1906 — Nov 18, Steamers Dix and Jeanie Collide, Dix sinks, Puget Sound, WA –42-45

lornajarrettblanchard November 18, 1906

— ~50 Helena Semi-Weekly Independent, MT. “Captain Lermond Blamed.” 1-8-1907, p. 13.[1]

— >50 Philadelphia Inquirer, PA. “Says Mate Was Cause of Wreck.” 12-2-1906, p. 14.

— 50 Fairbanks Evening News, AK. “More of Dix Horror.” 11-25-1906, p. 1. [Nov 22 report]

— 50 Morning Oregonian, Portland. “Mate Was Not Competent.” 11-23-1906, p. 6.[2]

— 49 Oregon Sunday Journal, Portland. “Will Sink Like Gas Pipes.” 11-25-1906, p. 1.

— 47 Daily Californian, Bakersfield. “Death List Increasing. Five More Victims.” 11-20-1906.

— 46 World Today. “The Calendar of the Month. United States.” V12, N1, Jan 1907, p. 109.

–42-45 Blanchard estimated range.[3]

— 45 Berman, Bruce D. Encyclopedia of American Shipwrecks. 1972, p. 208.

–39-45 Gibbs. Shipwrecks of the Pacific Coast. 1957, p. 90.[4]

— 44 Blanchard tally of named dead or missing (or nationality) listed in newspapers.

— 42 Anaconda Standard, MT. “General Chronology of Events…Year,” 12-30-1906, p. 34.

— 42 Harrell. “Ceremony to Mark Worst Maritime Disaster in Puget Sound History.” 2006.

— 42 U.S. Steamboat Inspection Service. Annual Report 1907, pp. 13 and 321.

— 41 Morning Oregonian, Portland. “Master Below Taking the Fares.” 11-19-1906, p. 5.

— 41 Captain Lermond statement to press Nov 19 (79 on board, 38 saved).[5]

— 40 U.S. Dept. of Commerce and Labor. Reports of the Department…1907. 1907, p. 373.[6]

— 39 Morning Oregonian, Portland. “Dix Sunk in Collision on Sound.” 11-19-1906, p. 1.

Narrative Information

Harrell: “It was not a dark and stormy night on Nov. 18, 1906. The moon had risen. There were no whitecaps and no wind as the Dix steamed from a Seattle dock to Port Blakeley on Bainbridge Island….

“The Dix was piloted by a confused and unlicensed ship’s mate who steered the Mosquito Fleet steamer into the much larger steamship Jeanie.[7] The Dix rolled like a log, split in two and sank, all within five minutes. Forty-two people died. ‘They didn’t have a chance,’ local maritime historian John Kelly said of the collision, which occurred two miles west of Alki. ‘It was a major catastrophe. There hasn’t been anything like it since.’

“The Dix remains 600 feet underwater in Puget Sound. While 35 people were rescued by the Jeanie, victims’ bodies never were recovered from the chilly waters, nor were pieces of the vessel….

“”The Dix tragedy was a shocking thing to happen; it came at a time when the Mosquito Fleet was the only way to travel because of the dense forests in the area, and 2 million people a year took these steamers,” said Andrea Mercado, director of the Log House Museum, home of the Southwest Historical Society. “Steamers were so safe and reliable, they went everywhere in Puget Sound, yet out of the blue this very tragic, very quick event occurred. It impacted small communities, and all of Seattle.”

“The Dix, smaller but fast and, according to newspaper articles, “more commodious,” was built in 1904 and replaced the Sarah M. Renton on the Seattle-Port Blakely run.

“The reason for the collision, Kelly said, is that “the captain was in the process of collecting fares.” It was common and often required of steamship captains to perform this service…

“Although ultimate blame fell on First Officer Charles Dennison, who was not licensed to pilot inland waters, Dix Capt. Percy Lermond also was faulted for failing to provide a lookout. Lermond’s license was revoked and later reinstated, and he continued to work as a ship’s master, though only on cargo ships…” (Harrell 2006)

US Dept. of Commerce: “November 18. — The steamers Dix and Jeanie, 130 tons and 1,071 tons, gross, respectively, were in collision just outside of Seattle Harbor, resulting in the sinking of the Dix and the loss of 40 lives. Dix valued at $20,000. Investigated November 21, 22, 23, 24 , 26, 27 , 30, and December 3. Decision December 15, revoking the license of Percy Lermond, master and pilot, in command of the steamer Dix, for negligence.” (U.S. Dept. of Commerce and Labor. Annual Report of the Secretary of Commerce and Labor. “Report of the Steamboat-Inspection Service.” p. 373.)

