AH-WR-0410

USS Peacock

Sloop-Of-War · United States · Lost 1841 · The Columbia River Bar & Oregon Coast

A U.S. Navy sloop-of-war of the Wilkes Exploring Expedition wrecked crossing the Columbia River Bar in 1841, giving her name to Peacock Spit.

Artistic recreation based on recorded historical documents.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

USS Peacock was a U.S. Navy sloop-of-war built in 1828 that served as part of the United States Exploring Expedition under Charles Wilkes. In July 1841, while attempting to survey the mouth of the Columbia River, she grounded on the treacherous bar and broke apart in the surf. Her entire crew escaped safely to shore, but the ship was a total loss. The hazardous shoal where she wrecked has been known as Peacock Spit ever since.

Vessel

Built: 1828
Builder: Not established
Yard: Not established
Material: Wood
Length: Not established
Beam: Not established
Tonnage: Not established
Propulsion: Sail
Owners: United States Navy

Loss

Date: July 18, 1841
Cause: Grounding
Location: Columbia River Bar, Oregon
Water: Pacific Ocean
Voyage: Not established
Cargo: Not established
Aboard: Not established
Lives lost: No lives were lost; the entire crew reached shore safely.
Master: William L. Hudson

The Wreck Today

Depth: Not established
Condition: Broken apart in the surf; no substantial hull remains known
Orientation: Not established
Discovered: Not established
Protection: Not established

Position

Coordinates: 46.27° N 124.09° W
Accuracy: Approximate position
Nearest: Mouth of the Columbia River, Oregon
Region: The Columbia River Bar & Oregon Coast

USS Peacock wrecked on July 18, 1841 on the sandspit at the north side of the Columbia River entrance, which was subsequently named Peacock Spit after the ship; coordinates given are the charted position of Peacock Spit (GNIS), as no separate precise wreck-site fix was found.

Evidence

Overall confidence: Documented (75/100)

Naval History and Heritage Command
Loss date, cause, expedition context, and crew survival.
HistoryLink.org, USS Peacock wrecks at the mouth of the Columbia River
loss location
USGS GNIS via MyTopo/OHS Digital Collections, Peacock Spit
place-name coordinates