According to the American newspapers of 1894, the winter and spring storms of December 1893 to April 1894 proved to be one of the most disastrous for the United States, particularly the Cape Cod area, since 1860.[1] The eastern seaboard of the continent had already faced a fierce hurricane season in 1893 when over 2,000 lives were lost.
January[]
4 January[]
List of shipwrecks: 4 January
Ship
Country
Description
United States
During a voyage from St. Louis, Missouri, to New Orleans, Louisiana, the steamboat struck a hidden obstruction and sank in the Mississippi River off Delta, Mississippi. She was declared a total loss.[2]
The fishing schooner sank in a heavy gale on the Georges Bank. Lost with all 14 crew.[4][5]
United States
The steamer stranded at the mouth of the Nooksack River in a gale, a total loss.[6]
United States
The fishing schooner was wrecked on Sable Island in a gale. Lost with all 10 crew.[7][8][9]
14 January[]
List of shipwrecks: 14 January
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer sprung a leak in a storm and was beached to prevent sinking.[6]
United States
The launch broke loose from her moorings during a flood in the Skokomish River. She filled and sank.[6]
16 January[]
List of shipwrecks: 16 January
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer struck an obstruction and sank at 8 Mile in the Cincinnati, Ohio, area. Raised the same day.[10]
17 January[]
List of shipwrecks: 17 January
Ship
Country
Description
Denmark
The barque capsized and sank in the Atlantic Ocean 600 nautical miles (1,100 km) south west of The Lizard, Cornwall, United Kingdom. Her crew were rescued by Castle Rock (United Kingdom). Else was on a voyage from Guayaquil, Ecuador to Hamburg, Germany.[11]
United States
The steamer caught fire at the Wallabout Dock in Brooklyn and was scuttled to extinguish the fire.[6]
The schooner was dismasted on 13 January in the gale of 12/13 January. On 18 January a can of kerosene caught fire and the vessel was burning rapidly, but it caught the attention of (France) who rescued them just in time, as all of her boats had washed overboard in the gale.[13]
20 January[]
List of shipwrecks: 20 January
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer caught fire at and was beached and she burned out a total loss.[6]
United States
The steamer, laid up for the Winter, was sunk by ice in six feet (1.8 m) of water at dock at Sabula, Iowa. Raised and repaired.[10]
22 January[]
List of shipwrecks: 22 January
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The tug sank over night at dock in East Boston, Massachusetts. Later raised.[14]
23 January[]
List of shipwrecks: 23 January
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer was destroyed by fire while at anchor at Bluefields, Nicaragua.[15]
24 January[]
List of shipwrecks: 24 January
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The passenger steamer burned to the waterline and sank in 20 feet (6.1 m) of water while lying over night at Spottsville, Kentucky.[10]
The four-masted barque was last seen off Lundy, UK on 5 January while on voyage from Swansea to San Francisco. From 20 January to 5 February, wreckage from the ship washed up on the Cornish and Sussex coasts.[19][20]
The schooner was dismasted on 30 January. The crew was taken off on 6 February by schooner and she was scuttled by burning.[24]
United States
The ferry sprung a leak and sank while lying over night at Golconda, Illinois. Raised and repaired.[10]
11 February[]
List of shipwrecks: 11 February 1894
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer grounded at the Mouth of the Skagit River and was submerged by the rising tide.[6]
12 February[]
List of shipwrecks: 12 February 1894
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The schooner was on the Ramea Islands, Newfoundland. After the crew was rescued she floated off, probably sank in a gale later.[25]
United States
The schooner was wrecked one-quarter mile (0.40 km) off Race Point in the gale. Two crew drowned.[26]
Huntcliff
United Kingdom
The tramp steamer was beached at Blackpool, Lancashire. All crew safe. She was refloated on 23 February.
