SS Traveler
Passenger And Mail Steamer · United States · Lost 1858 · Puget Sound & Discovery Bay
One of Puget Sound's first American steamships, broken apart by a gale off Foulweather Bluff in 1858.
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The Vessel and Her Loss
Built as the iron-hulled Kangaroo in Philadelphia, the vessel was shipped west in pieces and reassembled on Puget Sound in 1853 as the Traveler. She carried mail between Olympia, Steilacoom, Port Gamble, and Port Townsend and served as an Army charter during the 1855-1856 Indian War. On the night of March 2, 1858, she was caught in a gale off Foulweather Bluff, ran aground, and broke apart, killing five of her eight crew. In 1990 divers with the Argonaut Society located wreckage believed to be hers.
Vessel
- 1853
- Not established
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Iron
- Not established
- Not established
- Not established
- Steam
- Not established
Loss
- March 2, 1858
- Storm
- Off Foulweather Bluff, entrance to Hood Canal
- Hood Canal
- Not established
- Not established
- 8
- 5
- Not established
The Wreck Today
- 30
- Broken up; located by divers as scattered wreckage on the bottom.
- Not established
- 1990
- Not established
Position
- Not established
- Position not established
- Foulweather Bluff, Washington
General wreck area near Foulweather Bluff has been investigated by divers, but a published exact position was not found.
Evidence
Overall confidence: Partially documented (65/100)
The exact resting position of the wreckage identified in 1990 has not been published in sources reviewed.
Build history, loss date, location, casualties, and 1990 discovery.
The Seattle Times (archival)
1990 discovery and dive investigation account.
