-masted steamer Consuelo departed from Boston when dense fog prevailed in the area for several days.  On the morning of March 25, the fog finally lifted and the Consuelo departed for New York where the steamer would load additional cargo. As the steamer proceeded southward in the navigation channel, the Consuelo reached Shovelful Shoal and struck a “uncharted lump”. The steamer suddenly stopped in the channel. The lifesaving station at Monomoy spotted the stranded steamer and launched the surfboat to assist.  Before the surfboat reached the steamer, the Consuelo was able to free itself and proceeded on its course over the shoals. The steamer continued on its voyage with no serious damage.

The cause of the grounding was attributed to the Consuelo’s great size and heavily laden for the reason the steamer struck bottom while other moderate-sized vessels did not.

REFERENCE:
The Boston Globe (Boston, Massachusetts). March 25, 1903. Page 8.

+ Structured Data
Vessel Name: Consuelo
Vessel Type: Steamer
Country or Flag: Great Britain
Wreck Type: Grounding
Incident Type: Grounding
Incident Date: 1903-03-25
Incident Year: 1903
Incident Month: 3
Incident Day: 25
Location – By Water: Shovelful Shoal
Location – By Land: Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Lives Lost: 0 deaths
All Hands: false
Injuries: 0 injured
Photo Exist: false
Weather:
Notes: Ran aground on uncharted lump in channel near Shovelful Shoal
Total or Recovered: Recovered
Departure Port: Boston, Massachusetts
Destination Port: New York, New York
Cargo: