List of shipwrecks in 1903

The list of shipwrecks in 1903 includes ships sunk, foundered, grounded, or otherwise lost during 1903.

table of contents
← 1902 1903 1904 →
Jan Feb Mar Apr
May Jun Jul Aug
Sep Oct Nov Dec
Unknown date
References

January

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2 January

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List of shipwrecks: 2 January 1903
Ship State Description
Prince Arthur  Norway 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

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List of shipwrecks: 3 January 1903
Ship State 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

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 7 January 1903
Ship State Description
Jas. A. Carney  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

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List of shipwrecks: 8 January 1903
Ship State Description
Lucille Nowland  United States The steamer struck a hidden obstruction in the Arkansas River between Memphis, Tennessee and Pine Bluff, Arkansas and sank.[6]

9 January

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 9 January 1903
Ship State Description
Alligator  United States The steamer sank at dock at Palatka, Florida due to a broken pipe. Raised, repaired and returned to service.[7][8]
Crosby  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.[5]
Palmas  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.[10]

13 January

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 13 January 1903
Ship State Description
Thomas Morgan  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.[11]

16 January

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List of shipwrecks: 16 January 1903
Ship State Description
Grit  United States The tow steamer sank at dock in Tottenville, New York due to a damaged plank.[12]

17 January

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 17 January 1903
Ship State Description
Earl  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.[5]

21 January

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 21 January 1903
Ship State Description
USS Leyden  United States Navy While on a return passage from Puerto Rico in heavy fog, the tug was wrecked on rocks just off Southeast Point on Block Island off the coast of Rhode Island, 0.75 nautical miles (1.39 km; 0.86 mi) west of Block Island Southeast Light. Her wreck settled in 15 feet (4.6 m) of water at 41°08.85′N 071°33.86′W / 41.14750°N 71.56433°W / 41.14750; -71.56433 (USS Leyden).[13]
Nanticoke  United States The steamer was sunk by ice in Newark Bay. Later raised and drydocked.[14]
Seaboard  United States The steamer ran aground in high winds, heavy seas, and dense fog on Dutch Island in Narragansett Bay. Later refloated.[15]

22 January

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List of shipwrecks: 22 January 1903
Ship State Description
Fawn  United States The laid up steamer sank at St. Louis, Missouri when cold weather opened up her seams. She was a total loss.[16]

23 January

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 23 January 1903
Ship State Description
John T. Pratt  United States The tow steamer sank at dock at the foot of Van Brunt Street, Brooklyn when her seams opened up. Later raised and repaired.[15]

25 January

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List of shipwrecks: 25 January 1903
Ship State Description
Otto  Sweden The steamer was wrecked off Terschelling.[17]

29 January

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List of shipwrecks: 29 January 1903
Ship State Description
Bay Ridge  United States The tow steamer sank at dock in thick fog at The Battery when she was struck by New York Central No. 6 ( United States).[15]

30 January

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 30 January 1903
Ship State Description
Crescent City  United States The steamer was wrecked on Fish Rocks near Point Arena, California, a total loss.[18]
Gulf Stream  United States The steamer was wrecked on the bar at Hereford, New Jersey in heavy seas and dense fog. Her cargo was salvaged.[15]

February

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1 February

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List of shipwrecks: 1 February 1903
Ship State Description
James Stevens No. 12 Royal National Lifeboat Institution The Mumbles lifeboat capsized at the mouth of the River Afan with the loss of six of her fourteen crew.[19]
Maskelyne  Belgium The steamship foundered at 41°35′N 34°40′W / 41.583°N 34.667°W / 41.583; -34.667.[20]

2 February

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 2 February 1903
Ship State Description
Alert  Norway 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 Cepheus ( United Kingdom).[21]

4 February

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List of shipwrecks: 4 February 1903
Ship State Description
Berwick 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 Station lifeboat Ann Newbon ( Royal National Lifeboat Institution).[22]
Espingole  French Navy The Durandal-class destroyer 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, District 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 Fishery Point (57°47′30″N 134°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.[23]
New York Central No. 22  United States The tow steamer ran aground in thick fog at Sunken Meadows, New York in the East River. Refloated on 7 February.[15]

5 February

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List of shipwrecks: 5 February 1903
Ship State Description
Red Cloud  United States The steamer was sunk by ice in the Pend d'Oreille River below Newport, Oregon.[15]

6 February

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List of shipwrecks: 6 February 1903
Ship State Description
Gladys  United States The steamer listed on a rising tide and sank at Pier 83 North, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Raised the next day.[15]

7 February

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List of shipwrecks: 7 February 1903
Ship State Description
Isabel  United States The steamer was destroyed by fire at Stokes Wharf, Rancocas Creek, Pennsylvania.[15]

8 February

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List of shipwrecks: 8 February 1903
Ship State Description
Brunswick  United States The steamer went aground at Fort Bragg, California. Later refloated and repaired.[18]
Southern Cross  Canada The schooner capsized at Port Greville, Nova Scotia. She was later salvaged, repaired and returned to service.[24]
Wm. S. McGowan  United States The lighter sank at dock over night due to leaky seams at Boston, Massachusetts. Raised and repaired.[15]

