1912 ❖ REVENUE LAUNCH GUARD WRECKED ❖

Revenue Cutter GUARD
Near Richardson, Lopez Island, San Juan County, WA.
1912 photo from the archives of the S.P.H.S.

The revenue launch GUARD met with a serious mishap when she struck a rock in the narrow channel between Woody and Lopez Islands, close by Richardson. The impact stove a big hole in the bow and as the tide was nearly full at the time, as it receded the vessel was left high upon the rocks, listed over on one side. The small boat was quickly lowered and everything movable was taken off and sent ashore on the fishing boat BILL II which was fortunately close by on its way to this port. The engineer, deckman, and cook came here also. Mr. Woolford, the officer in command, and the fireman remaining with the wreck. A message was sent from Richardson to Capt. Dunwoody, at Port Townsend, head of the revenue cutter service on the Sound notifying him of the wreck and asking for assistance. The members of the crew who called here thought it quite likely that the vessel might be taken from the rocks by the use of two scows and a light draft tug if the weather continues to be comparatively calm for a day or two.
      The place where the accident occurred is one of the most dangerous among the islands. Mr. Woolford is considered a careful and capable navigator and bar piloted the GUARD through the channel scores of times. It is supposed that the strong tide set him slightly out of his course. Had he been five feet further offshore he would have passed the reef safely.
Above text from the San Juan Islander January 1912.

1912, February:
Shier & Johnson, of Bellingham, were the successful bidders for the revenue launch GUARD, wrecked near Richardson Jan. Their bid being $603.Other bids were as follows:
E. A. Sims, Pt. Townsend, $150
John Douglas, Friday Harbor, $500.50
King & Winge, Seattle, $301
H. W. Crosby, Seattle, $450
H. K. McCarthy, Seattle, $576.20
N. P. Hodgson, Richardson, $510.
      It is believed that the government intends to purchase a serviceable boat to replace the GUARD. Capt. Dunwoody head of the Revenue Cutter service on the Sound is said to have been in Seattle this week looking for a suitable vessel. A steam vessel only is wanted––one burning either coal or crude oil.
      The GUARD was floated this week and beached near Richardson. She was temporarily patched and towed to Reed's Shipyard [Decatur Island] for permanent repairs.
Text from: San Juan Islander Feb. 1912.