1892 – Oct 6, LA CA whaling bark Helen Mar crushed by two icebergs, Chukchi Sea, AK-27

–27 Alaskashipwreck.com. Alaska Shipwrecks. “Alaska Shipwrecks 1800-1899.”
–27 Wrecksite.eu. “SV Helen Mar (+1892).” Accessed 11-8-2021.

Narrative Information

Alaskashipwreck.com. Alaska Shipwrecks: “Helen Mar (1892). The whaling bark Helen Mar was crushed between two icebergs in a swift current and lost along with 27 of her crew in the Chukchi Sea October 6, 1892 northwest of Point Barrow. The 5th Mate William Ward, Boat steerer Antonio Pangalino, Cook Acey Kashaw, Sailor Penores and Sailor Katsura clung to the main mast as the Helen Mar sank and escaped onto the ice. They were picked up two days later by the steam whaler Orca. Two of the survivors were then taken to San Francisco aboard the Beluga. Lost with the Helen Mar were:
1. Captain O E Thaxter
2. Chief Officer W E Handy
3. 3rd Officer Jonquin Miner
4. 4th Officer John O’Hara
5. Boat steerer Antonio Lietz
6. Boat steerer Louis Antone
7. Boat steerer Frank Birch
8. Boat steerer C Nelson
9. Steward Willis Bray
10. Cooper and Carpenter C Cook
11. Sailmaker W A Jellison
12. Seaman Walter E Mitchell
13. Seaman Thomas Gordon
14. Seaman William Cameron
15. Seaman Charles Petrosch
16. Seaman Oscar Kiff
17. Seaman John Abott
18. Seaman William Gardiner
19. Seaman Robert Patterson
20. Seaman Andrew Wilson
21. Seaman George Father
22. Seaman Frank Dobson
23. Seaman Thomas Wallace
24. Seaman Joseph Mirando
25. Seaman Frank Wagner
26. Seamen A Martinez
27. Unknown crewman
“The Helen Mar was built at New Bedford in 1855 and was 110 feet in length. She was valued at $20,000 and her cargo valued at $35,000 to $45,000.

“Mapping and Location: Northern Alaska 71 30 N 169 30 W Chart 16003.

“Additional Information: ON 11926.

“Sources: 1. Lewis and Dryden’s Marine History of the Pacific Northwest (1895)(1961 reprint) Pg 406, 2. San Francisco Chronicle (November 7, 1892) “An Arctic Disaster” Pg 3, 3. Merchant Vessels of the U S (1892) Pg 139.” (Alaskashipwreck.com. Alaska Shipwrecks. “Alaska Shipwrecks A – Z.”)

Wrecksite.eu:
Nationality American
Purpose: Hunting
Type: Whaler
Propulsion: Sailing Ship
Tonnage: 308 nrt
Material: Wood
Rigging: 3 masts
Cause lost: Ice
Reasons: Foundered
Date lost: 06/10/1892
Casualties: Max. 27
Owner: Wright, Owen & Co., Los Angeles
Captain: Baxter
Crew: 46
(Wrecksite.eu. “SV Helen Mar (+1892).” Accessed 11-8-2021.)

Sources

Alaskashipwreck.com. Alaska Shipwrecks. “Alaska Shipwrecks 1800-1899.” Accessed 11-8-2021 at: https://alaskashipwreck.com/alaska-shipwrecks-1729-2012/alaska-shipwrecks-1800-1899/

Alaskashipwreck.com. Alaska Shipwrecks. “Alaska Shipwrecks A – Z.” Accessed 11-8-2021 at: https://alaskashipwreck.com/shipwrecks-a-z/alaska-shipwrecks-h/

Wrecksite.eu. “SV Helen Mar (+1892).” Entered by Chipchase Nick 10-16-2013 and updated 10-26-2016. Accessed 11-8-2021 at: 11-8-2021 at: https://www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?207614