11 February

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 11 February 1903
Ship State Description
Bay City  United States The steamer was lost to fire at West Point, Washington, between Seattle and Ballard.[25][26]

16 February

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List of shipwrecks: 16 February 1903
Ship State Description
Decantur  United States The schooner was sunk in a severe squall at Newport News, Virginia. Later raised.[27]
Olive  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 Pettit ( United States). Eight others left in a lifeboat and boarded a barge, from which they were rescued by Gazelle ( United States).[11][28][27]
Roger Quarles  United States The schooner was sunk in a severe squall at Newport News, Virginia. Later raised.[27]

17 February

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List of shipwrecks: 17 February 1903
Ship State Description
Ida  Canada The barque was lost in a snowstorm off Blue Rocks, Nova Scotia.[29]

18 February

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List of shipwrecks: 18 February 1903
Ship State Description
Charlotte  United States The laid up steamer was destroyed by fire at Charlotte, New York, on the Genesee River.[30]

20 February

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List of shipwrecks: 20 February 1903
Ship State Description
City of Clifton  United States The steamer was destroyed by fire in the Tennessee River at Clifton, Tennessee.[31][32][33]

21 February

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List of shipwrecks: 21 February 1903
Ship State Description
William Schaubel Sr.  United States The tow steamer sank at dock at Erie Basin, Brooklyn, New York due to a sheared rivet. Later raised.[15]

24 February

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List of shipwrecks: 24 February 1903
Ship State Description
Commodore  United States The steamer foundered at Miami, Missouri.[34]

26 February

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List of shipwrecks: 26 February 1903
Ship State Description
Ottercaps  United Kingdom The steamship was wrecked off Feunteun Aod, Finistère, France.[35]

27 February

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List of shipwrecks: 27 February 1903
Ship State Description
Daisy  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.[36]
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).[37]

28 February

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 28 February 1903
Ship State Description
Etruria  United Kingdom The ocean liner ran aground on sand and mud in the entrance to Gedney Channel while leaving New York City. She was refloated late the same day, found to be undamaged, and proceeded with her voyage.
Excel  United States The steamer struck a snag, capsized and sank at Lock No. 5 in the Little Kanawha River. Raised and repaired.[38]

Unknown date

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: Unknown date 1903
Ship State 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 coal depot ship.
L. H. Buhrman  United States The steamer was destroyed by fire either in the Ohio River near Derby, Indiana on 25 February, or at Stevenson, Kentucky on the Cumberland River in March.[39][40][41]
Luna  United Kingdom 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.[22]

March

[edit]

1 March

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List of shipwrecks: 1 March 1903
Ship State Description
Valley Queen  United States The steamer burned on the Mississippi River near Bruinsburg Landing, a total loss.[5][42]

2 March

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 2 March 1903
Ship State Description
Bassinger  United States The steamer burned at dock in Punta Gorda, Florida, a total loss.[43]
Maggie  United States The steamer struck a snag and sank on the Yazoo River near Simmons Landing, Mississippi, a total loss. One crewman killed.[44]
Trojan  United States The steamer burned to the waterline at Jacksonville, Florida.[45]

4 March

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 4 March 1903
Ship State Description
Charlie Curlin  United States The steamer struck a submerged obstruction in the Green River between Calhoun, Kentucky and Livermore, Kentucky and sank. Raised and repaired.[46]
Commodore  United States The laid up steamer was sunk by an ice flow at St. Louis, Missouri. Scheduled to be raised after June.[47]

7 March

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 7 March 1903
Ship State Description
Neptune  United States The ferry was wrecked when backed into by Margaret ( United States) in the Ohio River between Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Allegheny, Pennsylvania.[38]

9 March

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 9 March 1903
Ship State Description
Alexandra flag unknown
Alexandra

Cyclone Leonta: The cargo ship was driven ashore at Townsville, Queensland, Australia.

Delta  United States The steamer struck a snag in the Mississippi River near Mayersville, Mississippi and sank. Raised and repaired.[47]

10 March

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List of shipwrecks: 10 March 1903
Ship State Description
Kongo Maru  Japan The steamer foundered off Misaki, Japan.[48]

11 March

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List of shipwrecks: 11 March 1903
Ship State Description
W. H. Flint  United States The steamer struck a submerged buoy in the Ohio River near Louisville, Kentucky and sank. Raised and repaired.[47]

12 March

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List of shipwrecks: 12 March 1903
Ship State Description
Albion  United Kingdom The schooner was wrecked in West Bay, Dorset.[49]

13 March

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List of shipwrecks: 13 March 1903
Ship State Description
Unknown car float  United States The car float, under tow of Lowell M. Palmer ( United States), sank in a collision in fog with the passenger steamer New Hampshire off Tenth St. in the East River. 14 rail cars on board rolled off as she sank.[50]

15 March

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List of shipwrecks: 15 March 1903
Ship State Description
Harry No. 2  United States The steamer burned at Charleroi, Pennsylvania. Later rebuilt.[38]