Belgium
The schooner foundered on a voyage between Antwerp and Buenos Aires, Argentina.[27]
14 February[]
List of shipwrecks: 14 February 1894
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The schooner sprung a leak in the gale of 12 February. The crew were rescued on 14 February by (United States).[28]
United States
The schooner was heavily damaged by huge waves in a severe gale while at anchor on the on 12 February. She drifted off in the storm. On 13 February the tanker Amsterdam (Netherlands) attempted to rescue her crew but lost a lifeboat and six crew and gave up the attempt. On 14 February Maggie E. Wells' crew was taken off by the schooner (United States) and she was scuttled by burning about 40 miles (64 km) south east of Sable Island, Nova Scotia.[29][30]
United States
The waterlogged and dismasted schooner was scuttled by burning about 40 miles (64 km) south of Sable Island, Nova Scotia by .[31][32]
15 February[]
List of shipwrecks: 15 February 1894
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer burned to the waterline at China Ferry in the Sacramento River.[33]
The steamer burned and sank at dock at the People's Wharf, Baltimore, Maryland.[16]
17 February[]
List of shipwrecks: 17 February 1894
Ship
Country
Description
Ohio
United States
The steamer struck a stump and sank at Cottonwood Point, Missouri, 120 miles (190 km) above Memphis, Tennessee, a total loss.[10]
United States
The tug got hung up under her dock at South Street on the Delaware side opposite Philadelphia on a rising tide, filled and sank. Raised the next day.[16]
19 February[]
List of shipwrecks: 19 February 1894
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The passenger steamer was sunk by ice at in the Missouri River, a total loss.[35]
23 February[]
List of shipwrecks: 23 February 1894
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer sprang a leak and sank overnight at Sistersville, West Virginia. Broken up.[36]
The ferry was struck by a log and sank at dock at Donaldsonville, Louisiana. A total loss except for her machinery and boiler that were salvaged.[15]
26 February[]
List of shipwrecks: 26 February 1894
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer caught fire and was beached to extinguish the fire.[6]
28 February[]
List of shipwrecks: 28 February 1894
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer struck an obstruction and sank in the Tennessee River at Guntersville, Alabama. Later raised.[10]
March[]
2 March[]
List of shipwrecks: 2 March 1894
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The schooner was carried ashore by an ice flow at Port au Bras, Newfoundland, the ice took her back off the beach and then put her back on it. Wreck later sold.[37]
4 March[]
List of shipwrecks: 4 March 1894
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The passenger steamer was sunk by ice at Sioux City, Iowa in the Missouri River. Raised and repaired.[35]
The 68.18-gross register ton, 61-foot (19 m) sealingschooner was crushed by ice at Kayak Island on the coast of the Territory of Alaska at a position described in the wreck report as "60 08 12 N south end of Kayak Island Cove ESE." The entire crew of 15 escaped onto an ice floe and survived on it for 28 days before setting off in a small boat built from Undaunted's wreckage and making it to Port Etches in Prince William Sound, where the steamerKodiak (United States) rescued them on 4 April.[38]
8 March[]
List of shipwrecks: 8 March 1894
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer struck a log and sank at the Mouth of in the Great Kanawha River. Raised and repaired.[10]
11 March[]
List of shipwrecks: 11 March 1894
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer struck a snag and sank near in . A total loss.[15]
13 March[]
List of shipwrecks: 13 March 1894
Ship
Country
Description
Belgium
Passed Lizard Point bound for Boston, United States. No further trace.[39]
United States
The steamer caught fire on Lake Erie near Mouse Island, Ohio. She ran aground and burned, a total loss.[40]
15 March[]
List of shipwrecks: 15 March 1894
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The schooner was run down and sunk by Lake Ontario. The crew were rescued by Lake Ontario.[41]
The schooner was sunk in a collision with the tug (United States) near Elizabethport, New Jersey when the tug lost steerage in wind.[6]
11 April[]
List of shipwrecks: 11 April 1894
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer burned at Avenue Landing, Tennessee, 140 miles (230 km) above Memphis, Tennessee, a total loss.[10]
Majestic
United States
The steamer was heading into Cohansey Creek, New Jersey at 1 AM and ran aground. Refloated by a dredge on 14 April.[16]
United States
The steamer was heading into Cohansey Creek, New Jersey at 1 AM and ran aground. Refloated by a dredge on 14 April.[16]
12 April[]
List of shipwrecks: 12 April 1894
Ship
Country
Description
S A Rudolph
United States
Three-masted schooner loaded with ice blocks bound for Ocean City, Maryland from Boothbay, Maine. Captained by John P Burns of Camden, New Jersey. The ship was caught in a sudden gale on the night of 12 April and floundered on the shoals of Cape Cod. The fractured hull of the ship washed up north of Nauset Beach.[52] All six crew members perished including Captain Burns and his brothers on board the vessel.
Jennie M Carter
United States
The three-masted schooner carrying paving stones bound for New York Bay. The ship was first damaged on 10 April 1894, ship owner and captain Wesley T Ober decided that he could pilot the crippled ship and dock safely, denying aid. However, they were overtaken by the storm of 12 April. The survivors attempted to abandon the schooner in a lifeboat but did not reach land. The ship, meanwhile, had been driven by the storm onto Salisbury Beach, Massachusetts.[53] By 15 April, the crew was declared deceased after thorough searching. It is thought that the crew may have survived had they kept to the interior of the ship with the cargo. Three bodies and an overcoat belonging to the first mate were recovered; the lifeboat was recovered near Plum Island. Folklore dictates that the ship's cat was the only survivor. The story of the shipwrecks from 12 April and the previous weeks sparked national interest and thousands gathered to see the wreck of Jennie M Carter.[54] The paving stones were removed and sold at auction; some were used in Salisbury. The ship remains were considered unsalvageable and left to disintegrate on the beach where it became a well-known site. Some of the wooden frame could still be seen in 2013.
