AH-WR-1370

Uzbekistan

Freighter · Soviet Union · Lost 1943 · The British Columbia Coast

A Soviet lend-lease freighter ran aground near Darling River during a wartime lighthouse blackout in 1943; her boiler still lies on the beach along the West Coast Trail.

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Artistic recreation based on recorded historical documents.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

Built in France in 1937 and later placed under Soviet lend-lease service carrying war supplies, Uzbekistan was traveling from Portland to Seattle in gale conditions when wartime blackout of coastal lights left her navigators uncertain of their position. She ran aground near the mouth of the Darling River on Vancouver Island's west coast. All 50 crew reached shore safely, camped near the wreck, and were eventually assisted by the Royal Canadian Navy minesweeper Outarde. Her machinery remains visible at the site today, within Pacific Rim National Park Reserve.

Vessel

Built: 1937
Builder: Ateliers et Chantiers de la Loire
Yard: Saint-Nazaire, France
Material: Steel
Length: 326.3 ft
Beam: 48.1 ft
Tonnage: 3039
Propulsion: Steam, single screw
Owners: Soviet Government, Northern Soviet Supply Service, lend-lease arrangement

Loss

Date: April 1, 1943
Cause: Navigational error
Location: Near the mouth of the Darling River, west coast of Vancouver Island
Water: Pacific Ocean, Juan de Fuca Strait approaches
Voyage: Portland, Oregon → Seattle, Washington
Cargo: Not established
Aboard: 50
Lives lost: 0
Master: Not established

The Wreck Today

Depth: Not established
Condition: Boiler and machinery remain visible on the beach at the wreck site.
Orientation: Not established
Discovered: Not established
Protection: Within Pacific Rim National Park Reserve