AH-WR-0807

New Carissa

Bulk Freighter · Panama · Lost 1999 · The Columbia River Bar & Oregon Coast

This wood-chip carrier ran aground near Coos Bay in 1999, spawning a years-long environmental and salvage saga that ended with a Navy torpedo strike.

Become Captain of Record See Shipwreck on Map

Artistic recreation based on recorded historical documents. See the documented evidence.

Historically Reconstructed. Drawn from partial documentation of this vessel together with her known class and configuration. See the documented evidence.

The Vessel and Her Loss

New Carissa grounded on the North Spit near Coos Bay, Oregon, during a February 1999 storm, spilling fuel oil. Attempts to burn off the fuel broke the ship in two. The stern remained aground for salvage while the bow was towed out to sea, broke loose in another storm, and eventually was towed 320 miles offshore, torpedoed by a Navy submarine, and sunk in deep water. The stern section was later removed from the beach by salvors.

Vessel

Built: 1989
Builder: Not established
Yard: Not established
Material: Steel
Length: Not established
Beam: Not established
Tonnage: Not established
Propulsion: Diesel, single screw
Owners: Not established

Loss

Date: February 4, 1999
Cause: Storm
Location: North Spit near Coos Bay, Oregon (bow later scuttled 320 miles offshore)
Water: Pacific Ocean
Voyage: Coos Bay, Oregon
Cargo: Not established
Aboard: Not established
Lives lost: 0
Master: Not established

The Wreck Today

Depth: 11000 ft
Condition: Stern removed from beach by salvors; bow section sunk deep offshore after breaking loose and being torpedoed by a Navy submarine
Orientation: Not established
Discovered: Not established
Protection: Not established

Position

Coordinates: 43.399° N 124.312° W
Accuracy: Surveyed position
Nearest: Coos Bay, Oregon
Region: The Columbia River Bar & Oregon Coast

New Carissa ran hard aground on the North Spit beach north of Coos Bay on Feb 4, 1999; the grounding position is documented at 43°23'55"N 124°18'43"W, and NOAA's incident report independently places the site about 2.7 miles off/near Coos Bay.