14 April[]
List of shipwrecks: 14 April 1894
Ship
Country
Description
Unger
United States
The sealingschooner was lost with all hands during a storm in the Sea of Japan.[55]
16 April[]
List of shipwrecks: 16 April 1894
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer burned and sank in the Detroit River below Sandwich Point.[36]
21 April[]
List of shipwrecks: 21 April 1894
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The yacht burned and sank after being struck by lightning at Northport, New York.[6][56]
With 70 passengers and crew aboard, the steamer was struck a rock or reef in the Pacific Ocean off Point Sur on the coast of California, she drifted off and sank in 54 feet (16 m) of water. with the loss of about six lives. Some of her survivors reached shore, while others were rescued at sea by the steamer Eureka (flag unknown).[57][58][59][33]
24 April[]
List of shipwrecks: 24 April 1894
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer was destroyed by fire at Punta Gorda, Florida.[15]
27 April[]
List of shipwrecks: 27 April 1894
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer struck an obstruction and sank in 5+1⁄2 feet (1.7 m) of water at Butler's Landing in the Cumberland River. Later raised.[10]
Unknown date[]
List of shipwrecks: Unknown April 1894
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The barkentine was wrecked sometime in April in an unknown location.[60]
United States
The fishing schooner probably sank in a gale on the Georges Bank after communicating with another vessel earlier in the storm. Lost with all 13 hands.[61][62][63]
Mascot
United States
The sealingschooner was lost with all hands during a storm in the Sea of Japan.[55]
Matthew Turner
United States
The sealingschooner was lost with all hands during a storm in the Sea of Japan.[55]
May[]
1 May[]
List of shipwrecks: 1 May 1894
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The tow steamer was sunk in a collision with a barge towed by (United States) in the Mississippi River 15 miles (24 km) above Cairo, Illinois, a total loss of both steamer and barge.[35]
The steamer struck a snag and sank at in the Red River. A total loss.[65]
United States
The steamer struck a rock off Thompson Island and was beached to prevent sinking.[14]
7 May[]
List of shipwrecks: 7 May 1894
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer was holed by a raft of timber she was towing alongside wearing a hole through her side. She was beached on and settled in nine feet (2.7 m) of water in the Mississippi River near Clinton, Iowa. Raised and repaired.[10]
10 May[]
List of shipwrecks: 10 May 1894
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The tow steamer capsized and sank in 20 feet (6.1 m) of water in a heavy wind storm near Mount Vernon, Indiana.[10]
11 May[]
List of shipwrecks: 11 May 1894
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer struck an obstruction and sank six miles (9.7 km) above the mouth of the Salt River. She was raised and beached on the Indiana side of the Ohio River opposite the mouth of the Salt River, but was a total loss.[10]
James Allen
United States
The 330-ton, 116.7-foot (35.6 m) whalingbark was wrecked on a rock in Seguam Pass on the east end of Amlia in the Aleutian Islands. One man stayed aboard James Allen and was lost. The rest of the crew abandoned ship in four lifeboats. One lifeboat carrying 15 crew members disappeared with the loss of all on board. Another, with eight men aboard, reached Atka Island, where the steamerDora (United States) picked up its occupants a week later. The other two lifeboats capsized with the loss of 10 men, but their survivors reached Umnak Island, where six more men died over the next two weeks. James Allen's captain and five crewman then made a one-week voyage to Unalaska on Unalaska Island in a small boat, after which the captain returned to Unmnak Island aboard the revenue cutterUSRC Bear ( United States Revenue-Marine) two days later to rescue the nine survivors left behind there.[66]
20 May[]
List of shipwrecks: 20 May 1894
Ship
Country
Description
New York
United States
The steamer burned to the waterline at Mill's shipyard, Camden, New Jersey while laid up at night.[16]
Pacific
United States
The steamer sank at dock in the when she was struck by (United States). Raised and repaired.[67]
25 May[]
List of shipwrecks: 25 May 1894
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer sheared out of line and struck the rocky shore of the Kentucky River just below McCowan's Ferry and sank, a total loss.[10]
31 May[]
List of shipwrecks: 31 May 1894
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer was snagged and sunk in in the Skagit River.[6]
June[]
1 June[]
List of shipwrecks: 1 June 1894
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The tug was run down and sunk by the schooner she was towing, (United States), in the East River off New York City, sinking in 60 feet (18 m) of water.[6]
2 June[]
List of shipwrecks: 2 June 1894
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The tug was run down and sunk by the steamer (a foreign vessel, flag unidentified) in the North River off New York City. Her engineer drowned.[6]
United States
The steamer struck a rock and sank at Perrins Landing, Arkansas in the White River. Raised and repaired.[10]