19 March

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List of shipwrecks: 19 March 1903
Ship State Description
Metamora  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.[7][8]
Varuna  United States The steamer burned and sank in the Sacramento River near Meriden Landing, California when an oil lamp fell off a bulkhead, a total loss.[18]

20 March

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 20 March 1903
Ship State Description
Pilot  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.[51]

23 March

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List of shipwrecks: 23 March 1903
Ship State Description
Dreadnought  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.[15]

24 March

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 24 March 1903
Ship State Description
Mary E. Morse  United States The schooner was sunk in a collision with Parthian ( United States) in fog off Boston, Massachusetts. The crew were rescued by Parthian.[52]

27 March

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 27 March 1903
Ship State Description
William A. Kane  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.[15]

31 March

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 31 March 1903
Ship State Description
Shamrock  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.[53]

Unknown date

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: Unknown date March 1903
Ship State Description
Hougomont Flag unknown The barque ran aground at Allonby, Cumbria, England. She was refloated, repaired, and returned to service.
L. H. Buhrman  United States The steamer was destroyed by fire either in the Ohio River near Derby, Indiana on 25 February, or at Stevenson, Kentucky on the Cumberland River in March.[39][54][41]

April

[edit]

3 April

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List of shipwrecks: 3 April 1903
Ship State Description
Albion River  United States The steamer was wrecked in thick fog on Bodega Head, California.[55]
J. C. L.  United States The steamer burned due to an over turned lamp at Burlington, Vermont, a total loss.[56]
John C. Fitzpatrick  United States The 242-foot (73.8 m), 1,277-gross register ton schooner 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.[57]
Unknown barge  United States The dumper barge, under tow of Franklin N. Brown ( United States), sank while being towed to sea from New York City off the Whistling Buoy. Her only crewman died.[50]

9 April

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 9 April 1903
Ship State Description
Victoria  United Kingdom Shortly after the steamer Albion River was wrecked on 3 April, another Swayne & Hoyt owned steamer ran ashore on Little Bamboo Island in the Straits of Pechili and became a total loss.[58][59]

13 April

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 13 April 1903
Ship State Description
Margaret Ward  United States The schooner was sunk in a collision with El Rio in dense fog, either at the Entrance to Galveston Harbor, or 28 miles (45 km) south east of Galveston in 8+12 fathoms (51 ft; 15.5 m) of water, which ever place, it was shallow enough for the wreck to be marked with a buoy.[60][61][62]

21 April

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 21 April 1903
Ship State Description
Freia  Norway The steamer was wrecked near Scharhörn on her passage from Kristiana to Harlingen, Friesland, Netherlands.[63]

28 April

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List of shipwrecks: 28 April 1903
Ship State Description
Maud Kilgore  United States The steamer foundered at the mouth of the La Anguille River. Raised and repaired.[64]

29 April

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 29 April 1903
Ship State Description
Belle P. Cross  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.[47][65]

30 April

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 30 April 1903
Ship State Description
Clarence  United States The steamer was destroyed by fire at dock in Charleston, South Carolina.[11]

May

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1 May

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List of shipwrecks: 1 May 1903
Ship State Description
Fedelia  United States The barge sprung a leak and sank near Hen and Chickens Light.[11]
Unknown canal boat  United States A canal boat, under tow, was sunk in a collision with another towed canal boat off Sixth Street, Jersey City, New Jersey.[50]

5 May

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 5 May 1903
Ship State Description
Saginaw  United States The steamer was sunk in a collision with Hamilton ( 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.[51][66]

6 May

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 6 May 1903
Ship State Description
Gloriana  United States The fishing schooner was wrecked off Whale Cove near White Point Ledges. Her captain and 14 crew died, 3 made it to shore.[67][68]

9 May

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 9 May 1903
Ship State Description
Olympia  Canada The schooner was wrecked off Sable Island, Nova Scotia.[69]

12 May

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 12 May 1903
Ship State Description
Quaker City  United States The 46-gross register ton screw steamer sank in the Delaware River after colliding with the steam screw tug Harry M. Wall ( 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.[70][15]

18 May

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 18 May 1903
Ship State Description
Edward Gillen  United States The tug was sunk in a collision in fog with Maunaloa ( United States) at the entrance to Duluth, Minnesota-Superior, Wisconsin Harbor. One crewman killed. Raised and repaired.[71][72]

20 May

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 20 May 1903
Ship State Description
Pfohl  United States The steamer was destroyed by fire 20 miles (32 km) north west of Goderich, Ontario.[73][74]
Unknown schooner  United States The schooner sank in a collision with a barge under the tow of steamer Cuba ( United States) off Cape Cod. The crew transferred by small boat to the barge.[75]

25 May

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 25 May 1903
Ship State Description
Falcon  United States The steamer burned at dock in Satilla River.[11]
M. Dougherty  United States The steamer sprung a leak and sank at Brown's Station, Pennsylvania. Raised, repaired and returned to service.[38]

26 May

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 26 May 1903
Ship State Description
Huddersfield  United Kingdom On leaving Antwerp, the passenger-cargo ship was in collision in the River Scheldt with the steamer Uto ( Norway). All 17 members of her crew were saved but all 22 of her passengers – emigrants from Galicia on their way to Canada – drowned.[76]
Oakland  Australia 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 Bellinger (flag unknown) rescued her seven survivors.

