The barque was wrecked in a storm on a reef 10 miles (16 km) south of Cape Alava and broke up. 18 were killed, 2 survivors.[1]
3 January[]
List of shipwrecks: 3 January 1903
Ship
Country
Description
Remedios Pascual
Spain
During a voyage from Buenos Aires, Argentina, to New York City carrying a crew of 21 men and a cargo of animal bones destined for a fertilizer factory, the 1,605-ton schooner was wrecked in thick fog during a gale about 200 yards (183 m) off Ship Bottom, New Jersey, and about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) north of the Ship Bottom Life-Saving Station. The United States Life-Saving Service rescued her entire crew. Her wreck sank in 20 to 30 feet (6 to 9 m) of water and is known as the "Bone Wreck" and the "Surf City Wreck."[2][3][4]
7 January[]
List of shipwrecks: 7 January 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer struck an obstruction at the mouth of the Mobile River in Alabama and was beached. She was refloated and repaired.[5]
8 January[]
List of shipwrecks: 8 January 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer struck a hidden obstruction in the Arkansas River between Memphis, Tennessee and Pine Bluff, Arkansas and sank.[6]
9 January[]
List of shipwrecks: 9 January 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer sank at dock at Palatka, Florida due to a broken pipe. Raised, repaired and returned to service.[7][8]
United Kingdom
The steamship was wrecked at Bempton Cliffs, Flamborough Head, Yorkshire, United Kingdom.[9]
Otto
United States
The laid up steamer burned at Freeport, Florida.[10]
United Kingdom
The cargo ship was sighted whilst on a voyage from Liverpool, Lancashire to Boston, Massachusetts, United States. No further trace, presumed foundered in the Atlantic Ocean with the loss of all 39 crew.[11]
13 January[]
List of shipwrecks: 13 January 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The tug ran aground at high tide on a steep bank in the harbor at Charleston, South Carolina. When the tide dropped she slid off and sank. One crewman killed.[12]
16 January[]
List of shipwrecks: 16 January 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The tow steamer sank at dock in Tottenville, New York due to a damaged plank.[13]
17 January[]
List of shipwrecks: 17 January 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer capsized and sank at the mouth of the Tangipahoa River, possibly from being close to the bank edge with the river level dropping.[14]
The steamer sprung a leak in a gale and foundered 100 miles (160 km) off Spurn Point. All nine crew were rescued by the trawler (United Kingdom).[26]
4 February[]
List of shipwrecks: 4 February 1903
Ship
Country
Description
The Newcastle steamer was wrecked on the Runnelstone. Her crew took to two lifeboats, one of which reached land and the other, with five crew members on board, was taken to Penzance in the Sennen Cove Lifeboat StationlifeboatAnn Newbon ( Royal National Lifeboat Institution).[27]
Espingole
French Navy
The Durandal-classdestroyer hit a rock and sank in Cavalaire Bay off Cavalaire-sur-Mer, France. Her wreck was sold as scrap in December 1909.
Marina (or Mariana)
United States
During a voyage from Killisnoo to Hoonah, Territory of Alaska, with her owner, five passengers, and a cargo of camp supplies and potatoes on board, the 5-ton, 30-foot (9.1 m) sloop was wrecked on a reef in Chatham Strait in the Alexander Archipelago in Southeast Alaska, probably at (57°47′30″N134°42′35″W / 57.79167°N 134.70972°W / 57.79167; -134.70972 (Fishery Point)). All on board survived the initial wreck and all of her cargo was brought ashore, but her owner and two other men who went back aboard her to await the rising tide to refloat her perished, two of them disappearing completely.[28]
United States
The tow steamer ran aground in thick fog at in the East River. Refloated on 7 February.[29]
The steamer listed on a rising tide and sank at Pier 83 North, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Raised the next day.[31]
7 February[]
List of shipwrecks: 7 February 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer was destroyed by fire at Stokes Wharf, Rancocas Creek, Pennsylvania.[32]
8 February[]
List of shipwrecks: 8 February 1903
Ship
Country
Description
Brunswick
United States
The steamer went aground at Fort Bragg, California. Later refloated and repaired.[33]
Canada
The schooner capsized at Port Greville, Nova Scotia. She was later salvaged, repaired and returned to service.[34]
United States
The lighter sank at dock over night due to leaky seams at Boston, Massachusetts. Raised and repaired.[35]
11 February[]
List of shipwrecks: 11 February 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer was lost to fire at , between Seattle and Ballard.[36][37]
16 February[]
List of shipwrecks: 16 February 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The schooner was sunk in a severe squall at Newport News, Virginia. Later raised.[38]
United States
The steamer foundered in what is described as a "hurricane" or "whirlwind" in the Chowan River that caused her to careen, and fill with water, she righted herself and sank between Mount Pleasant and Oliver's Wharf with only her pilothouse above water. 18 killed, her captain and 5 others were rescued from the pilothouse by (United States). Eight others left in a lifeboat and boarded a barge, from which they were rescued by (United States).[39][40][38]
United States
The schooner was sunk in a severe squall at Newport News, Virginia. Later raised.[38]
The steamship was wrecked off Feunteun Aod, Finistère, France.[48]
27 February[]
List of shipwrecks: 27 February 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United Kingdom
The steamer ran aground and was wrecked three nautical miles (5.6 km; 3.5 mi) west of Polhawn Cove in Whitsand Bay.[49]
Mouse
United Kingdom
The smack got into difficulties off Cardigan. All four people on board were rescued by Lizzie & Charles Leigh Clare ( Royal National Lifeboat Institution).[50]
The ocean liner ran aground on sand and mud in the entrance to while leaving New York City. She was refloated late the same day, found to be undamaged, and proceeded with her voyage.
