laststandonzombieisland

Here we see a stern quarter view of 3-masted lumber schooner Charles A. Falk moored at a lumber mill at Grays Harbor, Washington, circa 1900.

Photo by Charles R. Pratsch Washington State University Digital Archives.

Constructed in 1889 by the shipbuilding concern of Mr. Hans Bendixsen in Fairhaven, California for one N. H. Falk of Eureka, the fine ship of 298 tons had an overall length of 142-feet and was a common sight along the Pacific Northwest for 20 years as numerous images are in circulation of her plying her trade.

She was rather unlucky, however.

Falk was caught anchored to the beach in a rising southeast gale at Redondo Beach on Mayday 1904, swamping her and leaving her at the mercy of the sea.

Not a good look

She was saved and, awash but still afloat, towed seaward by the tug Warrior from San Pedro, then later dewatered.

In 1906, she was again in trouble of a financial sort, which saw her crew discharged and her layup at a local yard for a year.

Finally, Charles E. Falk beached on March 31, 1909– 110 years ago today–, at high tide two miles south of Copalis Rocks on the beach near Moclips, Washington and could not be saved though reportedly her crew of eight were able to reach shore safely, fortunately.

Her hulk apparently remained above the waterline for years and proved a playground for local youth. She is listed as a “Potentially Historic Shipwreck” by NOAA, though her final location is not positively known.