US SIS: “The collision between the steamers Dix and Jeanie on Puget Sound, on the night of November 18, 1906, when 42 of the 76 persons on board the Dix[8] lost their lives when that steamer sank…” (U.S. Steamboat Inspection Service. Annual Report 1907, p. 13.)

Newspapers

Nov 18: “Seattle, Wash., Nov. 18.–(Special)–The steamer Dix was run down and sunk off Alki Point tonight by the Steamer Jeanie, and 41 persons, including all but two members of the Dix crew, were lost. Tug Bahiti is cruising over the scene of the wreck, searching for bodies. The Jeanie and the steamer Florence K. are also out.

“The steamer Dix, bound from Seattle to Fort Blakely, attempted to cut across the bows of the steamer Jeanie, bound for Tacoma, when the steamers were off Alki Point. The steamer Dix does not carry a purser, and Captain Percy Lermond placed Mate Charles Dennison in charge and was going through the boat collecting fares. The Survivors of the wreck say the night was clear and that they could see the Jeanie bearing down on their starboard side, but the mate gave no indication that he saw the danger.

“The Jeanie drew so close to the Dix that Captain Mason made himself heard to man on the upper deck of the Dix as he called the warning: ‘Where in hell are you going?’

Dix Staggered by Blow.

“Mate Dennison might possibly have saved his vessel then if he had turned off but he attempted to clear the Jeanie. A moment later the crash came that knocked passengers to the floor and staggered both steamers. Panic-stricken passengers on the Dix rushed to the port side and she turned partially over, then righted herself and came up. Then the Dix slowly began to fill through the gaping hole in her starboard side and slowly went down aft.

“The nose of the Dix stuck clear out of the water and held there for five minutes. Passengers on the Dix fought like mad men and women to reach the decks and plunge overboard. From the cabin men smashed window lights and dragged themselves out into thee water. Those on the decks jumped, panic-stricken, into the Sound, while those on the lower decks and the men on the engine-room were caught like rats in a trap and were unable to help themselves.

Captain Leaps Overboard.

“Captain Lemond, busied in counting his cash, was seated in an upper cabin, and he leaped overboard. A deckhand followed from the Dix. Both were saved later, but all the other members of the steamer’s crew were lost.

“Only one girl, of a half dozen or more women aboard, was saved. She is 15-year-old Alice Simpson, of Port Blakeley, who was picked up by a lifeboat sent out from the Jeanie.

Numbed by Icy Water.

“As soon as the Jeanie had struck the steamer Dix, Captain Mason stopped his vessel and lowered two lifeboats. They picked up about 35 men struggling in the water. For three hours the Jeanie cruised about the spot, using her searchlight to aid in the life-saving work. The tide was running out and the men and women struggling in the water were rapidly carried out toward the open sea. The water of the Sound is bitter cold and the people in the water slowly gave way to numbness and sank before help could reach them.

“A few pieces of wreckage and some lifebelts from the Dix, as well as life-belts thrown overboard from the Jeanie, floated near the people in the water, but only a few of the Dix passengers could reach them.

“That the Dix was solely responsible for the accident is the story told by the survivors and the officers of the steamer Jeanie. Captain Mason insists that the Dix persisted in trying to cross his bows and this is not disputed by Captain Lermond. He was not at the wheel when the collision occurred, and is not in a position to explain the wreck.

“Passengers on deck say that for ten minutes the lights of the Jeanie could be seen and that the night was clear enough to have enabled Mate Dennison to have seen his danger clearly. That he paid no attention to the Jeanie is insisted on from both steamers. All versions of the wreck coincide in the statement that no signals were given.

Tide Carries Bodies to Sea.

“With the rapid flow of the tide out to sea the search for bodies will be an exceedingly difficult one. There is a fog hanging over parts of the Sound and the bay is full of debris that has floated down from the flooded rivers of Western Washington. Navigation is precarious and with the rapid flow of the tide many bodies will probably be washed away before they can be recovered.

“Early this morning the tug Tyee joined the search for missing bodies and the fleet of vessels now out will cruise down the Sound as far as Whidbey Island and look for the lost. It is not within reason to expect that any more persons will be saved. Though the collision between the Dix and the Jeanie occurred at 7:20 o’clock it was not reported in Seattle for nearly three and a half hours.

“The Jeanie remained at the scent to search for survivors and stayed about the wreck as long as it was reasonably certain that any one lived in the water. Then she put in to Seattle to announce the catastrophe.

