65- The Doomed Steamship Clallam

The inland passenger steamship SS Clallam departed Seattle for Victoria, British Columbia, via Port Townsend, on Friday, January 8, 1904. The Clallam experiences severe seas and gale-force winds as it enters the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and begins to sink within sight of Victoria Harbor. Fearing that the ship is sinking, the captain orders the launch of three lifeboats, each carrying all of the women, children, and some men. The lifeboats capsize or are wrecked within minutes, and everyone is lost at sea.
The Clallam is kept afloat by the remaining passengers and crew until early January 9, when she begins to sink. Dozens are rescued by the tugboats Richard Holyoke and Sea Lion, but 56 people drown. This is the worst marine accident ever involving a steamboat from the Puget Sound Mosquito Fleet.
Listen now to learn more about this grisly maritime disaster!
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