United States
The pleasure steamer struck an obstruction and capsized in the Wabash River. One female passenger died.[10]
3 June[]
List of shipwrecks: 3 June 1894
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer struck a rock and sank at the Cascade Falls in the Columbia River. Later raised.[6]
Maria
United States
The steamer came in contact with a submerged piling and sank at dock at Portland, Oregon.[6]
6 June[]
List of shipwrecks: 6 June 1894
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer sprung a leak and sank at New Iberia, Louisiana in Bayou Teche. Later raised.[65]
United States
The steamer was sunk when her boiler exploded at dock in New Haven, Connecticut, later raised. One crewman killed.[16]
The steamer struck Spindle Rock on Rose Island in Narragansett Bay. Refloated on 24 June and taken to New York for repairs.[14]
19 June[]
List of shipwrecks: 19 June 1894
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer struck a stone dike at Madison, Indiana and sank in shallow water in the Ohio River, a total loss. Wreck removed by the snagboat (United States).[10][70]
The lighter caught fire in Boston Harbor and was destroyed.[14]
United States
The lighter was destroyed by fire in Boston Harbor when her tow, (United States), caught fire and was destroyed, a total loss .[14]
17 July[]
List of shipwrecks: 17 July 1894
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer was damaged in a collision with (United States) in thick fog off Nortons Point Light, Coney Island and was beached, but sank.[14]
18 July[]
List of shipwrecks: 18 July 1894
Ship
Country
Description
Old Hickory No. 2
United States
The sawmill boat sprang a leak and sank near West Point, Kentucky in the Ohio River, a total loss.[10]
19 July[]
List of shipwrecks: 19 July 1894
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The passenger steamer struck an obstruction and sank in the Ohio River above Owensboro, Kentucky near Little Island. Raised and repaired.[10]
Hotspur
United States
The tow steamer struck a ledge of rock and sprung a leak just below the Louisville and Portland Canal and sank in 15 feet (4.6 m) of water in the Ohio River. Raised 23 July and taken to Louisville for repair.[10]
Lorna
United States
The yacht was damaged in a collision with fishing steamer (United States) off Green Point, Brooklyn, stoving in her bow and causing her to sink of Sands Point, New York.[14]
20 July[]
List of shipwrecks: 20 July 1894
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The brig was sunk in a collision with (United States) in dense fog off the Nantucket South Shoal, a total loss.[14]
23 July[]
List of shipwrecks: 23 July 1894
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer burned to the waterline at her dock at the foot of Railroad Avenue, Newark, New Jersey.[14]
24 July[]
List of shipwrecks: 24 July 1894
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer struck an obstruction and sank in six feet (1.8 m) of water in the Mississippi River at Chimney Rock Bend. Raised and repaired.[10]
25 July[]
List of shipwrecks: 25 July 1894
Ship
Country
Description
United Kingdom
Illustration of Kowshing's survivors being rescued by boats from the steamer Le Lion (France), from Le Petit Journal, August 1894.
First Sino-Japanese War, Kowshing Incident: The steamer, carrying Chinese troops, was sunk by gunfire by the protected cruiserNaniwa (Imperial Japanese Navy) in the Yellow Sea off Asan, Chungcheongnam-do, Korea, with the loss of around 800 lives.
First Sino-Japanese War: Battle of Pungdo: The gunboat ran aground on rocks in the Yellow Sea off Asan, Chungcheongnam-do, Korea, during combat with Imperial Japanese Navycruisers and was destroyed when her ammunition magazine exploded.
26 July[]
List of shipwrecks: 26 July 1894
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer burned at dock in Mayport, Florida.[35]
Shamokin
United States
The barge was sunk in a collision in thick fog with (United States) near Pollock Rip Shoal. Crew rescued by H. M. Whitney.[14]
28 July[]
List of shipwrecks: 28 July 1894
Ship
Country
Description
Netherlands
The passenger ship was in collision with the barqueErnst (Germany) and sank in the English Channel 5 nautical miles (9.3 km; 5.8 mi) south south west of Folkestone, Kent, United Kingdom. All 28 people on board were rescued.[73]
29 July[]
List of shipwrecks: 29 July 1894
Ship
Country
Description
Glad Tidings
United States
The schooner sank almost instantly with the loss of her entire crew of four when she collided with the whalebacksteamerPathfinder (flag unknown) in the Detroit River near Ecorse, Michigan.[74]
Unknown schooner
The schooner was sunk in a collision with (United States) in the Detroit River.[36]
30 July[]
List of shipwrecks: 30 July 1894
Ship
Country
Description
Canada
The barque ran aground and was wrecked on the south coast of Cape Sable Island, Nova Scotia. Her eighteen crew survived. She was on a voyage from Dublin, United Kingdom to Saint John, New Brunswick.[75]
31 July[]
List of shipwrecks: 31 July 1894
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The passenger steamer struck an obstruction and sank in shallow water between Evansville, Indiana and Spottsville, Kentucky. Raised and repaired.[10]
Unknown date[]
List of shipwrecks: Unknown date in July 1894
Ship