Little Time Given to Escape.

“Passengers on the Dix agree that not more than five minutes elapsed between the time she was struck and her sinking. In the meantime the boat had turned over on her port side and then righted herself before gong down aft. The sinking was so sudden that scarcely any time was given the passengers and crew to save themselves.

“The suddenness of the sinking is shown by the fact that no one escaped from the engine-room and not even Mate Dennison, in the pilot-house, had time to get out and jump into the water. Most of the passengers on the deck were saved, for they leaped overboard immediately. Those in the upper cabin had a fair chance for safety, but those below were penned in and drowned before they could make a move toward safety.

“Captain Lermond’s collections from the passengers showed 70 travelers, in addition to the six members of the crew, were aboard the boat. Thirty-six persons were saved. The list of saved and missing collected tonight fails to account for six persons. It is probable among these are the parents of Dan McEachren, but no one else has reported their loss.

“A brother of William Jones, one of the most prominent stevedores on the Sound, was said to have been aboard the boat, but this cannot be confirmed.

List of the Survivors [we omit]

“….James Smith, who was drowned, was the stepfather of Leonard Masters. Young Masters mother was also among the lost. Two years ago Masters’ father was drowned off a ship lying at the coal bunkers in Seattle, and his body was not recovered for seven weeks. Mrs. Masters afterward married Smith and tonight was drowned with her second husband and son….” (Morning Oregonian, Portland. “Master Below Taking the Fares.” 11-19-1906, p. 5.)

Nov 19, Account of Captain Mason of the Jeanie:

“I got away from Smith’s Cove a little before 7 o’clock, and laid a course for Tacoma. I had no passengers aboard. I saw the Dix headed for Port Blakeley and signaled to her. The mate was at the wheel. Suddenly the Dix came up astern of me to port. As soon as I saw the Dix was so close I called to the man in her pilot-house to know what he was doing. He put his wheel over to starboard and she started directly across my bows. I signaled to the engine-room of my vessel to back at full speed, but we could not get out of the way in time. The Jeanie was backing a little when we struck. I guess it was pretty well abaft of amidships, and the shock wasn’t enough to have injured an ordinary launce. The Dix listed heavily to starboard, righted herself, and then sank, stern first.”

Account of Captain Lermond of the Dix:

I don’t know how it happened. Charles Dennison, mate of the boat, was at the wheel. We were just about two miles due north of Alki Point, and running at the usual speed. There was nothing to hinder us. It was a fine, clear night and the water was like a mill-pond. I had seen the lights of a steamer on our starboard quarter some time before, but had not paid any attention to them. I went below to collect the fares. The boat was crowded. There were 70 passengers on board, and it was quite a task to get all the fares. I have been on the run for the past 13 years, and knew almost everybody aboard.

When I was in the ladies’ cabin, I heard the bell signal to stop. In a moment I thought that something must be wrong and rushed forward to see what was up. Just as I got on deck, on the starboard side, I saw the bow of a vessel loom up. Almost instantly she struck us. The jib boom crashed through just aft of amidships and heeled the Dix over like a top. She careened like a flash on her port bow and lay there for a minute or two with the water rushing in and all over.

I was thrown against the deckhouse. For an instant the wind was knocked out of me and I was almost paralyzed. The steamer lay for almost two minutes on her port beam. This was exactly at 7:24 o’clock, as my watch stopped then. In a moment I recovered by breath and sprang up on the house.

Just then the steamer heeled back to starboard. There was another rush of water, cries and screams of men, women and children. From below came sounds such as human ears have seldom heard. Many of the passengers were penned below and could not possibly escape. Then the steamer turned her bow up. She filled and her stern went slowly down, until the bow was standing straight half out of water.

For an instant I clung to the railing. The sight fascinated me by its horror. Lights were still burning and I could see people inside of the cabin. The expressions on the faces were of indescribable despair.

People on deck slid off into the water and went down shrieking and desperately clutching at the water or at the Jeanie, which still loomed only a few yards away. Within the sinking steamer pandemonium reigned. There were cries, prayers and groans from men and women, and the wail of a child and the shouts of those who were fighting desperately to gain the deck….

I leaped into the water, and managed to keep myself afloat. Others from the sunken steamer were floating near me. Every once in a while one who had been swimming until his strength gave out, would throw up his hands and, with a last despairing cry, sink. This happened time after time.

