1928 — Aug 9, storm, steamer William A. McKenney, loses men overboard, coast of CA–  14

Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 2-15-2025 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/-

—  14  Charleston Gazette (WV).  “Steamer Reported as Lost in Storm,” August 20, 1928, p. 2.

—  14  U.S. Steamboat-Inspection Service.  Annual Report 1929, p. 15.

Narrative Information

U.S. Steamboat-Inspection Service: “On August 9, 1928, while the steamer William A. McKenney was on a voyage from San Pedro, Calif., to Boston, Mass., in approximately latitude 21 [degrees] 28’ N., longitude 108 [degrees] 21’ W., a terrific cyclone was encountered, and while the tarpaulin on No. 3 hatch was being replaced, 14 men were washed overboard and drowned….as no licensed officer was deemed at fault the case was dismissed.”  (U.S. Steamboat-Inspection Service.  Annual Report 1929, p. 15.)

Newspapers

Aug 14: “Boston, Aug. 14 (UP) – Several members of the crew of the lumber steamer William A. McKenney were lost in a storm at sea while the vessel was enroute from Los Angeles to Boston, according to word received here by the Mystic Steamship Company, which operates the McKenney….It was reported that the steamer had about thirty-five men aboard when caught in the storm.  Not seriously damaged, the vessel was reported proceeding under its own power to the Panama Canal zone.” (Fresno Bee, CA. “Lumber Ship Loses Part of Crew in Storm,” Aug 14, 1928.)

Aug 19: “Panama City, Panama, Aug. 19 – Reports that the steamer William McKenney was lost with 14 men during a storm off the California coast, gained credence here today when the motor ship Santos, of the Johnson Line, arrived and reported losing second officer…who was washed overboard during a heavy sea off the California coast.” (Charleston Gazette, WV. “Steamer Reported as Lost in Storm,” August 20, 1928, p. 2.)

Sources

Charleston Gazette, WV. “Steamer Reported as Lost in Storm,” 8-20-1928, p. 2.  Accessed at:  http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=137367212

Fresno Bee, CA. “Lumber Ship Loses Part of Crew in Storm,” 8-14-1928. Accessed at:  http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=45853095

United States Steamboat-Inspection Service. Annual Report of the Supervising Inspector General, Steamboat-Inspection Service to the Secretary of Commerce for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 1929. Washington, DC:  Government Printing Office, 1929.  Digitized by Google.  Accessed at:  http://books.google.com/books?id=oafNAAAAMAAJ