Country
Description
Chile
The cargo ship was wrecked on the Chilean coast.[76]
August[]
1 August[]
List of shipwrecks: 1 August 1894
Ship
Country
Description
Grenadier
United Kingdom
Collided with steamer in fog during early morning hours and sank within half an hour.[77]
United States
The steamer struck a snag and sank in the Mississippi River at Sturgeon Bend 14 miles (23 km) below Prescott, Wisconsin. Later raised.[71]
2 August[]
List of shipwrecks: 2 August 1894
Ship
Country
Description
Columbia
United States
The steamer burned to the waterline in the Columbia River four miles (6.4 km) into Canada.[6]
The launch was damaged in a collision with the schooner (United States) near Execution Lighthouse, New York in the East River and was beached. The captain's wife died.[14]
Marie
United States
The steamer was destroyed by fire at Orton's Wharf on the Cape Fear River 15 miles (24 km) below Wilmington, North Carolina.[16]
The steamer struck an obstruction and sank in 16 feet (4.9 m) of water in Coon Slough. Raised and repaired.[10]
6 August[]
List of shipwrecks: 6 August 1894
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The pleasure steamer was struck and sunk by the ferry (United States) due to a steering failure near the lighthouse between Hudson and Athens, New York.[14]
7 August[]
List of shipwrecks: 7 August 1894
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer was destroyed by fire in Lake Superior 20 miles (32 km) off Ontonagon, Michigan due to an exploding lamp in the engine room. Her crew abandoned ship in her boats before midnight and were rescued by George Spencer (United States) in the morning.[79][80]
United States
The schooner wrecked in the Magdalen Islands by mistaking for . Crew saved.[81]
8 August[]
List of shipwrecks: 8 August 1894
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The tow steamer was sunk in a collision with tow steamer (United States) in Sandusky Bay.[15]
United States
The passenger steamer was sunk when she struck a snag in the Mississippi River at Keokuk, Iowa. Raised and repaired.[35]
9 August[]
List of shipwrecks: 9 August 1894
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer burned to the waterline while lying at Waterloo, Alabama in the Tennessee River.[10]
10 August[]
List of shipwrecks: 10 August 1894
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer struck a rock and sank in 12 feet (3.7 m) of water in the upper rapids of the Mississippi River. Raised and repaired.[10]
The steamer struck a snag and sank in four feet (1.2 m) of water in the Mississippi River between Albany, Illinois and Camanche, Iowa. Immediately raised and repaired.[10]
22 August[]
List of shipwrecks: 22 August 1894
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer struck an obstruction at Moscow, Ohio and sank. Raised and repaired.[10]
23 August[]
List of shipwrecks: 23 August 1894
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer stranded on , Cormorant Island, British Columbia in dense fog. Refloated on 26 August and steamed to Alert Bay where she was beached for repairs. Refloated on 30 August.[6]
24 August[]
List of shipwrecks: 24 August 1894
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer struck the Aqua Vitae Ledge in Salem Harbor. Before she could be refloated she caught fire and was destroyed.[14]
United States
The tug was sunk at dock at Sault St. Marie at the entrance to the when she was struck by (United States).[79][83][84]
26 August[]
List of shipwrecks: 26 August 1894
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The tow steamer was sunk at dock in the Cuyahoga River when struck by steamer (United States) in Sandusky Bay.[15]
Gertrude
United Kingdom
The ship was driven ashore and wrecked at Chesil Beach, Dorset.[85]
27 August[]
List of shipwrecks: 27 August 1894
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer burned to the waterline at dock in Bridgeton, New Jersey.[16]
The laid up steamer was destroyed by fire at Baton Rouge, Louisiana.[65]
Unknown date[]
List of shipwrecks: Unknown date August 1894
Ship
Country
Description
Hibernia
The steamer sank with the loss of two crew members after colliding with the paddle steamerPrince of Wales (Isle of Man). Prince of Wales rescued one survivor.
September[]
3 September[]
List of shipwrecks: 3 September 1894
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The motor schooner was sunk in a collision with (United States) near Pittsburg, California in the San Joaquin River.[33]
First Sino-Japanese War: Battle of the Yalu River: The armored cruiser exploded, capsized, and sank in the Yellow Sea off the mouth of the Yalu River with the loss of 263 lives during combat with Imperial Japanese Navy warships. Seven of her crew survived.
First Sino-Japanese War: Battle of the Yalu River: The dispatch vessel was badly damaged during combat with Imperial Japanese Navy warships in the Yellow Sea off the mouth of the Yalu River and was beached near Port Arthur, becoming a total loss.
First Sino-Japanese War: Battle of the Yalu River: The cruiser suffered heavy damage in combat with the protected cruisers Akitsushima, Naniwa, Takachiho, and Yoshino (all Imperial Japanese Navy) in the Yellow Sea off the mouth of the Yalu River, then sank after colliding with the armored cruiser Jingyuan (Imperial Chinese Navy).
