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.
On the morning of September 8, 1923, a squadron of United States Navy destroyers departed San Francisco on a routine run down the coast to San Diego. More than 700 sailors were eager to return home on their fourteen ships — but many would never arrive.