United States
The steamer struck a snag, capsized and sank at Lock No. 5 in the Little Kanawha River. Raised and repaired.[51]
Unknown date[]
List of shipwrecks: Unknown date 1903
Ship
Country
Description
Ambriz
France
The Cie Française Charbonnage et de la Batelage ("French Coaling & Shipping Co.") vessel was wrecked off the coast of Madagascar while serving as a coaldepot ship.
The barque was on passage from New Zealand to Liverpool when she lost part of her mast and head gear off the Pendeen Lighthouse, and drifted onto the Brisons in a northwest–by–west gale and was wrecked. All the crew were lost.[27]
The car float, under tow of (United States), sank in a collision in fog with the passenger steamer off Tenth St. in the East River. 14 rail cars on board rolled off as she sank.[67]
15 March[]
List of shipwrecks: 15 March 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer burned at Charleroi, Pennsylvania. Later rebuilt.[68]
19 March[]
List of shipwrecks: 19 March 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer sank up to her 2nd deck in the Ocklawaha River in 20 feet (6.1 m) of water. Two crewmen killed. Raised in April, repaired and returned to service.[69][70]
United States
The steamer burned and sank in the Sacramento River near when an oil lamp fell off a bulkhead, a total loss.[71]
20 March[]
List of shipwrecks: 20 March 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The tug, while assisting steamer Winifred (United States) in the Delaware River off Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania, was run into by Winifred causing her to careen, fill and sink. Five crewmen were killed. Two crewmen were rescued by a barge towed by Winifred and one crewman climbed Winifred's anchor chain.[72]
23 March[]
List of shipwrecks: 23 March 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The schooner was sunk in a collision with Huron (United States) in dense fog and heavy seas. The crew were rescued by Huron's boats.[73]
24 March[]
List of shipwrecks: 24 March 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The schooner was sunk in a collision with (United States) in fog off Boston, Massachusetts. The crew were rescued by Parthian.[74]
27 March[]
List of shipwrecks: 27 March 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The tow steamer was backing out of dock at Rivington Street, New York City and was caught on a spile causing her to capsize and sink. Her captain was killed. Later raised.[75]
31 March[]
List of shipwrecks: 31 March 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United Kingdom
The steamer sprang a leak at Catherine Hill Bay, New South Wales, Australia, and sank. She was scrapped in situ after it was found she was too badly damaged to repair.[76]
The steamer burned due to an over turned lamp at Burlington, Vermont, a total loss.[81]
John C. Fitzpatrick
United States
The 242-foot (73.8 m), 1,277-gross register tonschooner barge suffered an explosion and sank in 130 feet (40 m) of water in the North Atlantic Ocean south of Long Island near East Hampton, New York. Her entire crew of five perished.[82]
Unknown barge
United States
The dumper barge, under tow of (United States), sank while being towed to sea from New York City off the Whistling Buoy. Her only crewman died.[83]
13 April[]
List of shipwrecks: 13 April 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The schooner was sunk in a collision with in dense fog, either at the Entrance to Galveston Harbor, or 28 miles (45 km) south east of Galveston in 8+1⁄2fathoms (51 ft; 15.5 m) of water, which ever place, it was shallow enough for the wreck to be marked with a buoy.[84][85][86]
21 April[]
List of shipwrecks: 21 April 1903
Ship
Country
Description
Norway
The steamer was wrecked near Scharhörn on her passage from to Harlingen, Friesland, Netherlands.[87]
28 April[]
List of shipwrecks: 28 April 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer foundered at the mouth of the . Raised and repaired.[88]
29 April[]
List of shipwrecks: 29 April 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer was wrecked in a blizzard and gale on a reef off Gooseberry River on the north shore of Lake Superior and broke up.[89][90]
30 April[]
List of shipwrecks: 30 April 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer was destroyed by fire at dock in Charleston, South Carolina.[91]
A canal boat, under tow, was sunk in a collision with another towed canal boat off Sixth Street, Jersey City, New Jersey.[93]
5 May[]
List of shipwrecks: 5 May 1903
Ship
Country
Description
Saginaw
United States
The steamer was sunk in a collision with (United States) in dense fog off Hog Island, Virginia. Eight passengers and six crew were killed. 21 crew and 11 passengers were rescued by Hamilton's boats, but one stewardess died in the boat.[94][95]
6 May[]
List of shipwrecks: 6 May 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The fishing schooner was wrecked off Whale Cove near . Her captain and 14 crew died, 3 made it to shore.[96][97]
9 May[]
List of shipwrecks: 9 May 1903
Ship
Country
Description
Canada
The schooner was wrecked off Sable Island, Nova Scotia.[98]
12 May[]
List of shipwrecks: 12 May 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The 46-gross register tonscrew steamer sank in the Delaware River after colliding with the steam screwtug (United States) off Chestnut Street Wharf in Camden, New Jersey. Harry M. Wall tried to beach Quaker City, but she sank on the east side of the Ship Channel before she could be beached. All six people aboard Quaker City survived.[99][100]
18 May[]
List of shipwrecks: 18 May 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The tug was sunk in a collision in fog with (United States) at the entrance to Duluth, Minnesota-Superior, Wisconsin Harbor. One crewman killed. Raised and repaired.[101][102]
20 May[]
List of shipwrecks: 20 May 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer was destroyed by fire 20 miles (32 km) north west of Goderich, Ontario.[103][104]
Unknown schooner
United States
The schooner sank in a collision with a barge under the tow of steamer (United States) off Cape Cod. The crew transferred by small boat to the barge.[105]
On leaving Antwerp, the passenger-cargo ship was in collision in the River Scheldt with the steamer (Norway). All 17 members of her crew were saved but all 22 of her passengers – emigrants from Galicia on their way to Canada – drowned.[108]
The passenger-cargo ship foundered in mountainous seas in the Tasman Sea near Cabbage Tree Island off New South Wales, Australia, with the loss of 11 lives. The steamer (flag unknown) rescued her seven survivors.