First Sino-Japanese War: Battle of the Yalu River: The protected cruiser exploded and sank in the Yellow Sea off the mouth of the Yalu River with the loss of 245 lives during combat with Imperial Japanese Navy warships. Seven of her crew survived.
18 September[]
List of shipwrecks: 18 September 1894
Ship
Country
Description
Germany
The barque was wrecked near Ilio Point, Molokai, Hawaii after being caught by strong currents. Her crew survived. She was on a voyage from Middlesbrough, United Kingdom to Honolulu with coal, liquor and general cargo.[87]
John B. McMahon
United States
The canal boat was sunk in a collision with the ferry (United States) that also struck the tug (United States) which was towing John B. McMahon off Pier 5 in the East River.[14]
22 September[]
List of shipwrecks: 22 September 1894
Ship
Country
Description
Comet
United States
The steamer burned at Covington, Kentucky while under going repairs when a lamp was overturned, a total loss.[10]<
James Pickands
United States
The steamer stranded on Eagle River Reef, or Sawtooth Reef, in dense smoke and fog off in Lake Superior. She broke in two during a storm on 25 September, a total loss.[79][88]
23 September[]
List of shipwrecks: 23 September 1894
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer while lying at Cramer Hill, Camden, New Jersey caught fire and burned to the waterline.[16]
United States
The steamer burned at dock in Portland, Oregon when set afire by a burning unknown barge, a total loss.[6]
25 September[]
List of shipwrecks: 25 September 1894
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer was damaged by a boom in the Snohomish River and was beached to prevent sinking in deep water.[6]
The steamer was sunk in a collision with the barge Ironton in Thunder Bay eight miles (13 km) north east of Presque Isle, Michigan.[89][79]
William Home
United States
During a voyage from Manistique, Michigan, to Buffalo, New York, with a cargo of 579 tons of pig iron, under tow by the steamerF. R. Buell (United States), the schooner heeled over and sank in Lake Michigan off on the coast of Michigan during a gale after her cargo shifted. Her crew of seven abandoned ship in a yawl, but six of them died when the yawl capsized. The lone survivor clung to the overturned yawl and reached shore near Seul Choix Light.[90]
27 September[]
List of shipwrecks: 27 September 1894
Ship
Country
Description
United Kingdom
The steamer struck rocks off the Burlings Lighthouse, Portugal and was beached.[91]
28 September[]
List of shipwrecks: 28 September 1894
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer while lying at Williams Street Wharf, Philadelphia caught fire and sank.[16]
Unknown date[]
List of shipwrecks: Unknown September 1894
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The schooner left a west coast port on 27 September and vanished.[92]
October[]
1 October[]
List of shipwrecks: 1 October 1894
Ship
Country
Description
United Kingdom
The steamer collided with the tanker (Belgium) in the Delaware River and sank. She later was raised, repaired, and returned to service.[39]
United States
The steamer struck a reef in the Mississippi River, capsized and sank near Cairo, Illinois. Later raised.[10]
United States
The anchored schooner was wrecked in a heavy gale when dashed on the rocks at . Her crew was rescued a week later.[93]
6 October[]
List of shipwrecks: 6 October 1894
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer, laid up for the Winter in the Harlem River, was destroyed by fire.[14]
United States
The vessel was cut in two in a collision with a foreign vessel in the Gulf of Mexico, between Cedar Key, Florida and Mobile, Alabama. Four crewmen killed.[42]
7 October[]
List of shipwrecks: 7 October 1894
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer left her moorings at Portland, Maine with out anyone on board during the night. She caught fire, burned to the waterline and sank.[16]
8 October[]
List of shipwrecks: 8 October 1894
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The fishing vessel sank in a storm. Seven crewmen killed.[42]
United States
The schooner was beached during a storm on Santa Rosa Island, Florida. Possibly refloated, repaired and returned to service.[94]
United States
The fishing vessel sank in a storm. Four crewmen killed.[95]
10 October[]
List of shipwrecks: 10 October 1894
Ship
Country
Description
Eunice Cobb
United States
The launch sprang a leak and sank at Pier 47 South, Philadelphia.[16]
United States
: The fishing steamer dragged anchor and went ashore on Rocky Point, New York on Long Island. After several attempts to refloat failed she was abandoned as a total loss after the boiler and engine were salvaged.[16]
United States
: The steamer foundered in a gale while at anchor at Port Charlotte, Florida.[65]
United States
: The steamer was wrecked on a breakwater at Point Judith in a hurricane, a total loss. A line was found wrapped around her wheel. Lost with all five hands.[14]
11 October[]
List of shipwrecks: 11 October 1894
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The passenger steamer struck a snag and sank in eight feet (2.4 m) of water at . Raised and repaired.[10]
12 October[]
List of shipwrecks: 12 October 1894
