1916 — Jan 18, gale, Can. halibut trawler Onward Ho lost (icing capsize) off Cape Fairweather, AK-34

–37 Ogden Standard, UT. “Abandoned Ship Sighted at Sea.” 2-1-1916, p. 3, col. 7.
–13 crew
–24 fishermen
–34 Alaskashipwreck.com. Alaska Shipwrecks. “Alaska Shipwrecks 1900-1925.”
–34 Alaskashipwreck.com. Alaska Shipwrecks. “Alaska Shipwrecks A–Z.” (O).
–34 Tacoma Times, WA. “Fishing Vessel Lost.” 2-17-1916, p. 3, col. 2.

Narrative Information

Alaskashipwreck.com: “1916…Onward Ho…SE [southeast area]…143 Foot…Steam Halibut Trawler…34 [lives lost].” Alaska Shipwrecks. “Alaska Shipwrecks 1900-1925.”

Alaskashipwreck.com: “Onward Ho (1916). he 323 ton 143 foot Canadian halibut steam trawler Onward Ho was lost off of Cape Fairweather January 18, 1916 with all hands. The vessel had departed Vancouver, British Columbia January 6, 1916 with 34 crewmen aboard. The Onward Ho was leaving the fishing grounds near Cape Spencer when she was caught in a gale. She was sighted by the schooner Alaska and steamer Manhattan carrying a load of ice on deck and in her rigging. When sighted the Onward Ho was ‘covered with ice, down by the head and making way slowly’. The schooner New England was caught in the same storm and almost foundered because of the heavy icing. She spotted the Onward Ho ‘in a sinking condition’ but was unable to aid because of her own dire condition. Temperatures were below zero. She was never seen again. It is presumed the Onward Ho became top heavy, rolled over and sank. Lost were Captain Fred Fredericksen, Mate H Hughes, Pilot Sid Ulstein, Chief Engineer Thomas Shiminin, Fireman Matthew Walker, Cook Jens Bendicksen Aas, and the following fishermen: P Andersen, H Aune, P Beck, B Benson, R Brandal, C Bravak, D Brown, E Edmunsen, O Hessen, J Knudsen, K Knudsen, H Larvik, O Longfelt, George Mackie, J March, O Olson, J S Petersen, H Rudd, B Schjie, S Simonsen, W Snow, M Stronstad, S Swanson, H Ulstein and H Westvik. The trawler also carried 12 dories and had a large catch of halibut aboard.

“Mapping and Location: South Central Alaska 58 48 30 N 137 56 45 W Chart 16760.

“Additional Information: Owner British Columbia Packing Company, Built 1907 Hull England, Former Name H935.

“Sources: 1. Shipwrecks of the Alaskan Shelf and Shore (1992), 2. Maritimequest.com (2010) “Daily Event for January 18”, 3. Seattle Daily Times (February 16, 1916) “Fishing Vessel Considered Lost” Pg 16.” (Alaska Shipwrecks. “Alaska Shipwrecks A–Z.” (O).)

Newspapers

Feb 1: “Vancouver, B.C., Feb 1. – The steamer Onward Ho, the largest and best equipped vessel of the Vancouver halibut fish fleet, still is unreported. The schooner Alaska which arrived at Prince Rupert this morning, said she hailed the Onward Ho on January 18. ” (Bakersfield Californian. “Fishing Seamer Missing.” 2-1-1916, p. 1, col. 2.)

Feb 1: “Vancouver, B.C., Feb 1….the halibut steamer Onward Ho, with 37 men on board, has not arrived. The Onward Ho…is an oil burner, 145 feet long. She carried 24 fishermen in addition to her crew.” (Ogden Standard, UT. “Abandoned Ship Sighted at Sea.” 2-1-1916, p. 3, col. 7.)

Feb 16: “Vancouver, G.C., Feb 16. – Hope was abandoned today for the fishing vessel Onward Ho, missing since January 18 with a crew of 34. When last sighted in the north she had a big catch of halibut and was making for port. It is thought she has foundered with all aboard.” (Tacoma Times, WA. “Fishing Vessel Lost.” 2-17-1916, p. 3, col. 2.

Sources

Alaskashipwreck.com. Alaska Shipwrecks. “Alaska Shipwrecks 1900-1925.” Accessed 11-23-2021 at: https://alaskashipwreck.com/alaska-shipwrecks-1729-2012/alaska-shipwrecks-1900-1925/

Alaskashipwreck.com. Alaska Shipwrecks. “Alaska Shipwrecks A–Z.” (O). Accessed 11-23-2021 at: https://alaskashipwreck.com/shipwrecks-a-z/alaska-shipwrecks-o/

Bakersfield Californian. “Fishing Seamer Missing.” 2-1-1916, p. 1, col. 2. Accessed 11-23-2021 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/bakersfield-californian-feb-01-1916-p-1/

Medford Mail Tribune, OR. “Halibut Steamer Still Unreported.” 2-1-1916, p. 1, col. 5. Accessed 11-232021 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/medford-mail-tribune-feb-01-1916-p-6/

Ogden Standard, UT. “Abandoned Ship Sighted at Sea.” 2-1-1916, p. 3, col. 7. Accessed 11-23-2021 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/ogden-standard-feb-01-1916-p-3/

Prince Rupert Journal, Prince Rupert, B.C. “Those Aboard Missing Boat Onward Ho.” 2-4-1916, p. 2, col. 5. Accessed 11-23-2021 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/agassiz-record-feb-04-1916-p-2/

Tacoma Times, WA. “Fishing Vessel Lost.” 2-17-1916, p. 3, col. 2. Accessed 11-23-2021 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/tacoma-times-feb-17-1916-p-3/