28 May[]
List of shipwrecks: 28 May 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer capsized and sank when the coal barge she was towing grounded at "The Trap" in the Ohio River. The wreck was abandoned. Her engines and other machinery was salvaged and placed in another steamer.[109][110]
29 May[]
List of shipwrecks: 29 May 1903
Ship
Country
Description
France
The steamer ran aground and was wrecked on Burhou Island off AlderneyChannel Islands on a voyage from Boulogne to Bayonne with general cargo.[111]
30 May[]
List of shipwrecks: 30 May 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer struck a snag and sank in the White River near .[112]
The steamer broke loose from her dock at Kansas City, Kansas and was swept by a strong current in the Kaw River into bridge piers and sunk. Total loss.[114]
United States
The steamer was sunk at Wetherill's Wharf, when a falling tide dropped her on a stump punching a hole in her bottom.[115]
Unknown date[]
List of shipwrecks: Unknown May 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer caught fire and sank at dock in Washington, D.C. on 10 or 13 May.[116][117]
United States
The steamer was lost to fire in the Detroit River at the foot of Chase Street, Detroit on 18 or 25 May.[118][119]
June[]
3 June[]
List of shipwrecks: 3 June 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The stern paddle wheel steamer, towing the excursion barge Little Gate, while passing under the Wabash Railroad Bridge at Hannibal, Missouri was turned sideways by the current striking the bridge piers with her stern and then backing into the riverbank destroying her paddle wheel, rendering her helpless. She sank in 40 feet (12 m) of water below the bridge, a total loss. Three passengers and one crewman killed, either from the ship or the barge. Survivors climbed onto the bridge or were rescued by a ferry and skiffs.[120][121]
Little Gate
United States
The excursion barge struck the Wabash Railroad Bridge at Hannibal, Missouri and turned on her side after her tow steamer was wrecked, she drifted down stream and eventually drifted ashore. Three passengers and one crewman killed, either from the ship or the barge. Survivors climbed onto the bridge or were rescued by a ferry and skiffs.[122][121]
5 June[]
List of shipwrecks: 5 June 1903
Ship
Country
Description
Empire State
United States
The laid up steamer was destroyed by fire over night at dock at Kingston, Ontario.[123]
7 June[]
List of shipwrecks: 7 June 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer struck a rock and sank at Six Mile Island in the Allegheny River. Raised and repaired.[124]
9 June[]
List of shipwrecks: 9 June 1903
Ship
Country
Description
Otto
United States
The laid up steamer burned at Freeport, Florida, probably arson.[125]
10 June[]
List of shipwrecks: 10 June 1903
Ship
Country
Description
Puritan
United States
The canal boat sank at dock at Jersey City, New Jersey.[126]
Belgium
The steamer capsized and sank in the North Sea. Eleven crew killed, four rescued by (Norway).[127]
12 June[]
List of shipwrecks: 12 June 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer sunk by flooding while hauled out for repairs at Lexington, Missouri. Total loss.[128]
The steamer foundered in a severe gale and heavy seas in Lake Erie 1,500 feet (460 m) off the light for Cleveland, Ohio in 38 feet (12 m) of water, a total loss. Her master was killed, two tugs rescued the rest of the crew.[130][131]
The decommissioned Scorpion-classironcladturret ship foundered in the Atlantic Ocean while under tow from the United Kingdom to the United States for scrapping.
23 June[]
List of shipwrecks: 23 June 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The tug was sunk in a collision with (United States) on Lake Erie near , Canada, or Windmill Point, Ontario. Three crewmen killed.[132][133]
25 June[]
List of shipwrecks: 25 June 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The motorboat struck a snag near Isleton, California in the Sacramento River and was beached and repaired.[134]
United States
The steamer struck a submerged piling during a rapid drop in river level and sank at dock in the Mississippi River at Vicksburg, Mississippi.[135]
30 June[]
List of shipwrecks: 30 June 1903
Ship
Country
Description
James G. Swan
United States
The 44-ton sealingschooner sank on the coast of the Territory of Alaska.[136]
M. M. Morill
United States
The 43-ton sealingschooner sank without loss of life on the coast of the Territory of Alaska.[28]
United States
The steamer was destroyed by fire in the St. Clair River. Removal of wreck completed 13 August.[137][138][139]
July[]
2 July[]
List of shipwrecks: 2 July 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The ferry was destroyed by fire between Athens, New York and Coxsackie, New York.[140]
8 July[]
List of shipwrecks: 8 July 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer struck a submerged obstruction in the Arkansas River near Fites Landing and sank. One crewman killed.[141]
13 July[]
List of shipwrecks: 13 July 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The schooner sank in the St. Clair River near the head of Russell Island. Wreck removed by 3 September.[142]
The 5,455 GRT cargo steamer on a voyage from Montreal to Bristol and Liverpool with a cargo of cattle, lumber and foodstuffs ran aground near the Plate Point Lighthouse on the island of , and was subsequently abandoned.
