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Photo # NH 46149:  Crewmen are brought ashore by breeches buoy from the stranded USS Milwaukee, 13 January 1917

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- EVENTS -- The 1910s -- 1917

Stranding of USS Milwaukee, 13 January 1917 --
Rescue of the Ship's Crew

The stranding of USS Milwaukee, not unexpected by those familar with local conditions, brought a large crowd to Samoa Beach, both to spectate and to help. As the fog lifted in mid-morning on 13 January 1917, it was clear that extensive work would be needed to rescue the cruiser's crew. Initially, a line rigged from ship to shore brought men ashore by breeches buoy -- a slow process that subjected its passengers to frequent dunkings as the ship's rolling tightened and loosened the line. Two surfboats were then put to use, manned by volunteers from among the onlookers. Assisted by gradually moderating surf, work continued until evening, when all on board the Milwaukee were safely ashore.

Most of the survivors (there were no lives lost, and few injuries) were sent by train to the Mare Island Navy Yard within a few days, while others remained behind to begin the long task of salvaging equipment and stores from Milwaukee's wreck. Upon due reflection, the Navy turned back to the private sector to recover the H-3, whose stranding a month earlier had begun the whole affair.

Some fifty years later, in the February 1967 issue of the "U.S. Naval Institute Proceedings" (pages 34-49), Captain Harvey Haislip, USN (Retired), who was intimately familiar with the affair, related the whole tale. His title, "The Valor of Inexperience", elegantly summarizes cause and effect of a costly encounter with the dangers of the Pacific Coast and the inherent risks of marine salvage work.

Another informative article on the affair was published in the Fall 1981 issue of "California History -- The Magazine of the California Historical Society" (pages 210-227). Entitled "Maritime Fiasco on the Northern California Coast", and authored by Lynwood Carranco, it draws extensively on local sources, as well as on Haislip's earlier work.

This page features all the views we have concerning rescue operations following the stranding of USS Milwaukee (Cruiser # 21) at Samoa Beach, California, on 13 January 1917.

For more pictures of, or related to, this event, see:

  • Stranding of USS Milwaukee, 13 January 1917.


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the Online Library's digital images, see: How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions.

    Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

    Photo #: NH 46149

    Stranding of USS Milwaukee, 13 January 1917


    USS Milwaukee (Cruiser # 21) stranded at Samoa Beach, near Eureka, California, on 13 January 1917, as crewmen are brought ashore by breeches buoy.
    The ship appears to be valving steam from her after two smokestacks.
    Note the size of the tree trunk in the foreground.

    Donation of Rear Admiral Ammen C. Farenholt, USN (Medical Corps), 1931.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 84KB; 740 x 610 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 46155

    Stranding of USS Milwaukee, 13 January 1917


    Sailors haul in men via breeches buoy as the crew of USS Milwaukee (Cruiser # 21) abandons ship after she went aground at Samoa Beach, near Eureka, California, on 13 January 1917.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 64KB; 740 x 445 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 67717

    Loss of USS Milwaukee, January 1917


    USS Milwaukee (Cruiser # 21) stranded and broadside to the surf, at Samoa Beach, California, 13 January 1917. Two boats are offshore, attempting to assist in removing the cruiser's crew, many of whom are visible standing on her foredeck and superstructure. Milwaukee had gone ashore while attempting to salvage the grounded submarine H-3.
    Photographed by Emma B. Freeman, Eureka, California.

    Photograph received from the U.S. Naval Library, Treasure Island, California, 1969.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 91KB; 740 x 595 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 46157

    Stranding of USS Milwaukee, 13 January 1917


    Rescue operations in progress just after USS Milwaukee (Cruiser # 21) went aground at Samoa Beach, near Eureka, California, on 13 January 1917.
    Note the boat between ship and shore, and the large number of men on the wrecked cruiser's decks.
    Photographed by Emma B. Freeman, Eureka, Calif.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 57KB; 740 x 480 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 46159

    Stranding of USS Milwaukee, 13 January 1917


    Lifesaving crew launches a U.S. Coast Guard surfboat, during rescue operations just after USS Milwaukee (Cruiser # 21) went aground at Samoa Beach, near Eureka, California, 13 January 1917.

    Donation of Captain Ray Spear, 1931.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 52KB; 740 x 435 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 46156

    Stranding of USS Milwaukee, 13 January 1917


    U.S. Coast Guard surfboat in action, during the removal of crewmen from USS Milwaukee (Cruiser # 21) after she was wrecked at Samoa Beach, near Eureka, California, 13 January 1917.
    Note the large number of men standing on the grounded cruiser's decks.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 79KB; 740 x 475 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 46154

    Stranding of USS Milwaukee, 13 January 1917


    U.S. Coast Guard surfboat brings in crewmen of USS Milwaukee (Cruiser # 21) after she was wrecked at Samoa Beach, near Eureka, California, 13 January 1917.
    Photographed by Emma B. Freeman, Eureka, Calif.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 75KB; 740 x 460 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 66215

    Stranding of USS Milwaukee, January 1917


    Coast Guard surf boats rescuing crewmen from USS Milwaukee (Cruiser # 21) after she went ashore on Samoa Beach, near Eureka, California, on 13 January 1917.

    Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation. Donation of Donald M. McPherson.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 60KB; 740 x 465 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 46160

    Stranding of USS Milwaukee, 13 January 1917


    Surfboat broaches in the heavy Pacific surf, during rescue operations just after USS Milwaukee (Cruiser # 21) went aground at Samoa Beach, near Eureka, California, 13 January 1917.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 82KB; 740 x 465 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 46158

    Stranding of USS Milwaukee, 13 January 1917


    Spectators watch rescue operations, just after USS Milwaukee (Cruiser # 21) went aground at Samoa Beach, near Eureka, California, on 13 January 1917.
    Photographed by Emma B. Freeman, Eureka, Calif.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 72KB; 740 x 465 pixels

    Note:
    This image has been reversed to properly orient text written on the original photograph.

     

    For more pictures of, or related to, this event, see:

  • Stranding of USS Milwaukee, 13 January 1917.


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the Online Library's digital images, see: How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions.


    Return to Naval Historical Center home page.

    Page made 31 May 2004
    Text added 13 June 2004