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer was holed by a stump on a dropping tide in the Cowlitz River at Gilbert's Mill and sank.[6]
Mist
United States
After her anchor chains parted during a storm, the 17.87-net register ton, 50-foot (15.2 m) schooner drifted ashore and was dashed to pieces at or near Sitka, Territory of Alaska. Her crew of three survived.[12]
13 October[]
List of shipwrecks: 13 October 1894
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The tow steamer was sunk when she struck a snag in the Mississippi River at Cape Girardeau, a total loss.[35]
Alva Bradley
United States
During a voyage from Fairport, Ohio, to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with a cargo of steelbillets, the 649-gross register ton, 189-foot (58 m) schooner sank during a gale in northern Lake Michigan off the coast of Michigan between North Manitou Island and South Manitou Island. The six men and one woman aboard were rescued by a United States Life-Saving Service crew from North Manitou Island.[96]
20 October[]
List of shipwrecks: 20 October 1894
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The tug was sunk in a collision with the ferry (United States) in the lower end of the Buttermilk Channel in Upper New York Bay in New York City. Her engineer was killed.[14]
21 October[]
List of shipwrecks: 21 October 1894
Ship
Country
Description
Drew
United States
With 150 passengers aboard, the sidewheel paddle steamer ran aground in heavy fog on Washington Point at the northern end of Manhattan in New York City. After her passengers disembarked onto Manhattan Island via gangplank, the sidewheel paddle steamer Shady Side (United States) pulled her off the rocks after the tide rose.[97]
Three unidentified ships
The ships ran aground in heavy fog at New York City.[97]
24 October[]
List of shipwrecks: 24 October 1894
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer sank at dock at Georgetown, Washington, D.C. when she hung up on the dock on a rising tide. One crewman killed.[16]
Vennerne
Norway
The barque was driven ashore at Worms Head, Glamorgan, United Kingdom and was wrecked. All ten people on board survived.[43]
The passenger steamer was on a voyage from Auckland, New Zealand, to Australia when she hit a reef at the northern edge of Great Barrier Island, about 100 kilometres (54 nmi) from Auckland, and sank with the loss of about 140 lives. It remains one of the deadliest maritime disasters in New Zealand's history.
25 October[]
List of shipwrecks: 25 October 1894
Ship
Country
Description
George R. White
United States
After her captain mailed a letter from Unalaska, Territory of Alaska, dated 25 October expressing his intention to follow the seal herds south to the tropics in the fall of 1894 and then back north in the spring of 1895, the 37.6-gross register ton, 61.2-foot (18.7 m) sealingschooner and her 15-man crew were never heard from again.[98]
27 October[]
List of shipwrecks: 27 October 1894
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer foundered in 40 feet (12 m) of water in Thunder Bay after springing a leak 2 miles (3.2 km) north of Thunder Bay Island. Broke up in a gale ten days later. Wreck located in 1907. Much of her machinery was salvaged.[79][99][100]
28 October[]
List of shipwrecks: 28 October 1894
Ship
Country
Description
Ada
United States
The barge, being towed by (United States), was struck and sunk by the barge J. F. Merry (United States) when she lost her towline to her tug (United States) near Hell Gate in the East River.[14]
29 October[]
List of shipwrecks: 29 October 1894
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The tug when leaving dock was struck and sunk by the tug (United States) that was going into dock at Palmer's Dock, Williamsburg, Brooklyn.[14]
31 October[]
List of shipwrecks: 31 October 1894
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The tow steamer sprung a leak and sank in Lake Erie 2 miles (3.2 km) off Cleveland, Ohio due to a burst pipe. Her crew rescued by a passing tug.[15]
United States
The steamer struck a snag and sank at Red Cross Landing, Mississippi in the Tallahatchie River. Later raised.[65]
Unknown date[]
List of shipwrecks: Unknown October 1894
Ship
Country
Description
Norway
The barque ran aground and was wrecked in an unknown location sometime in October.[101]
The steamer was destroyed by fire at Oswego, New York.[15]
4 November[]
List of shipwrecks: 4 November 1894
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The laid up steamer was destroyed by fire at Ashland, Kentucky, a total loss.[10]
United States
The steamer was destroyed in a boat house when a warehouse burned at Ogdensburg, New York.[15]
United States
The wrecking steamer caught fire near Point Conception, California while working on the wreck of Gosford and was abandoned because of dynamite on board. Sank on 5 November.[33]
The steamer was sunk in the St. Clair River at Marine City, Michigan in a collision with (United States). Raised 9 November and taken to Port Huron, Michigan for repairs. She suffered a fire on board during repairs on 1 December. Back in service by 1 August 1895.[40][102]
6 November[]
List of shipwrecks: 6 November 1894
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer burned at dock over night at sault St. Marie, a total loss. Her two firemen died.[79]