17 July[]
List of shipwrecks: 17 July 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The sloop was sunk in a collision with (United States) above Esopus Lighthouse in the Hudson River. Her captain died.[143]
18 July[]
List of shipwrecks: 18 July 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The sloop was sunk in a collision with (United States) off in the Hudson River. Her captain was killed.[144]
North Pacific sinking with an insurance launch alongside.
The sidewheel paddle steamer went off course in fog, struck a rock, and sank off Marrowstone Island, Washington in deep water, a total loss. Crew and passengers reach shore in her boats.[145]
22 July[]
List of shipwrecks: 22 July 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The laid up tug sank at dock when struck by Eastland (United States) at the Lake Street Bridge, Chicago, Illinois.[146]
United States
The steamer sunk in a collision on Lake Huron with (Canada).[147]
23 July[]
List of shipwrecks: 23 July 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer burned at Port Orchard, Washington.[148]
24 July[]
List of shipwrecks: 24 July 1903
Ship
Country
Description
Shawmut
United States
The fuel scow was damaged when rammed at the Lackawanna Coal dock, Buffalo, New York, by (United States). She drifted around the end of the dock and sank.[149]
25 July[]
List of shipwrecks: 25 July 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer was sunk at dock at Two Harbors, Minnesota when a bilge pump failed. Raised and beached in to await repairs.[150][151]
27 July[]
List of shipwrecks: 27 July 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer burned to the waterline at Pier 28 South, Philadelphia.[152]
August[]
2 August[]
List of shipwrecks: 2 August 1903
Ship
Country
Description
Tennie and Laura
United States
The schooner capsized and sank in Lake Michigan nine nautical miles (17 km) off Port Washington, Wisconsin. One of her two-man crew died.
3 August[]
List of shipwrecks: 3 August 1903
Ship
Country
Description
France
The steamer caught fire on 30 July 46 miles (74 km) off Socotra Island in the Indian Ocean after an explosion of either her boiler or volatile material in her cargo in heavy seas. The crew fought the fire until the ship was wrecked on the Arabian Peninsula half way between Aden and Muscat at . The learned of the castaways and sent three small boats that picked up the crew on 15 September. They were then rescued at sea by (Russia) on 19 August.[153][154]
4 August[]
List of shipwrecks: 4 August 1903
Ship
Country
Description
Scow No. 23
United States
The scow sprung a leak and sank near in Narragansett Bay.[155]
5 August[]
List of shipwrecks: 5 August 1903
Ship
Country
Description
Bradley
United States
The barge foundered in a strong gale and heavy seas five miles (8.0 km) off Montauk Point, New York. The crew were rescued by her tow steamer (United States).[156]
Monarch
United States
The barge foundered in a strong gale and heavy seas five miles (8.0 km) off Montauk Point, New York. The crew were rescued by her tow steamer (United States).[157]
6 August[]
List of shipwrecks: 6 August 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer was sunk off Bristol, Pennsylvania when she collided with a barge towed by (United States). Her crew was rescued by Eva Belle Cain.[158]
7 August[]
List of shipwrecks: 7 August 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer sprang a leak and sank in Saginaw Bay. The crew made it to shore in the ship's boat.[159]
8 August[]
List of shipwrecks: 8 August 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The tug was destroyed by fire between Albany, New York and Troy, New York off Breaker Island.[160]
The U. S. launch was sunk in a collision with (United States), probably at Norfolk, Virginia.[162]
Henry
United States
The tow steamer sprung a leak on Lake Erie off Cleveland, Ohio and was beached.[163]
12 August[]
List of shipwrecks: 12 August 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer caught fire off Boston, Massachusetts and was beached where she burned to the waterline. She later floated off and sank, a total loss.[164]
13 August[]
List of shipwrecks: 13 August 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer was destroyed by fire below in the Connecticut River.[165]
The steamer sank at dock at the foot of Dubois Street, Detroit, Michigan. Later scheduled to be raised.[167]
18 August[]
List of shipwrecks: 18 August 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The laid up tow steamer sank at dock at the foot of Essex Street, Jersey City, New Jersey for unknown reasons. Raised and repaired.[168]
20 August[]
List of shipwrecks: 20 August 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer was destroyed by fire over night at dock in Ogdensburg, New York.[169]
Queen of the West
United States
The steamer sprung a leak in heavy seas on Lake Erie off Fairport, Ohio and sank, a total loss. Crew rescued by (United States), one crewman reportedly died while abandoning ship.[170][171]
The Peresvet-classbattleship ran aground in the Strait of Gibraltar. She was refloated and repaired and she returned to active service in late November.[172]
The screw steamer burned to the waterline and was scuttled at her moorings at Sackville, New South Wales, Australia. Her crew survived. She was refloated, repaired, and returned to service.
