Peter Iredale Wreck: From Tragedy to Tourist Attraction in Oregon

by | Aug 10, 2020 | Adventures, Beaches, Family Fun, Featured, History, Interesting, Oregon Coast, Photography, Photos, Things To Do

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On October 25, 1906, the sailing vessel Peter Iredale was bound from Salina Cruz, Mexico to Portland, Oregon when she ran into trouble trying to enter the mouth of the Columbia River in thick mist and a rising tide. Heavy winds drove the ship aground near Fort Stevens. All 27 passengers (including two stowaways) made it safely to shore where the rescued sailors from the wreck were fed, clothed, and housed at the fort after the incident. Over a century later, the shipwreck remains a popular spot for both tourists and photographers alike.

The Peter Iredale shipwreck, located next to Fort Stevens State Park in Astoria, Oregon, is one of the most visited shipwrecks in the world. This four-masted ship sailed out of Liverpool and was in route to its final destination of Vancouver when it ran aground during a storm in October 1906.

Still intact almost two hundred years later, visitors come from all over to admire the ship's rustic beauty and take a peek at a bygone era. While much of the ship has been covered by sand since its arrival, you can still see remnants of the ship’s rigging and bow silhouetted against the beautiful Oregon coastline. A visit to the Peter Iredale shipwreck is an awe-inspiring experience that no nature lover should miss.

The following images chronicle the Peter Iredale's downfall.

1900:

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The Peter Iredale near Seattle circa 1900. / Image via / Wikipedia Commons

October 25, 1906, the day of the wreck:

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Peter Iredale, circa 1906.

Circa 1909-1914:

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Peter Iredale, circa 1909-1914. / Image via / Oregon Historical Society Digital Collections

Circa 1930s:

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Peter Iredale, circa 1930s. / Image via / Saltwater People Historical Society Archives

1959:

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Peter Iredale, 1959. / Image via / Oregon State Archives

Circa 1960:

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Peter Iredale, circa 1960. / Image via / Facebook / Sara's Old Photos

1980:

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Peter Iredale, 1980. / Image via / The Oregonian

1988:

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Peter Iredale, 1988. / Image via / The Oregonian

2007:

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Peter Iredale, 2007. / Image via / Terry Richard / The Oregonian

2016:

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Peter Iredale, 2016. / Image via / Facebook / Elizabeth Keenan Johnson

2017:

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Peter Iredale, 2017. / Image via / TJ Simon Photography

2018:

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Peter Iredale, 2018. / Image via / Tony Jones Photography

2020:

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Peter Iredale, 2020. / Image via / Facebook / Brian Zettervall

Visit the wreckage for yourself via an easy hike at Fort Stevens State Park, Hammond, Oregon.

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Written By Danielle Denham

Danielle Denham is an award-winning and published photographer who loves her home state of Oregon. Recently she was featured on a regional-Emmy-winning episode of Oregon Field Guide, and is currently writing a book on Abandoned Oregon. When she isn't out and about exploring for derelict places to photograph, you may find her hanging around in Eugene Oregon with Tyler Willford and his two awesome kiddos.

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