1908 — Jan 8, schooner John F. Miller grounds in gale, East Anchor Cove, Unimak Isl., AK–10

–10 AK Bur. Ocean Energy Mgmt., Reg., Enforce. Alaska’s Worst All Time Shipping Losses.
–10 Alaskashipwreck.com. Alaska Shipwrecks. “Alaska Shipwrecks 1900-1925.”
–10 Alaskashipwreck.com. Alaska Shipwrecks. “Alaska Shipwrecks A–Z.” (J)
–10 Berman, Bruce D. Encyclopedia of American Shipwrecks. 1972, p. 214.
–10 Cobb (Bureau of Fisheries, Dept. of Commerce). Pacific Cod Fisheries. 1916, p. 108.
–10 Nelson, Eric. Shipwrecks on Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge. Oct 28, 2007.
–10 U.S. Bureau of Navigation. Merchant Vessels of the United States…1908, p. 379.

Narrative Information

Alaskashipwreck.com: “1908…John F Miller…SC [south central area]…107 Foot…Wood Schooner…10 [lives lost]…27 [lived].” (Alaska Shipwrecks. “Alaska Shipwrecks 1900-1925.”)

Alaskashipwreck.com: John F Miller (1908). The 107 foot 170 ton wooden schooner John F Miller parted her anchor chains in a severe gale and stranded at East Anchor Cove on Unimak Island January 8, 1908. There were 7 crew and 30 fishermen aboard bound for Bear Harbor. The crew of the John F Miller was attempting to salvage the 127 ton cod schooner Glen, which had wrecked in East Anchor Cove under similar conditions several months before. Both vessels were owned by Pacific States Trading Company. Survivors were picked up by boats from the fishing station after daylight. 10 perished in the disaster. Lost were Harry Hanson (48) of Sweden, Pete Johnson (24) of Norway, Samuel Smith (42) of the U.S., Charles Stoppy (23 ) of Finland, C Flink (38) of Finland, K Lund (27) of Norway, A Christensen (26) of Norway, Gust. Holmlom (48) of Finland, F Wideken (32) of Germany and C. Nelson (28) of Denmark. The John F Miller was valued at $6,000 and was carrying a 220 ton cargo of salt and provisions valued at $4,000. All was lost. The insurance on the vessel was $1,500 and there was none on the cargo.

“Mapping and Location: South Central Alaska 54 41 30 N 163 04 W Chart 16535.

“Additional Information: Tonnage 170, Length 107, Breadth 30.6, Depth 9, Built 1882 San Francisco, Registered San Francisco, ON 76311, Master M G Kelton of Oakland, Owner Pacific State Trading of San Francisco, Last Port San Francisco November 23, 1907.

“Sources: 1. U S Customs Wreck Report filed by Kelton at San Francisco March 24, 1908, 2. Pacific Cod Fisheries DOC Document # 830 (1916) Pg 107.” (Alaska Shipwrecks. “Alaska Shipwrecks A–Z.” (J).)

Berman (1972, p. 214) writes that the location was Bear Harbor, Alaska.

Cobb (1916, 108) notes that the fatalities were to freezing and the loss was at Unimak Island.

Nelson: “Unimak Is., 1908, Jan. 8th, American schooner John F. Miller wrecked at E. Anchor Cove while attempting to salvage Glen, 10 lives lost.” (Nelson, Eric. Shipwrecks on Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge. Oct 28, 2007.)

U.S. Bureau of Navigation. Merchant Vessels of the U.S.…1908, 379: Twenty-seven survived.

Sources

Alaska Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement. Alaska’s Worst All Time Shipping Losses. Accessed 11-21-2021 at: https://www.boem.gov/about-boem/alaskas-worst-all-time-shipping-losses

Alaskashipwreck.com. Alaska Shipwrecks. “Alaska Shipwrecks 1900-1925.” Accessed 11-21-2021 at: https://alaskashipwreck.com/alaska-shipwrecks-1729-2012/alaska-shipwrecks-1900-1925/

Alaskashipwreck.com. Alaska Shipwrecks. “Alaska Shipwrecks A–Z.” Accessed 11-21-2021 at: https://alaskashipwreck.com/shipwrecks-a-z/alaska-shipwrecks-j/

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

Cobb, John Nathan. Pacific Cod Fisheries (Appendix IV to the Report of the U.S. Commissioner of Fisheries for 1915 – Bureau of Fisheries [Dept. of Commerce] Document No. 830). Washington: GPO, 1916. Digitized by Google at: http://books.google.com/books?id=SGEZAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_atb#v=onepage&q&f=false

Nelson, Eric. Shipwrecks on Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge. 10-28-2007. Accessed at: http://www.amnwr.com/ShipwreckList.htm

United States Bureau of Navigation, Department of Commerce and Labor. Fortieth Annual List of Merchant Vessels of the United States…For the Year Ended June 30, 1908. Wash.: GPO, 1908. Digitized by Google at: http://books.google.com/books?id=kF0uAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=editions:LCCNsn88028129#v=onepage&q=&f=false