25 August[]
List of shipwrecks: 25 August 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer was destroyed by fire at Thousand Island Park in the St. Lawrence River due to an exploding lamp.[173]
26 August[]
List of shipwrecks: 26 August 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The schooner was cut in half and sunk in a collision with ten miles (16 km) east of Stratford Shoal. Five crewmen and a friend of the captain were killed.[174]
United States
The tug sank at dock in Tonawanda, New York over night for unknown reasons. Later raised with no damage found.[175]
Unknown date[]
List of shipwrecks: Unknown date 1903
Ship
Country
Description
Cyclone
United States
The steamer, being used as a launch tender, was lost at , Kamchatka, Siberia.[176]
United States
1903 Jamaica hurricane: The steamer sank in the Hurricane between Central America and New Orleans after leaving Bluefields, Nicaragua on 9 August. Lost with everyone on board, all 18 crewmen and 1 passenger.[177][178]
Vigilant
United States
Operating on the Ketchikan mail route, the steamtug was wrecked when her helmsman fell asleep at her wheel and she ran onto rocks at full speed on Fox Island in northeastern Dixon Entrance off , Territory of Alaska. One crewman was injured.[179]
September[]
2 September[]
List of shipwrecks: 2 September 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer burned at Walton's Coal Works on the Monongahela River, a total loss.[180]
The dredge sprung a leak and sank in the Allegheny River below 43rd Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Raised and repaired.[183]
5 September[]
List of shipwrecks: 5 September 1903
Ship
Country
Description
Jennie R. Dubois
United States
Carrying a cargo of coal, the 249-foot (76 m), 2,227-gross register ton five-mastedschooner sank in 90 feet (27 m) of water in the Atlantic Ocean off Rhode Island 5 nautical miles (9.3 km; 5.8 mi) southeast of Southeast Light on Block Island within five minutes of colliding with the cargosteamer (German Empire). Schonfels rescued her entire crew of 11 men.[184]
7 September[]
List of shipwrecks: 7 September 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer struck an obstruction at St. Charles, Missouri and sank. Total loss.[185]
United States
The schooner was wrecked in a storm south of Manistee, Michigan. Total loss. Wreck discovered 19 April 2020.[186]
9 September[]
List of shipwrecks: 9 September 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer struck an obstruction and sank between New Orleans and Shreveport, Louisiana. Raised on 11 September.[187]
United States
The pleasure steamer burned at Burlington, Vermont, a total loss.[188]
10 September[]
List of shipwrecks: 10 September 1903
Ship
Country
Description
Glenfeadon
United Kingdom
The schooner was driven ashore at The Mumbles, Glamorgan. She was refloated the next day.[24]
Ierne
United Kingdom
The ship foundered in the Bristol Channel with the loss of all hands. She was on a voyage from Newport, Monmouthshire to Dublin.[24]
The steamer sank in Delray Beach, Florida opposite the beach in what was later termed the Delray Wreck. Nine crewman died.[189]
12 September[]
List of shipwrecks: 12 September 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer sank in the St. Croix River opposite Stillwater, Minnesota. One crewman killed.[190]
14 September[]
List of shipwrecks: 14 September 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer burned at dock in Chattahoochee, Florida, a total loss.[191]
15 September[]
List of shipwrecks: 15 September 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer burned at anchor in Put-In-Bay, Ohio.[192]
United States
In the evening of 15 September 1903, while between Cape Poge and Cross Rip Shoal in hazy weather, schooner Howard B. Peck, on her way from Norfolk for Calais with cargo of coal was struck on her port bow by steamer Kiowa, on passage from Boston to Charleston. The schooner had her bowsprit and flying jibboom carried away together with all sails and rigging, and had a 20-foot (6.1 m)-wide gap opened in her hull. The schooner was towed by Kiowa into Vineyard Haven on the same day and after undergoing repairs worth about US$2,500, returned to service. Kiowa suffered little damage and was able to continue on her voyage.
16 September[]
List of shipwrecks: 16 September 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer burned and sank at a wharf, probably at Norfolk, Virginia.[193]
United States
The yacht sank in a storm at the , New Haven, Connecticut. Her hull was a total loss, hmachinery was scheduled to be salvaged.[194]
Gilberton
United States
1903 New Jersey hurricane: The 841-gross register tonschooner barge sank on off the coast of Delaware. All three people on board survived.[195]
United States
The Tug was destroyed by fire between Albany, New York and Athens, New York off Castleton-on-Hudson, New York.[196]
United States
The passenger steamer went ashore in a severe storm at Woods Point, on Long Island.[197]
Spartan
United States
1903 New Jersey hurricane: The tug sank in a hurricane in Delaware Bay below . Two crewmen killed.[198]
United States
The steamer was wrecked two miles (3.2 km) west of .[199]
17 September[]
List of shipwrecks: 17 September 1903
Ship
Country
Description
Narragansett
United States
The barge sank in a severe storm, probably off New York.[200]
19 September[]
List of shipwrecks: 19 September 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer sprang a leak and foundered in 120 feet (37 m) of water in a gale 4 miles (6.4 km) off Grand Marais, Minnesota. The crew were rescued by the United States Life Saving Service.[201][202][203]
21 September[]
List of shipwrecks: 21 September 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The tug capsized while towing a steamer near Little Island in Tonawanda Harbor.[204]
The barge sank off Staten Island, New York. She was carrying jewels belonging to the Guggenheim family.