28 May

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 28 May 1903
Ship State Description
Nellie Walton  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.[77][78]

29 May

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 29 May 1903
Ship State Description
Nord  France The steamer ran aground and was wrecked on Burhou Island off Alderney Channel Islands on a voyage from Boulogne to Bayonne with general cargo.[79]

30 May

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 30 May 1903
Ship State Description
Jack Rabbit  United States The steamer struck a snag and sank in the White River near Sibleys Island.[47]

31 May

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 31 May 1903
Ship State Description
Helen  United States The launch burned at dock in Dover Point, New Hampshire.[15]
Mike Bauer  United States 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.[47]
Nellie  United States The steamer was sunk at Wetherill's Wharf, Cohansey Creek, New Jersey when a falling tide dropped her on a stump punching a hole in her bottom.[15]

Unknown date

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: Unknown May 1903
Ship State Description
Columbia  United States The steamer caught fire and sank at dock in Washington, D.C. on 10 or 13 May.[80][81]
Luna  United States The steamer was lost to fire in the Detroit River at the foot of Chase Street, Detroit on 18 or 25 May.[82][83]

June

[edit]

3 June

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 3 June 1903
Ship State Description
Flying Eagle  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.[84][85]
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.[84][85]

5 June

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 5 June 1903
Ship State Description
Empire State  United States The laid up steamer was destroyed by fire over night at dock at Kingston, Ontario.[5]

7 June

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 7 June 1903
Ship State Description
Liban  France The passenger steamer sank following a collision with Insulaire near the port of Marseille. Estimates of those lost varied widely as no accurate count of the passengers and crew was made before sailing. Conservative estimates put the death toll at 97 out of between 200–240 persons aboard. Some estimates of the lost were near twice that number. The vast majority of fatalities were women and children.[86]
Olivette  United States The steamer struck a rock and sank at Six Mile Island in the Allegheny River. Raised and repaired.[87]

9 June

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 9 June 1903
Ship State Description
Otto  United States The laid up steamer burned at Freeport, Florida, probably arson.[88]

10 June

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 10 June 1903
Ship State Description
Puritan  United States The canal boat sank at dock at Jersey City, New Jersey.[15]
Rubens  Belgium The steamer capsized and sank in the North Sea. Eleven crew killed, four rescued by Privo ( Norway).[89]

12 June

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 12 June 1903
Ship State Description
Ariel  United States The steamer sunk by flooding while hauled out for repairs at Lexington, Missouri. Total loss.[47]
Washington B. Thomas  United States Carrying a cargo of coal, the 287-foot (87 m), 2,638-gross register ton five-masted schooner — which had been launched only two months earlier — dragged her anchor during a gale and was wrecked on a reef just off the east side of Stratton Island in Saco Bay off Prouts Neck, Maine, at 43°30′12.30″N 070°18′22.17″W / 43.5034167°N 70.3061583°W / 43.5034167; -70.3061583 (Washington B. Thomas). The captain's wife was the only fatality. The wreck settled in shallow water.[90]

13 June

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 13 June 1903
Ship State Description
Charles H. Davis  United States 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.[91][92]

17 June

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 17 June 1903
Ship State Description
HMS Scorpion  Royal Navy The decommissioned Scorpion-class ironclad turret ship foundered in the Atlantic Ocean while under tow from the United Kingdom to the United States for scrapping.

23 June

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 23 June 1903
Ship State Description
O. W. Cheney  United States The tug was sunk in a collision with Chemung ( United States) on Lake Erie near Point Albino, Canada, or Windmill Point, Ontario. Three crewmen killed.[5][93]

25 June

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 25 June 1903
Ship State Description
Bolinas  United States The motorboat struck a snag near Isleton, California in the Sacramento River and was beached and repaired.[18]
Vicksburg  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.[47]

30 June

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 30 June 1903
Ship State Description
James G. Swan  United States The 44-ton sealing schooner sank on the coast of the District of Alaska.[94]
M. M. Morill  United States The 43-ton sealing schooner sank without loss of life on the coast of the District of Alaska.[23]
Thomas D. Stimson  United States The steamer was destroyed by fire in the St. Clair River. Removal of wreck completed 13 August.[73][95][96]

July

[edit]

2 July

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 2 July 1903
Ship State Description
Eltinge Anderson  United States The ferry was destroyed by fire between Athens, New York and Coxsackie, New York.[15]

8 July

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 8 July 1903
Ship State Description
Lucille Nowland  United States The steamer struck a submerged obstruction in the Arkansas River near Fites Landing and sank. One crewman killed.[47]

13 July

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 13 July 1903
Ship State Description
Champion  United States The schooner sank in the St. Clair River near the head of Russell Island. Wreck removed by 3 September.[96]

14 July

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 14 July 1903
Ship State Description
Monterey  United Kingdom 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 Petite Miquelon, and was subsequently abandoned.