All around were floating heads which called for help and watched the Jeanie as she slowly came towards us and dropped boats, which moved here and there, picking up men in every direction. Finally a boat came to me. By that time I was indifferent and didn’t care whether I was saved or not. It must have been at least 25 minutes from the time the Jeanie struck us that the boats were got out, and I guess I was in the water another ten minutes. We were taken on board.

There were 38 of our 79 people on the steamship. The rest were drowned. There was no sign of my little steamer. She was gone completely, and before we left there was not even a ripple on the surface to mark the spot where the terrible tragedy had occurred.

I don’t think the vessel was very badly damaged by the collision. It was the heeling over on her port beam that caused her loss. She filled with water as soon as she went ovr, and this took her down.

“As to the cause of the accident, I cannot say. I was not on deck and don’t know how it happened. I heard my mate signal either one or two whistles. I am not sure which. I also heard him ring a stop bell.

I cannot understand myself how it could have happened. The night was almost as clear as day, and the sea was smooth. This is the first accident that has happened on any ship of mine during the 13 years I have been running on the Sound.

“Captain Lermond is a well-know navigator and has the reputation of being one of the ablest Sound pilots leaving Seattle. He is a man of about 45 and has been at sea since a boy. The Dix sank in 100 fathoms of water….” (Morning Oregonian, Portland. “Dix Sunk in Collision on Sound.” 11-19-1906, p. 1.)

Nov 20: “Seattle, Wash., Nov. 20. – The death list of the wrecked steamship Dix is creeping gradually up…making a total of 47 known dead as a result of the disaster. The body of Albert McDonald, one of the victims floated ashore at Al-Ki Point yesterday and was taken to Port Blakeley. Parties are still searching along the shores in the vicinity of where the Dix went down.

“Local United States marine inspectors will commence an investigation of the wreck tomorrow. Captain Mason of the Jeanie, which collided with the Dix, will be the first witness. To the list of missing compiled yesterday, the following have been added:

Jos. Bucher, ship caulker, Seattle;

George Burns, longshoreman, Port Blakeley;

Frank Gordon, mill hand, Port Blakeley;

Rogers, blacksmith, Port Blakeley;

W. Guel, caulker.

“Several others reported missing last night were found today alive and uninjured.” (Daily Californian, Bakersfield. “Death List Increasing. Five More Victims.” 11-20-1906, 1.)

Nov 21: “ Seattle, Wash., Nov 21.–A rigid investigation of the wreck of the steamer Dix through collision with the steamer Jeanie in Seattle harbor Sunday night was begun this morning by United States Inspectors Bion B. Whitney and Robert Turner. The community is appalled at the heavy loss of life and is almost in the mood to urge drastic action by the inspectors, which will prohibit captains of Sound boats from leaving the wheel during the voyages for the collection of fares.

“Captain Mason of the Jeanie was the first witness called and was on the stand the major portion of the day. He declared all the Jeanie’s lights were on. He saw the Dix coming. He hailed the Dix, but got no reply. When he saw the Dix heading for the Jeanie’s bows he called out to find what it was doing. Getting no reply he gave three sharp whistle blasts, indicating that he was going to reverse the Jeanie’s engines. No return signal came.

“The Dix struck the Jeanie a glancing blow and keeled over. The Jeanie did not strike the Dix, as she was backing at the time.

“The rule for inland navigation, article 1930, statute at large 101, says:

When two steam vessels are crossing so as to involve the risk of collision, the vessel which has the other on her own starboard side shall keep out of the way of the other.

“The Dix had the Jeanie on her own starboard side. This new point caused a sensation, and marine men unite in saying it clears the Jeanie’s master beyond doubt.

“Captain Mason said: ‘I had two quarter-boats in the water within four minutes of the time of the collision and several minutes before the Dix went down.’

“Captain Lermond will probably be the next witness and may be called late this afternoon.” (Oregon Daily Journal, Portland. “What Made Dix Go Down?” 11-21-1906, p. 2.)

Nov 22: “Seattle, Wash., Nov. 22.–A charge of manslaughter may grow out of the Dix disaster. Investigation of the records in the office of the United States Steamboat Inspectors has developed the fact that Charles Dennison, who was at the wheel of the Dix at the time of the collision, and who lost his life with 49 others, had a license simply to act as mate, not as pilot. Dennison had been under the command of Captain Lermond for more than two months. In his testimony yesterday before the inspectors Lermond declared that he did not think Dennison was capable of taking care of the vessel, and that he tried to discharge him, but that the owners came to the mate’s rescue and would not let him go.

