On November 5, 1917, the steamer Prentiss met with a catastrophic accident while loading cargo at Albion when a sudden and powerful southwest swell caused the ship to crash into the wharf. Despite Captain Iverson and his crew’s efforts to maneuver the vessel into open waters, the strong undertow dragged the stern line into the propeller, leaving the Prentiss helpless.
Steamer Prentiss Ashore at Albion, 1917. (William Ferrill Collection)
For a brief moment, the sea calmed, and there was a glimmer of hope that the ship’s last line and anchors would hold it. However, the relentless force of the sea proved too much, snapping the heavy hawser and propelling the Prentiss through the wharf. The impact caused significant damage, demolishing approximately 200 feet of the structure near the shore and leaving the vessel grounded on a sandbar.
For the next week, coast residents flocked to Albion to witness the extent of the damage, and some took photographs. After seven days of being stranded on the beach, the steamer Prentiss was successfully towed back into deep water on the north side of the wharf. Despite a few scratches on her hull, a broken rail, and a rudder post, the ship appeared remarkably intact. The steamer Helen P. Drew towed the Prentiss to San Francisco for repairs.
Meanwhile, a crew of men led by J. F. Byrne immediately set to work repairing the damaged wharf. By early December, the wharf was restored to its former glory, and the Prentiss also resumed operations. The ship brought the first batch of freight to be unloaded at the wharf and loaded lumber for delivery to South America.
Today @11AM! Walking Tours of Historic Mendocino – Join our expert docents for a stroll and lively commentary. You’ll pass by early pioneer homes, historic meeting places, and buildings that make up the Mendocino Historic District.