17 July

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 17 July 1903
Ship State Description
Contrivance  United States The sloop was sunk in a collision with Central Hudson ( United States) above Esopus Lighthouse in the Hudson River. Her captain died.[97]

18 July

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 18 July 1903
Ship State Description
Contrivance  United States The sloop was sunk in a collision with Central Hudson ( United States) off Esopus Light in the Hudson River. Her captain was killed.[15]

19 July

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 19 July 1903
Ship State Description
North Pacific  United States
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 reached shore in her boats.[15]

22 July

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 22 July 1903
Ship State Description
Gardner  United States The laid up tug sank at dock when struck by Eastland ( United States) at the Lake Street Bridge, Chicago, Illinois.[38]
Waverly  United States The steamer sunk in a collision on Lake Huron with Turret Court ( Canada).[38]

23 July

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 23 July 1903
Ship State Description
Light Guard  United States The wooden schooner barge was scuttled in 7 feet (2.1 m) of water in Lake Huron off the coast of Michigan at 45°03′00″N 83°23′00″W / 45.05°N 83.383333°W / 45.05; -83.383333 (Light Guard) and abandoned.[98][99]
Walsh  United States The steamer burned at Port Orchard, Washington.[15]

24 July

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 24 July 1903
Ship State Description
Shawmut  United States The fuel scow was damaged when rammed at the Lackawanna Coal dock, Buffalo, New York, by Mahoning ( United States). She drifted around the end of the dock and sank.[100]

25 July

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 25 July 1903
Ship State Description
Knight Templar  United States The wooden schooner barge was scuttled in 5 feet (1.5 m) of water in Lake Huron off the coast of Michigan at 45°03′00″N 83°22′00″W / 45.05°N 83.366667°W / 45.05; -83.366667 (Knight Templar) and abandoned.[98][101]
V. Swain  United States The steamer was sunk at dock at Two Harbors, Minnesota when a bilge pump failed. Raised and beached in Howard's Bay to await repairs.[102][103]

27 July

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 27 July 1903
Ship State Description
Southwark  United States The steamer burned to the waterline at Pier 28 South, Philadelphia.[15]

August

[edit]

2 August

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 2 August 1903
Ship State Description
Tennie and Laura  United States During a voyage from Muskegon, Michigan, to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with a cargo of lumber, the two-masted scow schooner capsized and sank in Lake Michigan northeast of Milwaukee and nine nautical miles (17 km) southeast of Port Washington, Wisconsin. One of her two-man crew died. Her wreck lies in 325 feet (99 m) of water at 43°41.494′N 087°33.298′W / 43.691567°N 87.554967°W / 43.691567; -87.554967 (Tennie and Laura) in the Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast National Marine Sanctuary.[104][105]

3 August

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 3 August 1903
Ship State Description
Amiral Gueydon  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 Ras Haseik. The Sheik of Merbat learned of the castaways and sent three small boats that picked up the crew on 15 September. They were then rescued at sea by Trouvon ( Russia) on 19 August.[106][107]

4 August

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 4 August 1903
Ship State Description
Scow No. 23  United States The scow sprung a leak and sank near Popasquash Point, Rhode Island in Narragansett Bay.[11]

5 August

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 5 August 1903
Ship State 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 Mars ( United States).[15]
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 Mars ( United States).[15]

6 August

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 6 August 1903
Ship State Description
John E. Thropp  United States The steamer was sunk off Bristol, Pennsylvania when she collided with a barge towed by Eva Belle Cain ( United States). Her crew was rescued by Eva Belle Cain.[15]

7 August

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 7 August 1903
Ship State Description
Metropole  United States The steamer sprang a leak and sank in Saginaw Bay. The crew made it to shore in the ship's boat.[108]

8 August

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 8 August 1903
Ship State Description
Dana B. Wotkyns  United States The tug was destroyed by fire between Albany, New York and Troy, New York off Breaker Island.[109]

9 August

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 9 August 1903
Ship State Description
Volunteer  United States The barge sprung a leak and sank between Point Judith, Rhode Island and Beavertail Lighthouse.[11]

11 August

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 11 August 1903
Ship State Description
Daisy  United States The launch was sunk in a collision with Pokomoke ( United States), probably at Norfolk, Virginia.[11]
Henry  United States The tow steamer sprung a leak on Lake Erie off Cleveland, Ohio and was beached.[108]

12 August

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 12 August 1903
Ship State Description
D. Maria Amelia  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.[15]

13 August

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 13 August 1903
Ship State Description
Waiontha  United States The steamer was destroyed by fire below Shears Shoal in the Connecticut River.[15]

17 August

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 17 August 1903
Ship State Description
Huan T'ai  Imperial Chinese Navy The Kai Chi-class unprotected cruiser sank off Hong Kong after colliding with the passenger ship Empress of India ( United Kingdom).[110]
Mary  United States The steamer sank at dock at the foot of Dubois Street, Detroit, Michigan. Later scheduled to be raised.[38]

18 August

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 18 August 1903
Ship State Description
John J. White  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.[15]

20 August

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 20 August 1903
Ship State Description
Massina  United States The steamer was destroyed by fire over night at dock in Ogdensburg, New York.[5]
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 Cordorus ( United States), one crewman reportedly died while abandoning ship.[5][111]

21 August

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 21 August 1903
Ship State Description
Oslyabya  Imperial Russian Navy The Peresvet-class battleship ran aground in the Strait of Gibraltar. She was refloated and repaired and she returned to active service in late November.

