The Wreck of the Sujameco

The remains of the steamship Sujameco spend most of the year buried in the sand on the North Spit of the Coos Bay. The rugged Oregon coastline has become the final resting place of many ships over the years. However, in many ways the Sujameco stands out from the rest.

How did the ship end up on the beach?

During the night of February 28, 1929, the Sujameco arrived off of the coast of the Coos Bay. The ship missed the entrance to the bay and travelled too far north. A thick fog set in while the ship was turning around. Now, there are two versions of the story of how the ship grounded. One claims that the ship struck the beach bow first but after a few hours the waves pounding against the side of the ship turned it until it was resting parallel with the shore. The second version of events seems more likely. The ship had already turned around when the fog set in. The Sujameco simply strayed too close to shore and grounded on the beach (lying parallel to the coast). The North Spit is covered with sand dunes. Many ships have grounded there over the years. The heavier ships, such as the steel hulled Sujameco, are difficult to pull loose. The combination of the sand and water work like suction to keep the ships grounded on the beach.

Although the ship arrived the night before, it didn’t ground until early in the morning of March 1, 1929. The ship’s captain, John F. Carlson, was clearly disorientated. When he sent out the distress call, he thought his ship was approximately 50 miles further north.

Many attempts were made to pull the steamship off of the beach, but they all failed. The crew lived on board for several weeks while they waited for the ship’s owners, the Submarine Boat Corporation in New Jersey, to contact them with further instructions. Meanwhile, the ship became a tourist destination. Hundreds of people visited the wreck site. In the end, the decision was made to strip of the ship of everything valuable and abandon the hull.

The hull of the Sujameco remained intact on the North Spit for many years. During World War II the rusting hull was cut up for scrap metal to be used for the war effort. However, the very bottom portion of the hull was buried in the sand and inaccessible. It is this portion of the ship that remains on the beach to this day.

As I mentioned before, the North Spit is covered with sand dunes. It is in the nature of sand to move with the wind and tides. Therefore, the remains of the Sujameco are often completely buried during the summer months. However, during the winter there are a lot of storms on the Oregon coast. The combination of heavy winds and strong currents over move enough sand to unbury the remains of the shipwreck. On a good day, you can see the entire outline of the ship– from bow to rudder– resting on the beach. It’s quite a sight!

Now, you’re probably wondering how to get there are see for yourself. One of the best things about this particular shipwreck is how easy it is to find. The North Spit is now part of the Oregon Dunes Recreational Area. There are now roads, camp grounds, ATV trails, and picnic tables for visitors to enjoy. To find the shipwreck you’ll need to travel to the Coos Bay area on Highway 101. Just north of the McCullough Bridge there is a sign for the “Oregon Dunes Recreational Area.” Turn on this road (which travels across the bay toward the ocean). Once you’re on the North Spit, you’ll come to a fork in the road. Turn right on the road that advertises “Horsfall Beach.” Follow this road all the way to the end and park in the large parking lot. ** Note: There is a $5 state park fee. ** Finding the shipwreck is simple. Simply climb over the sand dune that separates the parking lot from the beach. The shipwreck will be right at your feet. Remember, the wreck will be mostly (if not completely) buried during the summer months. You’ll want to visit during the winter. I find that the best viewings are usually after big storms between January and March.

Have fun!

Bow to mid-ship (view from beach overlook)

Mid-ship to Rudder (view from beach overlook)