Dec 17, 2019 YESTERDAYS TRAILS

“SS818: Wreck of Union Steamship Co’s. SS CATALA at Ocean Shores, WA – July 1967.”

“On January 1, 1965, a severe storm drove the ship from her moorings hard aground on shore at Damon Point, WA with a starboard list.”

Sep 14, 2007 S.S. Catala – Ocean Shores, WA – Shipwrecks on Waymarking.com

“Cause of Shipwreck: Storm while it was docked”

SS Catala

Source: Wikipedia

Tonnage 1476 gross; 851 registered tons

Length 229 ft (70 m)

Beam 37.1 ft (11.3 m)

Questions:

In 2023, If you go to the area where the ship was moored, it is hard to imagine a ship of this size in that location.

Maybe at one time, there was much more in the way of a pier that was appropriate for docking a ship of that size. Do any historical photos of this pier exist? Did other ships of this size make use of the pier? Did large yachts make use of the pier?

Catala breaks loose? Did the mooring lines fail? Did the pier fail? Was the pier later repaired if it failed?

Was any investigation conducted? What could have been done to prevent this?

It is hard to find much in writing or old photos to help answer these questions.

December 2, 2019 Washington Our Home

There is a photo of an old postcard here, showing the pier where SS Catala was moored.

“For three wonderful years, Catala helped visitors to Washington’s marvelous coastline enjoy their stay in a fun and unique fashion. There’s no telling how many families hold cherished memories of playing on the beach, frolicking in the surf and resting their heads back in their boat-hotel.”

“a hotel for charter fishermen complete with poker games and prostitutes.” Materials at the Ocean Shores Interpretive Center claim that “guests had their choice of staying in the overnight accommodations, enjoying dining and the activities of several lounges, and fishing for salmon, all aboard the beautiful refurbished ship.”

Fishing for salmon on the ship?

“It was a cold, wet and blustery New Years Day in 1965 when the winter storm hit and wreaked havoc along Washington’s coastline. Entire beaches changed their shape or disappeared completely as the pounding waves ate away at the shore. New beaches were formed by that sand being deposited elsewhere. And in the tumult of the storm, Catala’s moorings broke loose, setting her adrift in the undulating surf.”

More Questions:

“There’s no telling how many families hold cherished memories of playing on the beach, frolicking in the surf and resting their heads back in their boat-hotel.”

Back at a boat hotel for charter fishermen complete with poker games and prostitutes?

Sounds like a really nice family memory.

Was the ship tied up on the side of Damon Point nearest the ocean, or the side nearest Aberdeen? Photos make it look like it came ashore on the side of Damon Point closest to the Ocean. The marina is on the side closest to Aberdeen. Hard to tell.

Washington Trails Association:

For beach walking: “It’s about four miles to circumnavigate the point.”

Did SS Catala make a trip around the point before landing on the beach?

Wikipedia:

“In Seattle’s Century 21 Exposition she was a floating “boatel” moored on the Seattle waterfront. Later in 1962 she was towed to California and used as a floating restaurant. In 1963 she was brought back north to Ocean Shores, Washington and used as a “boatel” again until she was driven aground by a storm on New Year’s Day 1965.[8]”

Towed to California? Did SS Catala still have working engines at the time she landed on the beach at Damon Point?

The storm that took her to the beach was on New Year’s Day 1965. This is off season in Ocean Shores. No families frolicking at the beach. Probably not many charter boat fisherman present during winter storms.

Was anyone staying or working on SS Catala when she broke loose and landed on the beach? Were people told to leave the ship before it broke loose and began to move towards the beach?

How was the ship heated during winter months?

6:20

Discussion & photos of time in Ocean Shores:

More info:

Sep 4, 2006 Cruising Talk General Cruising Talk Cruise Ships of the Past 

“When the World’s Fair came to Seattle, the vessel was refurbished as a floating hotel and moved to the Seattle waterfront in 1962. The engines were removed to make room for a theater.”

“When the World’s Fair was over, the vessel was towed California and used as a floating restaurant. In 1963 the floating hull was brought north again to Damon Point State Park at Ocean Shores, moored at a causeway, and used as a floating “boatel” for charter fishermen. The vessel offered 52 staterooms, a restaurant and lounge. Electricity and telephone service was extended to the ship and a bridge and roadway provided easy access to a parking lot near her bow.”

Possibly of interest:

Any plan to improve public access at Damon Point?

Federal Cash For The Coast – 98569

Photo-

Watching the waves at Damon Point.

Westport Jetty in the distance.

Out to Damon Point on Wednesday afternoon.

Looking from Damon Point over towards Westport.

The ship visible above may be DSI ALTAIR.

Several sites on the web offer info on ship locations.

Click image once or twice to show detail.