23 August

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 23 August 1903
Ship State Description
Narara  Australia 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

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 25 August 1903
Ship State Description
Myrtle  United States The steamer was destroyed by fire at Thousand Island Park in the St. Lawrence River due to an exploding lamp.[5]

26 August

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 26 August 1903
Ship State Description
John Booth  United States The schooner was cut in half and sunk in a collision with H. M. Whitney ten miles (16 km) east of Stratford Shoal. Five crewmen and a friend of the captain were killed.[112]
Oneida  United States The tug sank at dock in Tonawanda, New York over night for unknown reasons. Later raised with no damage found.[5]

Unknown date

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: Unknown date 1903
Ship State Description
Cyclone  United States The steamer, being used as a launch tender, was lost at Baron Koff Bay, Kamchatka, Siberia.[113]
George W. Kelley  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.[5][114]
Vigilant  United States Operating on the Ketchikan mail route, the steam tug 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 Cape Fox, District of Alaska. One crewman was injured.[115]

September

[edit]

2 September

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 2 September 1903
Ship State Description
Clipper  United States The steamer burned at Walton's Coal Works on the Monongahela River, a total loss.[116]

4 September

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 4 September 1903
Ship State Description
Abbie M. Deering  United States The 101-gross register ton, 90.5-foot (27.6 m) schooner was wrecked on a reef off Baby Island (53°59′51″N 166°03′42″W / 53.9974°N 166.0616°W / 53.9974; -166.0616 (Baby Island)) in the northwestern part of Akutan Pass (54°00′N 166°10′W / 54.000°N 166.167°W / 54.000; -166.167 (Akutan Pass)) in the Aleutian Islands and was deemed a total loss. Leaving her first mate in charge of the wreck, the revenue cutter USRC Manning ( United States Revenue Cutter Service) took off 38 passengers and eight crew members.[117][118]
Pittsburg  United States The dredge sprung a leak and sank in the Allegheny River below 43rd Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Raised and repaired.[38]

5 September

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 5 September 1903
Ship State Description
Jennie R. Dubois  United States Carrying a cargo of coal, the 249-foot (76 m), 2,227-gross register ton five-masted schooner 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 cargo steamer Schonfels ( German Empire). Schonfels rescued her entire crew of 11 men.[119]

7 September

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 7 September 1903
Ship State Description
J. P. Gage  United States The steamer struck an obstruction at St. Charles, Missouri and sank. Total loss.[64]
R. Kanters  United States The schooner was wrecked in a storm south of Manistee, Michigan. Total loss. Wreck discovered 19 April 2020.[120]

9 September

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 9 September 1903
Ship State Description
W. T. Scovell  United States The steamer struck an obstruction and sank between New Orleans and Shreveport, Louisiana. Raised on 11 September.[5]
Wa Wa  United States The pleasure steamer burned at Burlington, Vermont, a total loss.[56]

10 September

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 10 September 1903
Ship State Description
Glenfeadon  United Kingdom The schooner was driven ashore at The Mumbles, Glamorgan. She was refloated the next day.[19]
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.[19]
J. K. Allport  United Kingdom The ship foundered in the Bristol Channel.[19]

11 September

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 11 September 1903
Ship State Description
Inchulva  United States The steamer sank in Delray Beach, Florida opposite the beach in what was later termed the Delray Wreck. Nine crewman died.[121]

12 September

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 12 September 1903
Ship State Description
Park Bluff  United States The steamer sank in the St. Croix River opposite Stillwater, Minnesota. One crewman killed.[64]

14 September

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 14 September 1903
Ship State Description
Eunola  United States The steamer burned at dock in Chattahoochee, Florida, a total loss.[43]

15 September

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 15 September 1903
Ship State Description
Champion  United States The steamer burned at anchor in Put-In-Bay, Ohio.[5]
Howard B. Peck  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

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 16 September 1903
Ship State Description
Alma  United States The steamer burned and sank at a wharf, probably at Norfolk, Virginia.[11]
Ceres  United States The yacht sank in a storm at the New Haven Yacht Club, New Haven, Connecticut. Her hull was a total loss, her machinery was scheduled to be salvaged.[11]
Gilberton  United States 1903 New Jersey hurricane: The 841-gross register ton schooner barge sank on Brown Shoal off the coast of Delaware. All three people on board survived.[122]
John R. Williams  United States The Tug was destroyed by fire between Albany, New York and Athens, New York off Castleton-on-Hudson, New York.[15]
S. E. Spring  United States The passenger steamer went ashore in a severe storm at Woods Point, Indian Harbor, New York on Long Island.[15]
Spartan  United States 1903 New Jersey hurricane: The tug sank in a hurricane in Delaware Bay below Brow Shoal. Two crewmen killed.[15]
Welcome  United States The steamer was wrecked two miles (3.2 km) west of Charlevoix Bay.[38]

17 September

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 17 September 1903
Ship State Description
Narragansett  United States The barge sank in a severe storm, probably off New York.[15]

19 September

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 19 September 1903
Ship State Description
A. A. Parker  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.[38][123][124]

21 September

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 21 September 1903
Ship State Description
Charles S. Parnell  United States The tug capsized while towing a steamer near Little Island in Tonawanda Harbor.[5]

26 September

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 26 September 1903
Ship State Description
Harold  United States The barge sank off Staten Island, New York. She was carrying jewels belonging to the Guggenheim family.