27 September[]
List of shipwrecks: 27 September 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer burned at dock in Toledo, Ohio, possibly due to an exploding lamp, a total loss.[205]
29 September[]
List of shipwrecks: 29 September 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United Kingdom
The Elder Dempster 1,477 GRT cargo ship caught fire in the North Sea during a voyage from Lagos, Southern Nigeria Protectorate, to Hamburg, Germany, with a cargo of palm kernels and was abandoned 45 nautical miles (83 km) south by east of the (Belgium).[206]
30 September[]
List of shipwrecks: 30 September 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer struck rocks at "Chain of Rocks" in the Yukon River and sank in 5+1⁄2 feet (1.7 m) of water.[207]
Unknown date[]
List of shipwrecks: Unknown date 1903
Ship
Country
Description
Enterprise
United Kingdom
The ship lost her sails and was wrecked in hurricane-force winds off St Ives, Cornwall, England. The three crew were rescued by lifeboat.[208]
United States
The steamer was wrecked one mile (1.6 km) south of Holland, Michigan on 26 September, or near Grand Haven, Michigan on 29 November.[209][210]
The steamer foundered in heavy squall an hour out of Egg Harbor, Wisconsin in Green Bay. Her captain, two crewmen and eight passengers were killed. Eight survivors were rescued the next day by a passing ship.[214][215][216][217]
4 October[]
List of shipwrecks: 4 October 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The schooner was heavily damaged by a typhoon and abandoned off Formosa. The survivors sailed to , off Formosa, on 5 October in a lifeboat. Six of the survivors drowned when their lifeboat overturned after it was damaged in an attack by natives. The natives rescued one Japanese woman.[218]
7 October[]
List of shipwrecks: 7 October 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer was destroyed by fire at the Kelly Island Lime and Transport Co. dock in Kelleys Island, Ohio.[219][220]
United States
The steamer was destroyed by fire at Sour Spring Grove Dock in the Niagara River.[221]
United States
The freighter grounded on West Way causing a leak and was beached.[222]
The General Rivera-class gunboat sank after an internal explosion.[223][224]
9 October[]
List of shipwrecks: 9 October 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The motorboat capsized in a squall in San Francisco Bay. One passenger and one crewman killed.[225]
United States
The steamer sprang a leak at dock at Jones Landing, Georgia on the Flint River and sank.[226]
John N. Glidden
United States
The steamer was sunk in a collision with the barge Magna in the , a total loss. The wreck was removed over a period of months ending in May 1904.[227][228]
The fishing steamer was destroyed by fire at dock in Tiverton, Rhode Island.[239]
17 October[]
List of shipwrecks: 17 October 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United Kingdom
The coastal steamer collided with the steamer (flag unknown) and sank off Bull Point, North Devon, United Kingdom. All the crew survived.[240]
United States
The ferry was holed in the hull and sank at Gallipolis, Ohio. Raised and repaired.[241]
19 October[]
List of shipwrecks: 19 October 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer struck a rock in thick fog off Cape Blanco, Oregon and sank in 45 minutes. Eight passengers, two stowaways, and nine crewmen died, five of those from exposure on life rafts.[242]
23 October[]
List of shipwrecks: 23 October 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer struck a submerged obstruction in the Ohio River near the mouth of the Little Miami River and sank. Raised and repaired.[243]
The steamer sprang a leak and was beached in Saginaw Bay.[245][203]
Manhattan
United States
The steamer's steering gear failed causing her to ground on Grand Island, Michigan. She then burned to the waterline, a total loss. Her machinery was salvaged. The wreck was dynamited later.[246]
The fishing tug burned to the keel in drydock at Buffalo, New York. Repaired and returned to service.[247]
William F. Sauber
United States
The steamer foundered in heavy seas on Lake Superior off Whitefish Point. Her captain and one crewman killed. Survivors were rescued by Yale (United States).[248][249]
29 October[]
List of shipwrecks: 29 October 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer was destroyed by fire at St. Louis, Missouri, a total loss.[250]
During a voyage from Awa Province to Manazuru, the sailing vessel was wrecked during a storm 24 miles (39 km) from Izu Ōshima, Japan. The cruiserBugeaud (French Navy) rescued her seven survivors under difficult conditions and delivered them to Yokohama on 30 October.[251]
30 October[]
List of shipwrecks: 30 October 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer was destroyed by fire at St. Louis, Missouri and sank. One crewman missing. Total loss.[252]
31 October[]
List of shipwrecks: 31 October 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The schooner broke loose from her tow in a snowstorm and went ashore one mile (1.6 km) east of Grand Marais, Minnesota, a total loss. The crew were saved by the United States Life Saving Service.[203]
November[]
1 November[]
List of shipwrecks: 1 November 1903
Ship
Country
Description
Discovery
United States
The 209-gross register ton, 90-foot (27.4 m) steamer departed Yakutat, Territory of Alaska, with an estimated 30 people – about 14 passengers and a crew of about 16 – aboard and was never heard from again. In 1904, authorities received a credible report by an Alaskan Native chief that he had seen Discovery sink in a storm just outside Lituya Bay in Southeast Alaska on 3 November 1903 with no survivors.[253]
2 November[]
List of shipwrecks: 2 November 1903
Ship
Country
Description
Petroleum #1
United States