United States
The fishing steamer was destroyed by fire at dock at Vermillion, Ohio.[15]
United States
The steamer was destroyed by fire at dock at Grand Rapids, Michigan.[47]
8 November[]
List of shipwrecks: 8 November 1894
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer, laid up waiting to be broken up, sank at dock in Pittsburgh.[36]
12 November[]
List of shipwrecks: 12 November 1894
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer struck a reef off Centerville, Wisconsin in a heavy wind and snow storm. She was scuttled and abandoned, but pulled off a few days later.[79]
13 November[]
List of shipwrecks: 13 November 1894
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The laid up steamer sprang a leak and sank at Algiers, Louisiana, a total loss.[65]
16 November[]
List of shipwrecks: 16 November 1894
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer sank at due to a defective sea cock. Raised and repaired.[10]
18 November[]
List of shipwrecks: 18 November 1894
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer struck a snag and sank in the Oclockony River. Later raised.[65]
19 November[]
List of shipwrecks: 19 November 1894
Ship
Country
Description
Eddie
United States
The junk was sunk in the Buffalo River at Buffalo, New York in a collision with (United States) 1,000 feet (300 m) above the Michigan Street bridge.[40]
United States
The tug caught fire off Hunters Point, Queens, in the East River. She was run ashore where she was destroyed by the fire.[14]
22 November[]
List of shipwrecks: 22 November 1894
Ship
Country
Description
Unknown schooner
United States
The schooner was sunk in a collision with Georgia (United States) in Chesapeake Bay near .[16]
The cargo steamer ran aground on the outer shoal off Cape Romain, South Carolina, then floated off and sank.
24 November[]
List of shipwrecks: 24 November 1894
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The schooner was sunk in a collision with (United States) in lower Boston Harbor. Six crewmen killed.[14]
United States
The schooner went ashore by the Highland Light, Cape Cod. Later refloated. Her crew was rescued by the United States Life Saving Service.[103]
26 November[]
List of shipwrecks: 26 November 1894
Ship
Country
Description
B. Brandeth
United States
The lighter was sunk in a collision with the tug (United States) in the East River.[14]
27 November[]
List of shipwrecks: 27 November 1894
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The schooner went ashore on Pass Island near , Nova Scotia, a cabin stove overturned and she burned to the waterline. Her crew made it to shore in her dories.[104]
29 November[]
List of shipwrecks: 29 November 1894
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer sank at the Northern Pacific Wharf, Tacoma, Washington as a result of a landslide.[6]
30 November[]
List of shipwrecks: 30 November 1894
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer was destroyed by fire over night at dock in Pittsburgh.[36]
United States
The steamer burned at dock at Portland, Maine, a total loss.[16]
Unknown date[]
List of shipwrecks: Unknown November 1894
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The schooner was wrecked sometime in November in an unknown location.[105]
December[]
1 December[]
List of shipwrecks: 1 December 1894
Ship
Country
Description
Dora
United States
The passenger steamer was sunk when she struck a snag in the Mississippi River ten miles (16 km) above St. Louis, a total loss.[35]
The launch was sunk in a collision in fog with (United States) off Island No. 8, in the Mississippi River 55 miles (89 km) below Cairo, Illinois, a total loss.[10]
The barque was wrecked at Blackpool. Her entire crew of 17 and a dog were saved.
United States
The steamer sprung a leak in the St. Johns River. When her helm was put hard over into a turn she careened, filled, and sank. Later raised. Two crewmen killed.[35]
The 361-ton whalingbark was wrecked on the of the Kamchatka Peninsula in Siberia, 40 nautical miles (74 km; 46 mi) south of .[72]
Albert W. Smith
Unknown
The schooner was lost in the vicinity of "Squan Beach," a term used at the time for the coast of New Jersey near Manasquan and sometimes for the 7-mile (11 km) stretch of coast between Manasquan Inlet and Cranberry Inlet or for the entire coast of New Jersey between Sea Girt and Barnegat Inlet.[115]
Alert
United States
The steamer was sunk in a collision with Islander (United States) near Round Island in the St Lawrence River.[15]
Mary H. Thomas
United States
The 94-ton trading schooner was lost in the Bering Sea.[12]
Susan H. Ritchie
Unknown
The schooner was lost on the coast of New Jersey on 11 April 1894[116] between Bay Head and Mantoloking.[115]
References[]
^"50 Human Lives Swallowed Up in Angry Seas Outside of Cape Cod, Storm-Beaten Coast a Graveyard Since Dec 5th". The Boston Journal. 14 April 1894.
^ abChesneau, Roger, and Eugene M. Kolesnik, Conway′s All the World′s Fighting Ships, 1860-1905, New York: Mayflower Books, 1979, ISBN0-8317-0302-4, p. 358.].
^"1894". downtothesea.com. Retrieved 15 June 2021.
^"Brown, Fayette (1887, bulk freighter)". Alpena County George H. Fletcher Public Library northeast Michigan Oral History and Historic photographic archive. Retrieved 26 February 2020.