“Secretary Metcalfe sent word this morning that the local civil authorities would handle the prosecution of the guilty persons and not the Federal Court. A deputy from the Prosecuting Attorney’s office will be present at the hearing, and if the evidence justifies issuance of a warrant, Prosecuting Attorney Mackintosh declares he will issue it. Gross ignorance of marine laws was displayed by Captain Lermond on the stand yesterday, and should a charge of manslaughter be placed against him, action will also be taken against the owners of the ill-fated craft for forcing Lermond to retain Mate Dennison.

“The boat was under lease by the Port Blakeley Mill Company, in which many wealthy men are stockholders.

“At the investigation of the Dix disaster this morning it developed that there was but one engineer on board the steamship Jeanie the night of the collision. Chief Engineer Grant remained ashore, leaving Engineer Jackson in charge. He did not notify Captain Mason, however. The second assistant engineer had resigned just before the vessel sailed, and Captain Mason was not aware there was but one engineer below until the morning after the wreck.

“The owners of the Dix have libeled the Jeanie for $35,000 as the result of the accident.

“Captain William Todd, master of the schooner Invincible, was called by the Marine Inspectors to give evidence in the investigation into the sinking of the Dix last Sunday evening. The substance of his testimony was that a collision could have been avoided if both vessels had kept on their course. He sighted the Jeanie five minutes before the collision. He escaped by climbing up the bobstays of the steamer and later threw a line to little Leonard Masters and drew him on board.

“The evidence of the afternoon session tended to show that there was a laxity in the handling of the Dix and it also involves other Puget Sound boats. Tomorrow the captains of three other Sound steamers are to be called. Captain Mason alleges that two steamers passed him while he was signaling for assistance, but paid no attention to the calls.” (Morning Oregonian, Portland. “Mate Was Not Competent.” 11-23-1906, p. 6.)

Nov 22: “Seattle, Nov. 22. – a charge of manslaughter may grow out of the wreck of the Dix. It has developed that Mate Dennison was not a licensed pilot and it was a violation of law to leave a man in charge of a vessel not holding such a license. Prosecuting Attorney McIntosh has commenced an investigation and warrants for the arrests of persons responsible for the disaster may be issued.” (Daily Californian, Bakersfield. “Manslaughter May Be Charged…Dix Disaster.” 11-22-1906.)

Nov 23: “Seattle, Nov. 23…At today’s session of the inquiry into the Dix disaster, the testimony showed that…the Dix had no ‘lookout’ on duty at the time of the accident….” (Fairbanks Evening News, AK. “More of Dix Horror.” 11-25-1906, p. 1.)

Nov 24: “Seattle, Nov 24.–(Delayed in transmission)–Today’s investigation of the Dix accident revealed the fact that the masters of steamers plying on Puget Sound often leave the mate of their vessel in command of them.

“It was stated today at the investigation that while the Jeanie was whistling for help three Sound steamers passed by her, and paid no attention, although the whistle could be heard plainly on Alki point.”[9] (Fairbanks Evening News, AK. “More of Dix Horror.” 11-25-1906, p. 1.)

Nov 25: “That every one of the numerous small passenger steamers plying on Puget sound, with one exception, is liable to the same fate as the Dix and with the same awful loss of life in case of accident is the opinion of Fred A. Ballin, the marine architect who is drawing the plans for the boat that is to take the place of the Dix. ‘I have heard of only one of the mosquito fleet that is bulkheaded,’ said Mr. Ballin last evening. ‘The Dix was unusually cranky, to be sure, but the other steamers would have sunk just about as rapidly, as only one has bulkheads to keep the water from rushing in and filling the entire hull….The law is to blame. It requires that every seagoing vessel carrying passengers shall have at least three water-tight bulkheads. But this regulation does not apply to steamers on sounds and rivers. Yes, there should be such a regulation applying to the river steamers here, too. The Puget sound steamers run over 600 and 1,000 feet of water, and it is the same as the ocean as far as danger of sinking is concerned. They certainly should be required to have bulkheads.’

“The Port Blakely Mill company, lessee of the Dix, was aware of the unsuitability of the Dix, and asked Mr. Ballin to visit the corporation officers for a consultation on plans for a boat to take her place. He was delayed by the flood on the Northern Pacific line and reached Seattle Sunday night just half an hour after the Dix had pulled out on her last trip. In the collision with the Jeanie that night 49 passengers were lost. Had Mr. Ballin’s train been on time he would almost certainly have been on board when the accident occurred.