Carrying a cargo of three tons of miscellaneous merchandise and under tow by a motorlaunch from Katalla, Territory of Alaska, to Kayak Island off Southcentral Alaska, the 18-net register tonscow sank in a gale in the Gulf of Alaska off Kayak Island after her tow line parted.[254]
3 November[]
List of shipwrecks: 3 November 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer caught fire at sea after being stolen by 4 boys from her dock at Eureka, California. The tug Ranger caught up with the steamer, rescued the boys and beached the steamer in Humboldt Bay, a total loss.[255]
4 November[]
List of shipwrecks: 4 November 1903
Ship
Country
Description
Walter L. Frost
United States
The steamer ran aground in fog on south end of South Manitou Island, in Lake Michigan. She was scuttled to prevent further damage, refloated on the 6th but rescuttled for unknown reasons. She broke in two on 10 November and was abandoned on 14 November. Completely went to pieces over the winter.[256][257]
7 November[]
List of shipwrecks: 7 November 1903
Ship
Country
Description
Connecticut
United States
The 99-gross register tonschooner sank off Chatham, Massachusetts. Both people on board survived.[258]
9 November[]
List of shipwrecks: 9 November 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer snagged a mooring line causing her to drift in to the on the Snake River and was wrecked.[259]
11 November[]
List of shipwrecks: 11 November 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer broke a mooring line at Bihlers Point Landing, California allowing her to be damaged on a rock. She drifted ashore, a total loss.[260]
12 November[]
List of shipwrecks: 12 November 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer was sunk by ice 7+1⁄2 miles (12.1 km) north east of .[261]
13 November[]
List of shipwrecks: 13 November 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The sloop was sunk in a collision with (United States), apparently in Virginia. One man drowned.[262]
14 November[]
List of shipwrecks: 14 November 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The motor vessel struck a submerged object and sank in Chesapeake Bay. Her crew was saved.[263]
15 November[]
List of shipwrecks: 15 November 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The pleasure steamer was destroyed by fire at dock in Ogdensburg, New York. Fire reported as caused by embers from a passing locomotive.[264]
17 November[]
List of shipwrecks: 17 November 1903
Ship
Country
Description
Minnesota
United States
The steamer burned in the St. Clair River and sank 1,500–2,000 feet (460–610 m) off the pier of Grande Pointe, Michigan. Wreck removal was underway at end of year.[265][266]
United States
The steamer struck a hidden obstruction and sank in the Allegheny River, probably near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.[267]
18 November[]
List of shipwrecks: 18 November 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer was destroyed by fire at dock at on the Columbia River.[268]
19 November[]
List of shipwrecks: 19 November 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer sank when ice gouged the caulking out of her seams between Warsaw, Illinois and Burlington, Iowa.[269]
20 November[]
List of shipwrecks: 20 November 1903
Ship
Country
Description
Anna Catherine
United States
The 8-gross register ton, 30-foot (9.1 m) sloop was wrecked in Tongass Narrows in Southeast Alaska 0.5 nautical miles (0.9 km; 0.6 mi) south of Hollis, Territory of Alaska, during a storm.[181]
United States
The steamer was sunk in a collision with Sacramento (United States) near the Detroit River Light in Lake Erie.[270]
21 November[]
List of shipwrecks: 21 November 1903
Ship
Country
Description
Norway
The bark was sunk in a collision with 30 miles (48 km) north of the Dry Tortugas, Florida. The crew transferred to Denver. Two crewmen who were ill with a fever before the collision died shortly after coming aboard Denver.[271][272]
22 November[]
List of shipwrecks: 22 November 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer burned to the waterline at dock in Saugerties, New York, a total loss. Some fittings salvaged. Refloated and scuttled in a cove north of the Saugerties Lighthouse. One crewman was killed trying to retrieve clothing after being ordered to abandon ship.[273][274]
27 November[]
List of shipwrecks: 27 November 1903
Ship
Country
Description
Netherlands
The steamship passed Pointe Saint-Mathieu, Finistère, France, bound for Rotterdam, the Netherlands, then disappeared without trace.[275]
United States
The steamer was sunk in a collision with USS Yankton (United States Navy) at Norfolk, Virginia.[276]
28 November[]
List of shipwrecks: 28 November 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer struck a snag in the Ohio River near Vanceburg, Kentucky and sank. Raised and repaired.[277]
The oil tanker struck a reef east of Point Nepean, Victoria, Australia, at the entrance to Port Phillip Bay. Two days later its cargo of 1,300 tonnes of crude oil was released into the ocean, causing one of the first major maritime oil spills.[278]
29 November[]
List of shipwrecks: 29 November 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer was destroyed by fire in the Ohio River at Neil's Landing, Pennsylvania.[279]
The tow steamer was sunk in a collision with a scow in the North River.[286]
5 December[]
List of shipwrecks: 4 December 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer caught fire four miles (6.4 km) off Manitowoc, Wisconsin. She was towed by three steamers to the Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal where the fire was extinguished, but she sank in 18 feet (5.5 m) of water. She was raised, rebuilt and returned to service as .[287][288]
The passenger-cargo ship was wrecked on the sands near Happisburgh on the coast of Norfolk, England.[289]
7 December[]
List of shipwrecks: 7 December 1903
Ship
Country
Description
Ann & Betsey
United Kingdom