27 September

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 27 September 1903
Ship State Description
Meriden  United States The steamer burned at dock in Toledo, Ohio, possibly due to an exploding lamp, a total loss.[56]

29 September

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 29 September 1903
Ship State Description
Bida  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 Maas lightship ( Belgium).[125]

30 September

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 30 September 1903
Ship State Description
Sara  United States The steamer struck rocks at "Chain of Rocks" in the Yukon River and sank in 5+12 feet (1.7 m) of water.[15]

Unknown date

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: Unknown date 1903
Ship State 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.[126]
Joe  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.[82][127]
Moonlight  United States The schooner sank in Lake Superior off Michigan Island, Wisconsin.
William Clark  United States The 37-gross register ton schooner was stranded at Bay Ridge, New York. All three people aboard survived.[128]

October

[edit]

1 October

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 1 October 1903
Ship State Description
Celtic  United States The steamer foundered one-half mile (0.80 km) south west of Saybrook, Connecticut. Her machinery was salvaged.[11]
Oregon  United States The steamer was destroyed by fire over night at dock at Fisherworks Wharf, Black Point, Connecticut.[15]

3 October

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 16 October 1903
Ship State Description
Erie L. Hackley  United States 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.[129][130][131][132]

4 October

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 4 October 1903
Ship State Description
Benjamin Sewall  United States The schooner was heavily damaged by a typhoon and abandoned off Formosa. The survivors sailed to Botel Tobago Island, 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.[133]

7 October

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 7 October 1903
Ship State Description
Adventure  United States The steamer was destroyed by fire at the Kelly Island Lime and Transport Co. dock in Kelleys Island, Ohio.[5][134]
Mary McLane  United States The steamer was destroyed by fire at Sour Spring Grove Dock in the Niagara River.[5]
Rover  United States The freighter grounded on West Way causing a leak and was beached.[135]

8 October

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 8 October 1903
Ship State Description
General Rivera  National Navy of Uruguay The General Rivera-class gunboat sank after an internal explosion.[136]

9 October

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 9 October 1903
Ship State Description
Admiral  United States The motorboat capsized in a squall in San Francisco Bay. One passenger and one crewman killed.[55]
J. R. Sharp  United States The steamer sprang a leak at dock at Jones Landing, Georgia on the Flint River and sank.[5]
John N. Glidden  United States The steamer was sunk in a collision with the barge Magna in the St. Clair Flats Ship Canal, a total loss. The wreck was removed over a period of months ending in May 1904.[137][138]

10 October

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 10 October 1903
Ship State Description
Louisa  United States The steamer struck a snag in the Santee River and sank.[11]
Mermaid  United States The 9-gross register ton motor vessel burned at Mukilteo, Washington. The only person on board survived.[139]
Nellie  United States The steamer struck a snag near the head of Willamette Slough, Oregon damaging a plank and she was beached in shallow water.[15]
Sunshine  United States The steamer struck a submerged obstruction in the Ohio River at Marshalls Landing, Kentucky and sank. Raised and repaired.[47]

11 October

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 11 October 1903
Ship State Description
Itasca  United States The steamer sank in the Rainy River when cargo shifted. Later raised undamaged.[47]
John L. Day  United States The steamer sank at Ocmulgee Depot in the Ocmulgee River.[11]

12 October

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 12 October 1903
Ship State Description
John J. Healy  United States The river steamer was lost at St. Michael, District of Alaska.[94]
Unidentified canal boat  United States The canal boat, under tow of Empire ( United States), sank in a collision with the steamer Leonidus in the East River.[140]

15 October

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 15 October 1903
Ship State Description
Gerald C.  United States The boat struck the Nestucca Bar, Nestucca Bay and went ashore. Refloated on 3 November.[141]
Marquette  United States The lake freighter sank in Lake Superior about five nautical miles (9.3 km; 5.8 mi) east of Michigan Island.[47][142]
Spy  United States The fishing steamer was destroyed by fire at dock in Tiverton, Rhode Island.[11]

17 October

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 17 October 1903
Ship State Description
Carnsew  United Kingdom The coastal steamer collided with the steamer Everest (flag unknown) and sank off Bull Point, North Devon, United Kingdom. All the crew survived.[143]
Champion No. 2  United States The ferry was holed in the hull and sank at Gallipolis, Ohio. Raised and repaired.[38]

19 October

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 19 October 1903
Ship State Description
South Portland  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.[18]

23 October

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 23 October 1903
Ship State Description
Florence Marmet  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.[38]

