100th Anniversary of Forgotten Disaster

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - July 26, 2023 - PRLog -- SANTA BARBARA, California, September 8, 1923 — Destroyer Squadron on California Rocks; 23 Drowned; 15 Injured. Seven U.S, Warships Piled Up on Bar off Santo Miguello Light, 75 Miles North of Santa Barbara. Navy's Greatest Disaster on Coast. Theories Expressed by Naval Officials that Tidal Waves or Seismic Disturbance Caused the Wrecks.

Those were some of the headlines nearly a century ago in the aftermath of one of the worst peacetime disasters in U.S. Navy history.

At 9 pm that night, the commodore of a squadron of destroyers had ordered his flagship to turn into the Santa Barbara channel, with the 13 ships behind him obligated to follow.

Unfortunately, due to heavy fog along the shoreline and unusual currents affecting the speed of the ships, traditional navigation methods were faulty. The ships were still several miles north of their assumed position.

Within minutes, one after another, ships traveling at 20 knots slammed into the rocky shoreline. Seven were wrecked and two more were damaged. Twenty-three sailors lost their lives,and a long dark night was spent rescuing hundreds of survivors.

For years after, during investigations and court martials, the wreckage in the surf served as a constant reminder of the Navy's failure — a cause of embarrassment but also of pride for the heroic response of the men called upon to put their lives at risk in the rescue of their companions.

Over time, the stories of that night have been largely forgotten. But as the hundredth anniversary approaches, it's time again to honor those who made the greatest sacrifice.

For an overview of what happened that night, resources for stories, and a list of planned commemorations, visit https://hondapoint1923.com.