The smack got into difficulties off Cardigan. Her crew were rescued by Lizzie & Charles Leigh Clare ( Royal National Lifeboat Institution). They later returned to the smack and took her in to Cardigan.[50]
The steamer struck rocks in a snow storm and sank in the Mississippi River two miles (3.2 km) above Thebes, Illinois. Total loss.[291]
United States
The motor vessel burned at Atlantic Wharf, Baltimore, Maryland.[292]
12 December[]
List of shipwrecks: 12 December 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The tow steamer struck a submerged obstruction in the Kentucky River near Sand Ripple and sank, a total loss.[293]
15 December[]
List of shipwrecks: 15 December 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer struck a hidden obstruction on the Mississippi River six miles (9.7 km) above Natchez, Mississippi and sank. Six crewmen killed.[294]
16 December[]
List of shipwrecks: 16 December 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer was wrecked in a gale and snowstorm at off Newfoundland, a total loss.[295]
Columbia
United States
The steam lighter was sunk in a collision with the ferry in the North River.[296]
18 December[]
List of shipwrecks: 18 December 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The schooner was sunk in a collision with (United States) off Humboldt Bay, California. Everyone on board was rescued by boats from Del Norte, but one crewman from Del Norte died in the rescue.[297]
20 December[]
List of shipwrecks: 20 December 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The laid up steamer sank at dock when her bitts pulled out causing leaks at Newport, Kentucky. Raised and repaired.[298]
The sailing ship caught fire on 22 December and was abandoned on 24 or 25 December in Fox Bay, Falkland Islands, a total loss. The crew went to shore in her boats.[303][304][305]
none
The unfinished and unregistered steamer was totally destroyed by arson at dock at Boyd's Shipyard, Palatka, Florida.[306]
While anchored off Hull, Massachusetts, about two nautical miles (3.7 km; 2.3 mi) south of Boston Light in a heavy snowstorm, the 2,953-gross register toncargo ship was struck on her port side by the outgoing steamer (United States) at 11:20 a.m. The crew was saved by the nearby towboat Cormorant (United States), and Kiowa sank a few hours later 1 nautical mile (1.9 km; 1.2 mi) southeast of Boston Light at 42°19′19″N070°51′52″W / 42.32194°N 70.86444°W / 42.32194; -70.86444 (Kiowa). After all attempts to raise the vessel failed, her wreck finally was blown up by 19 September 1904.[307][308][309]
27 December[]
List of shipwrecks: 27 December 1903
Ship
Country
Description
Alert
United States
The steamer burned at Chase's Wharf, Baltimore, Maryland.[310]
United States
The steamer was sunk by ice at dock at the foot of Vine Street, Cincinnati, Ohio.[311]
28 December[]
List of shipwrecks: 28 December 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer struck a snag near on the Willamette River and sank.[312]
30 December[]
List of shipwrecks: 30 December 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United States
The steamer was sunk in six feet (1.8 m) of water by ice at St. Charles, Missouri. Scheduled to be raised in 1904.[313]
United States
The steamer was destroyed by fire over night at dock at Helena, Arkansas. Total loss.[314]
The gunboat was reported to have gone aground on the in the Sulu Sea off Borneo.[317][318] She was reported on 15 January 1904 to have been refloated with minimal damage.[319]
Unknown date[]
List of shipwrecks: Unknown date 1903
Ship
Country
Description
United Kingdom
The clipper ship left , for San Francisco on 28 May and was never seen again.[320]
Delphine
United States
The launch was lost at Karluk, Territory of Alaska.[253]
Germany
The full-rigged ship sprang a leak and was beached in the Solomon Islands, where she was wrecked. Her crew survived.[321]
The sailing ship went missing after leaving Surabaya, Netherlands East Indies for Philadelphia on March 7.[324]
Jane A. Falkenberg
United States
Abandoned at sea during a storm in 1899 and again during a later voyage while under tow in 1900, and recovered both times after suffering serious damage, the wrecked 310.63-gross register ton, 131-foot (39.9 m) barkentine was filled with stones and sand and scuttled in 6 feet (1.8 m) of water to form a breakwater at St. Michael, Territory of Alaska, sometime prior to 26 October.[136]
Jennie
Unknown
The cannerysteamer sank after running aground on Denman Island in the Gulf Islands in British Columbia.[136]
The barque disappeared without trace after departing Adelaide, South Australia, in September 1903.
Nor'West
United States
While laid up for the winter, the 8-gross register ton, 35.4-foot (10.8 m) schooner dragged her anchor during either the winter of 1901–1902 or the winter of 1902–1903 and was blown so far inland at the head of "Wrangell Bay" in the Territory of Alaska – probably (57°01′N156°31′W / 57.017°N 156.517°W / 57.017; -156.517 (Wrangell Bay)) on Kodiak Island but possibly the harbor at Wrangell in Southeast Alaska – that she could not be relaunched. She was declared a total loss and was stripped and abandoned.[325]
The Presbyterian missionary riverboat, built by William R. Trigg Co., Richmond, Virginia in 1901 and assembled in the Congo, capsized in the Congo River during a supply run between Leopoldville and Luebo Station with loss of twenty-four people. The vessel was replaced by Samuel N. Lapsley II in 1906.[326][327]
Thomas
United States
The 167-gross register tonbarge sank off Velasco, Texas. Both people on board survived.[328]
^Chesneau, 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. 396
^Strobridge, Truman R. and Dennis L. Noble (1999). Alaska and the U.S. Revenue Cutter Service 1867–1915. Naval Institute Press, Annapolis, Maryland. ISBN978-1-55750-845-4., p. 126.
^"American Marine Engineer July, 1910". National Marine Engineers Beneficial Association of the United States. Retrieved 30 December 2020 – via Haithi Trust.