“It is possible that the board of supervising inspectors, which meets in Washington, D.C., next month, will make a change in the regulations as to bulkheads for passenger steamers. The fate of the Dix, which filled and sank almost in the twinkling of an eye, will be held up as an example of the need of revision. ‘They are all liable to fill and go down like gas pipes,’ said Mr. Ballin of the Puget sound steamers.

“As soon as Ballin had consulted with the managers of the Port Blakely Mill company he was commissioned to draw plans and specifications for a steamer to take the Dix’s place. He is now engaged in his Portland office in doing this work. The new boat will be 130 feet long as compared with the 100 feet of the Dix and will be 22½ feet beam instead of 16. Triple expansion engines are expected to generate 700 horsepower.

“The Dix was so cranky that she had to carry 15 tons of lead ballast. The inspectors refused her a license until this ballast was put in. [apparently top heavy]. Her passenger limit was comparatively low. The new boat will have a passenger capacity of 250 against the Dix’s 150, and can also carry 25 to 40 tons of freight.” (Oregon Sunday Journal, Portland. “Will Sink Like Gas Pipes.” 11-25-1906, p. 1.)

Nov 26: “Seattle, Nov. 26.–The investigation of the steamer Dix disaster is nearing the end….It developed today that the compass was located on the port side of the pilot house on the Dix. It is the custom to have the needle on the starboard side. The theory is advanced that if Mate Dennison was watching the compass he could not observe the Jeanie approaching on the other side until too late to avoid the collision.” (Morning Astorian, OR. “Investigating Disaster.” 11-27-1906, p. 8.)

Nov 26: “Seattle, Nov. 26.–The testimony of Second Mate Gustafson of the steamer Jeanie directly contradicts that of his captain. He stated that no whistles were blown by either boat and also that the Dix swung to port and not to starboard, thus placing the large part of the blame for the disaster on his own ship. The testimony came as a surprise. Gustafson was on the bridge with Captain Mason. The logbook of the Jeanie was introduced in evidence. The inspectors found several erasures in the time of leaving Smith’s cove and the time the accident happened. It will be investigated further. Tomorrow the captains of the two Sound boats will be asked to explain why they did not answer the signals of distress of the Jeanie. The investigation will probably end tomorrow.” (Morning Astorian, OR. “Jeanie Investigation. Contradictory Statements…” 11-27-1906, p. 8.)

Dec 1: “Seattle, Dec. 1.–That Mate Dennison of the wrecked steamship Dix was wholly to blame for the loss of the vessel which caused the death of more than fifty men and women is evident from the testimony taken before the United States marine inspectors this morning.

“Captain Lermond, master of the Dix, who was among those saved by the steamer Jeanie, testified that he had warned Dennison never to attempt to cross in front of another vessel, but to pass the steamer’s stern.

“Both Captains Mason and Lermond were before the inspectors and told of the wreck. Captain Mason, of the Jeanie, told of the efforts he made to avoid a collision.

“Lermond testified that he was acting as captain and purser of rthe Dix and was in his room counting the fares when he heard the mate signal for the boat to slow down. When he went on deck the Dix was under the bow of the Jeanie and in a moment he was in the water. He said he called to the mate of his vessel and asked him what he was trying to do. He received no response.

“Captain Mason told how he had been overtaken by the Dix and that when he saw there was to be a collision he reversed his engines, but the Dix struck him a glancing blow and went down stern first.” (Philadelphia Inquirer, PA. “Says Mate Was Cause of Wreck.” 12-2-1906, p. 14.)

Dec 17: “Seattle, Wash., Dec. 17.–The United States inspectors who investigated the recent sinking of the steamer Dix, in which many lives were lost, have finished their report. It exonerates Capt. P. H. Mason, master of the steamer Jeanie, which sank the Dix, and revokes the license of Capt. Percy A. Lermond, master of the Dix. In was held that the sinking of the Dix was due entirely to the negligence on the part of those handling her. The practice of steamship companies in compelling their captains to act as pursers, thus taking them away from their duties was severely censured.” (Logansport Daily Reporter, IN. “Captain of Dix Blamed.” 12-17-1906, p. 2.)

