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SS Brother Jonathan - Shipwreck
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SS Brother Jonathan

description SS Brother Jonathan Overview

SS Brother Jonathan was a side-wheel paddle steamer that operated along the Pacific coast of North America during the mid-19th century. On July 30, 1865, it struck a submerged rock near Crescent City in northern California during a voyage north and sank, with only a small number of those aboard surviving. Roughly 225 people died, making the wreck one of the deadliest maritime disasters on the Pacific Coast of the United States during the 19th century.

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Where and when did the SS Brother Jonathan sink?

The SS Brother Jonathan struck a submerged rock and sank on July 30, 1865, near Crescent City in northern California during a voyage heading north. The side-wheel paddle steamer had been operating along the Pacific coast of North America during the mid-19th century.

When was the wreck of the SS Brother Jonathan discovered?

The wreck was discovered in the early 1990s, leading to years of recovery operations. The ship had been carrying a significant cargo that included gold, and artifacts and coins were recovered from the seabed over multiple dives.

How many people survived the SS Brother Jonathan shipwreck?

Only a small number of the people on board survived the sinking, with most passengers and crew lost when the steamer went down. The exact death toll has been debated, but the loss of life was substantial, making it one of the worst maritime disasters on the Pacific coast.

Was gold recovered from the SS Brother Jonathan?

Yes, gold coins and other valuable cargo were recovered from the wreck after its discovery in the 1990s. The recovery efforts involved legal disputes over salvage rights, and some of the recovered gold coins sold for significant sums to collectors.

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