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The square-rigger ship, Glenneslin, was built in Liverpool, England, in 1885.  It was an amazing ship.  In 1901. she beat a field of eight square-riggers in a trans-ocean race by 17 days.  In 1902, she sailed 1,000 miles to four days.  She also held a record for sailing from Portland, Oregon, to Por Elizabeth, Sout Africa, in 74 days.

 

On October 1, 1913, the Glennesslin was bound for Portland.  Suddenly, the vessel turned towards the rolling waters at the base of Mount Neah-Kah-Nie, north of Manzanita.  At 2:30 pm, the ship crashed into the base of the 1600-foot mountain.

 

Captain Williams and the 21 crewmen rached the rocks safely.  But rescuers smelled alcohol and thought some of the crew were drunk.

 

As shown in the photo, the crash was quite a dramatic image.  In fact, in the photograph you can see a second photographer also capturing the image of the ship wreck.

 

The Court of Inquiry into how the wreck happened captured international attention.  After examining the officers and the crew of the wrecked ship, the officers were held responsible for the drunken behavior of their crew.  Because the wreck occurred in comparatively clear weather, Captain Williams was charged with being "negligent in his duty."

 

Breaking waves quickly destroyed the Glennesslin.  Some people believed that it was purposedly wrecked as part of a nefarious scheme to collect her insured value in a day when the steamer was crowding the square-rigger off the high seas.

 

After an exhaustive investigation, te insurance was finally paid. the loss being recorded as due to the inexperienced first and second officers who were only 22 years of age.

 

[Source: Shipwrecks of the Pacific Coast by James A. Gibbs]