Names of Identified Dead or Missing

Belair. Mill worker. Port Blakely, WA Morning Oregonian. 11-19-1906, p1.
Bouler [unclear], Fred Port Blakely, WA Morning Oregonian. 11-19-1906, p1.
Boyler, C. Store manager Port Blakely, WA Morning Oregonian. 11-19-1906, p1.
Boyler, W. Brother of C. Port Blakely Morning Oregonian. 11-19-1906, p1.
Bracefield, William. Longshoreman. Port Blakely Morning Oregonian. 11-19-1906, p1.
Bucher, Jos. Ship Caulker Seattle Daily Californian, 11-20-1906, p. 1.
Burns, George. Longshoreman. Port Blakely Daily Californian, 11-20-1906, p. 1.
Buzzattle [unclear], Peter. Barber, Port Blakely Morning Oregonian. 11-19-1906, p1.
Clark, Ralph. Store clerk, Port Blakely Morning Oregonian. 11-19-1906, p1.
Dennison, Charles. Dix Mate Morning Oregonian. 11-19-1906, p1.
Ford, Mrs. T. C. Port Blakely Morning Oregonian. 11-19-1906, p1.
Garcia, Bazzintia. Lately from Manila Morning Oregonian. 11-19-1906, p1.
Gordon, Frank. Mill hand. Port Blakely Daily Californian, 11-20-1906, p. 1.
Granger, Mrs. Port Blakely Morning Oregonian. 11-19-1906, p1.
Guel, J. W. Mill caulker. Daily Californian, 11-20-1906, p. 1.
Hansen, Martin. Mill caulker. Port Blakely Morning Oregonian. 11-19-1906, p1.
Keating, John, St. Paul, formerly of Port Blakely Morning Oregonian. 11-19-1906, p1.
Kenney, C.J., Army hosp. steward, Fort Ward Morning Oregonian. 11-19-1906, p1.
Larsen, Peter. Oiler. Port Blakely Morning Oregonian. 11-19-1906, p1.
Meyers, William. Mill caulker. Port Blakeley Morning Oregonian. 11-19-1906, p1.
McDonald, Albert. Lumber surveyor. Port Blakely Morning Oregonian. 11-19-1906, p1.
McDury, Albert. Lumber surveyor, Port Blakely Morning Oregonian. 11-19-1906, p1.
McQuerie, Frank. Ship officer. Port Blakely Morning Oregonian. 11-19-1906, p1.
Nelson, Mr. August. Port Blakely. Morning Oregonian. 11-19-1906, p1.
Nelson, Mrs. August. Port Blakely. Morning Oregonian. 11-19-1906, p1.
Parker,____ Steamer Dix engineer. Morning Oregonian. 11-19-1906, p1.
Pigati,____. Mill filer. Port Blakely Morning Oregonian. 11-19-1906, p1.
Price, Roland. Postmaster’s son. Port Blakely Morning Oregonian. 11-19-1906, p1.
Rogers,____. Blacksmith. Port Blakely Daily Californian, 11-20-1906, p. 1.
Roland,____ Dix crewman Morning Oregonian. 11-19-1906, p1.
Smith, James. Port Blakely Morning Oregonian. 11-19-1906, p1.
Smith, Mrs. James. Port Blakely Morning Oregonian. 11-19-1906, p1.
Smith, son of James. Port Blakely Morning Oregonian. 11-19-1906, p1.
Swanson, Sven. Mill worker. Port Blakely Morning Oregonian. 11-19-1906, p1.
Wenater [unclear], A. Lumber surveyor, Port Blakely. Morning Oregonian. 11-19-1906.
Unknown Steamer Dix deckhand. Morning Oregonian. 11-19-1906, p1.
Unknown “Chinaman” bound for Blakely for work. Morning Oregonian. 11-19-1906, 1.
Unknown “Chinaman” bound for Blakely for work. Morning Oregonian. 11-19-1906, 1.
Unknown “Chinaman” bound for Blakely for work. Morning Oregonian. 11-19-1906, 1.
Unknown Japanese going to work at Port Blakely Morning Oregonian. 11-19-1906, 1.
Unknown Japanese going to work at Port Blakely Morning Oregonian. 11-19-1906, 1.
Unknown Japanese going to work at Port Blakely Morning Oregonian. 11-19-1906, 1.
Unknown Japanese going to work at Port Blakely Morning Oregonian. 11-19-1906, 1.
Unknown Japanese going to work at Port Blakely Morning Oregonian. 11-19-1906, 1.

Sources

Anaconda Standard, MT. “General Chronology of Events During This Year,” 12-30-1906, p. 34. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=54805955

Berman, Bruce D. Encyclopedia of American Shipwrecks. Boston: Mariners Press Inc., 1972.