25 October

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 25 October 1903
Ship State Description
Emma Maria  Russia The schooner was driven ashore and wrecked at Chesil Beach, Dorset, United Kingdom.[49]
Rainier  United States The 179-gross register ton, 81.4-foot (24.8 m) fishing steamer was wrecked on an uncharted rock in Icy Strait in the Alexander Archipelago in Southeast Alaska, 1.5 nautical miles (2.8 km; 1.7 mi) roughly west-northwest of "Spasskaia Island," now called Spasski Island (58°06′15″N 135°17′20″W / 58.10417°N 135.28889°W / 58.10417; -135.28889 (Spasski Island)). All 25 members of her crew survived.[144]

26 October

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 26 October 1903
Ship State Description
Columbia  United States The steamer sprang a leak and was beached in Saginaw Bay.[108][124]
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.[38]
Patria  Norway The barque was driven ashore and wrecked at Chesil Beach, Dorset, United Kingdom.[49]
Silver Spray  United States The fishing tug burned to the keel in drydock at Buffalo, New York. Repaired and returned to service.[145]
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).[130][146]

29 October

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 29 October 1903
Ship State Description
Lotus Sims  United States The steamer was destroyed by fire at St. Louis, Missouri, a total loss.[47]
Unidentified sailing vessel  Japan 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 cruiser Bugeaud ( French Navy) rescued her seven survivors under difficult conditions and delivered them to Yokohama on 30 October.[147]

30 October

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 30 October 1903
Ship State Description
City of St. Louis  United States The steamer was destroyed by fire at St. Louis, Missouri and sank. One crewman missing. Total loss.[47]

31 October

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 31 October 1903
Ship State Description
Saveland  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.[124]

November

[edit]

1 November

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 1 November 1903
Ship State Description
Discovery  United States The 209-gross register ton, 90-foot (27.4 m) steamer departed Yakutat, District 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.[148]

2 November

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 2 November 1903
Ship State Description
Petroleum #1  United States Carrying a cargo of three tons of miscellaneous merchandise and under tow by a motor launch from Katalla, District of Alaska, to Kayak Island off Southcentral Alaska, the 18-net register ton scow sank in a gale in the Gulf of Alaska off Kayak Island after her tow line parted.[149]

3 November

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 3 November 1903
Ship State Description
Peerless  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.[18]

4 November

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 4 November 1903
Ship State 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.[150][151]

7 November

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 7 November 1903
Ship State Description
Connecticut  United States The 99-gross register ton schooner sank off Chatham, Massachusetts. Both people on board survived.[152]

9 November

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 9 November 1903
Ship State Description
Imnaha  United States The steamer snagged a mooring line causing her to drift in to the Mountain Sheep Rapids on the Snake River and was wrecked.[15]

11 November

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 11 November 1903
Ship State Description
Ruth  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.[18]

12 November

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 12 November 1903
Ship State Description
S. C. Baldwin  United States The steamer was sunk by ice 7+12 miles (12.1 km) north east of Long Tail Point.[38]

13 November

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 13 November 1903
Ship State Description
Cassie  United States The sloop was sunk in a collision with Albemarle ( United States), apparently in Virginia. One man drowned.[11]

14 November

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 14 November 1903
Ship State Description
Pioneer  United States The motor vessel struck a submerged object and sank in Chesapeake Bay. Her crew was saved.[11]

15 November

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 15 November 1903
Ship State Description
Avarana  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.[153]

17 November

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 17 November 1903
Ship State Description
Minnesota  United States The steamer burned in the St. Clair River and sank 1,500–2,000 feet (460–610 m) off the Grande Pointe Hotel pier of Grande Pointe, Michigan. Wreck removal was underway at end of year.[108][96]
Return  United States The steamer struck a hidden obstruction and sank in the Allegheny River, probably near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.[38]

18 November

[edit]
List of shipwrecks: 18 November 1903
Ship State Description
Nellie  United States The steamer was destroyed by fire at dock at Grants Ferry, Washington on the Columbia River.[15]

19 November

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List of shipwrecks: 19 November 1903
Ship State Description
May Flower  United States The steamer sank when ice gouged the caulking out of her seams between Warsaw, Illinois and Burlington, Iowa.[47]

20 November

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List of shipwrecks: 20 November 1903
Ship State 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, District of Alaska, during a storm.[117]
Gladstone  United States The steamer was sunk in a collision with Sacramento ( United States) near the Detroit River Light in Lake Erie.[153]

21 November

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List of shipwrecks: 21 November 1903
Ship State Description
Araby Maid  Norway The bark was sunk in a collision with Denver 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.[154][75]

22 November

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List of shipwrecks: 22 November 1903
Ship State Description
Saugerties  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.[15][155]

26 November

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List of shipwrecks: 26 November 1903
Ship State Description
S. C. Baldwin  United States During a voyage from Green Bay, Wisconsin, to Buffalo, New York, with a cargo of lumber, the 160-foot (49 m), 356-gross register ton steam barge struck ice and sank off Wisconsin in Green Bay near Long Tail Point, 10 nautical miles (19 km; 12 mi) north of the entrance to the Fox River. By the beginning of April 1904, she had been refloated. She subsequently was converted into an unpowered barge and placed back in service.[156][157]

27 November

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