Steamer Brother Jonathan sinks off the California coast

Background. Commissioned by Edward Mills during the California Gold Rush, the vessel was named after a New England character. By 1861, it was sold to the California Steam Navigation Company, which restored its name and operated it on the route from San Francisco to Vancouver. It gained a reputation as one of the finest steamers on the Pacific Coast, completing the run in sixty-nine hours each way.

Incident. In summer 1865, the ship suffered a hull-damaging collision with a barkentine on the Columbia River. On July 30, 1865, the steamer anchored in Crescent City harbor on the first leg of its trip. It subsequently struck an uncharted rock near Point St. George, resulting in the sinking of the vessel.

Aftermath. The wreck remained unfound for years due to storms, rocky passageways, underwater currents, and darkness, despite being only 8 miles from Crescent City. California claimed rights to the wreck, though judges disagreed. A memorial, California Historical Landmark No. 541, sits at Brother Jonathan Vista Point in Crescent City.