October Shipwrecks and Vessel Losses
The month of October saw a diverse range of maritime losses, spanning from planned naval target exercises to tragic accidents caused by severe weather and mechanical failure. These events occurred across the globe, from the depths of the Pacific and Bering Seas to the enclosed waters of the Caspian Sea and the coasts of Europe.
Naval Target Exercises in the Pacific
Several decommissioned United States Navy vessels were intentionally sunk during target practice to test weaponry and naval tactics. On October 6, the USS Okinawa, an Iwo Jima-class amphibious assault ship, was sunk off the coast of Southern California. The vessel absorbed multiple hits from bombs, Maverick missiles, and Harpoon missiles before being finally disabled by a Mark 48 torpedo launched by the submarine USS Portsmouth.
Shortly after, on October 9, the USS Towers, a Charles F. Adams-class guided-missile destroyer, met a similar fate. It was sunk as a target in the Pacific Ocean off the California coast by the guided-missile frigate USS Sides.
Maritime Accidents and Weather-Related Losses
Severe weather conditions claimed several civilian and commercial vessels throughout the month. On October 10, the German tug Stadt Arnis, measuring 15.68 meters, sank in rough weather. Both crew members were successfully rescued by the rescue cruiser Bremen, and the ship was later raised on October 31, 2002.
In Alaska, the 48-foot fishing vessel Shenandoah disappeared on October 11 while towing the 65-foot vessel Mary J from Homer to Seward. After an automated distress signal was sent from the vicinity of Chugach Bay, the Shenandoah was presumed lost in a storm, resulting in the loss of two people. The Mary J eventually drifted ashore at Windy Bay, and wreckage of the Shenandoah was later recovered around Chugach Bay.
Tragedies in the Bering and Caspian Seas
On October 20, the 171-foot cod-fishing catcher processor Galaxy suffered a series of explosions and a fire in the Bering Sea, approximately 30 nautical miles southwest of Saint Paul Island. The vessel sank, resulting in two deaths. While the U.S. Coast Guard and the vessels Blue Pacific, Clipper Express, and Glacier Bay rescued 24 survivors, a further tragedy occurred when a rogue wave washed a crewman from the Clipper Express overboard.
One of the most devastating losses occurred on October 23 in the Caspian Sea, where the Azerbaijani cargo ship Mercury II sank. Of the 51 people on board, 42 perished in the disaster.
Other Notable Vessel Losses
Other incidents included the abandonment of the yacht Paper Chase off Eastbourne, East Sussex, on October 20, where the crew was rescued by the Eastbourne Lifeboat. On October 21, the 44-foot longline halibut-fishing vessel Rockett II was wrecked on rocks off Cape Cheerful on Unalaska Island; its three-person crew was rescued by the crab-fishing vessel Stormy Sea.
Additionally, on an unknown date in October, the Elisabeth Smit, a barquentine-rigged charter ship and former minesweeper, was severely damaged by a storm while moored at Muiden, Netherlands. The vessel was abandoned and eventually broken up in situ in December 2020.
Key Facts
- USS Okinawa and USS Towers were intentionally sunk as naval targets by the U.S. Navy.
- The Mercury II disaster in the Caspian Sea resulted in the highest loss of life, with 42 fatalities.
- The Galaxy sinking in the Bering Sea involved explosions and a subsequent loss of a rescuer to a rogue wave.
- The Elisabeth Smit was a former minesweeper that remained a wreck until 2020.
- The Stadt Arnis was one of the few vessels successfully raised after sinking.
Summary of October Vessel Losses
| Date | Vessel Name | State/Nationality | Cause/Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 October | USS Okinawa | USA | Naval Target Practice |
| 9 October | USS Towers | USA | Naval Target Practice |
| 10 October | Stadt Arnis | Germany | Rough Weather |
| 11 October | Shenandoah | USA | Storm/Foundering |
| 20 October | Galaxy | USA | Fire and Explosions |
| 20 October | Paper Chase | UK | Abandoned |
| 21 October | Rockett II | USA | Wrecked on Rocks |
| 23 October | Mercury II | Azerbaijan | Sunk in Caspian Sea |
| Unknown | Elisabeth Smit | Netherlands | Storm Damage |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which vessels were sunk intentionally?
The USS Okinawa and the USS Towers were decommissioned U.S. Navy ships sunk as targets to test missiles and torpedoes.
What happened to the crew of the Stadt Arnis?
Both crew members were rescued by the German rescue cruiser Bremen after the tug sank in rough weather.
How many people died on the Mercury II?
Out of 51 people on board the cargo ship, 42 lost their lives when it sank in the Caspian Sea.
What caused the sinking of the Galaxy?
The Galaxy, a cod-fishing catcher processor, sank in the Bering Sea after catching fire and suffering several explosions.
What was the fate of the Elisabeth Smit?
After being badly damaged by a storm at her mooring in Muiden, the ship was abandoned and eventually broken up in December 2020.