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.
“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.”
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.
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?
“British Columbia decided to extend the 14-day self-isolation period upon entry, and extend that through the end of August, and that made having a season for us untenable,” Gudgel said.
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