The Tragic Sinking of the Steamer Clallam
A devastating storm claims the lives of dozens as the Puget Sound Navigation Company’s new steamer founders in the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
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During a terrible storm in the Straits of Juan de Fuca, the Puget Sound Navigation company's steamer Clallam foundered at 1:15 o'clock this morning. When she went down the ocean tug Holyoke was alongside of her, but in the face of the gale and heavy sea, she could do nothing to save the vessel. Less than one-third of the passengers were rescued; the others went to their death beneath the waves. The Clallam was a wooden craft built in Tacoma, commissioning only the previous July. Nearly every woman and child on the steamer was lost, with death tolls estimated near 65. The disaster was attributed to the breaking of porthole deadlights, which allowed water to rush in and extinguish the boiler fires.
“Those who were strong enough to make their way to the tug or to hold on to life rafts until help arrived were saved, but the great majority went down and were seen no more.”
The sinking of the Clallam remains one of the worst maritime tragedies in Puget Sound history. The subsequent investigations into the vessel's seaworthiness and the failure of safety procedures echo modern concerns regarding corporate accountability and disaster preparedness.
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