Daily Californian, Bakersfield. “Death List Increasing. Five More Victims.” 11-20-1906, p. 1. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=156500945

Fairbanks Evening News, AK. “More of Dix Horror.” 11-25-1906, p. 1. Accessed 7-6-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/fairbanks-evening-news-nov-26-1906-p-1/

Harrell, Debera Carlton. “Ceremony to Mark Worst Maritime Disaster in Puget Sound History.” Seattle Post-Intelligencer, 11-16-2006. http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/292571_dixdisaster16.html

Helena Semi-Weekly Independent, MT. “Captain Lermond Blamed.” 1-8-1907, p. 13. Accessed 7-6-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/helena-independent-record-jan-08-1907-p-13/

Logansport Daily Reporter, IN. “Captain of Dix Blamed. Inspectors Revoke His License…” 12-17-1906, p. 2. Accessed 7-6-2019: https://newspaperarchive.com/logansport-reporter-dec-17-1906-p-2/

Morning Astorian, OR. “Investigating Disaster…Board of Inquiry…Dix.” 11-27-1906, p. 8. Accessed 7-6-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/astoria-morning-astorian-nov-27-1906-p-8/

Morning Astorian, OR. “Jeanie Investigation. Contradictory Statements Made…” 11-27-1906, 8. Accessed 7-6-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/astoria-morning-astorian-nov-27-1906-p-8/

Morning Oregonian, Portland. “Dix Sunk in Collision on Sound.” 11-19-1906, p. 1. Accessed 7-5-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/portland-morning-oregonian-nov-19-1906-p-1/

Morning Oregonian, Portland. “Master Below Taking the Fares.” 11-19-1906, p. 5. Accessed 7-5-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/portland-morning-oregonian-nov-19-1906-p-5/

Morning Oregonian, Portland. “Mate Was Not Competent.” 11-23-1906, p. 6. Accessed 7-5-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/portland-morning-oregonian-nov-23-1906-p-6/

Oregon Daily Journal, Portland. “What Made Dix Go Down?” 11-21-1906, p. 2. Accessed 7-5-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/portland-oregon-daily-journal-nov-21-1906-p-2/

Oregon Sunday Journal, Portland. “Will Sink Like Gas Pipes.” 11-25-1906, p. 1. Accessed 7-6-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/portland-oregon-daily-journal-nov-25-1906-p-1/

Philadelphia Inquirer, PA. “Says Mate Was Cause of Wreck.” 12-2-1906, p. 14. Accessed 7-6-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/philadelphia-inquirer-dec-02-1906-p-14/

United States Department of Commerce and Labor. Reports of the Department of Commerce and Labor. Wash.: GPO, 1907. “Report of the Steamboat-Inspection Service.” Digitized Google: http://books.google.com/books?id=lqQXAAAAYAAJ&dq=steamer+Dix+jeanie+collision+puget+sound+nov+1906&source=gbs_navlinks_s

United States Steamboat-Inspection Service. Annual Report of the Supervising Inspector General, Steamboat-Inspection Service to the Secretary of Commerce and Labor for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 1907. Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, 1907. 374 pages. Digitized by Google. Accessed at: http://books.google.com/books?id=slcpAAAAYAAJ

World Today. “The Calendar of the Month. United States.” V. 12, No. 1, Jan 1907, p. 109. Google preview accessed 7-5-20019 at: https://books.google.com/books?id=cZjNAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

[1] “Washington, Jan. 2.–A report of the steamboat inspection officers who made of investigation of the collision between the steamers Dix and Jeanie on November 18 last, near Seattle, by which about 50 people lost their lives, has been received by the department of commerce and labor.”

[2] “…Charles Dennison, who was at the wheel of the Dix at the time of the collision, and who lost his life with 49 others, held a license simply to act as mate, not as pilot.”

[3] Fatalities cannot be nailed down to a specific number apparently because it was unclear how many Japanese and Chinese laborers were onboard. For the low end of our range we rely on the U.S. Steamboat Inspection Service Annual Report. For the high end of the range we rely on Berman and Gibbs, both usually reliable sources.

[4] “Thirty-nine were dead or missing. Other accounts placed the toll at 45 dead, for among the passengers were an undetermined number of coolie millhands hired for employment at the Port Blakely Mill Company.”

[5] Morning Oregonian, Portland. “Dix Sunk in Collision on Sound.” 11-19-1906, p. 1.

[6] Perhaps this is a mistake. The same report, as page 321 has the fatalities at 42.

[7] Larger and heavier, in that the Jeanie was a freighter loaded with iron ore. (Gibbs)

[8] Gibbs writes there were seventy-seven on board.

[9] Elsewhere on the page two of those were identified as the steamers Multnomah and Manette.