USS S. P. Lee
Destroyer · United States · Lost 1923 · Southern California & Catalina
The second destroyer in line to wreck at Honda Point in 1923, striking close to the cliffs moments after her flagship grounded ahead.
The Vessel and Her Loss
USS S. P. Lee followed flagship Delphy into the fog-shrouded turn toward what the squadron believed was the Santa Barbara Channel on September 8, 1923. She struck the rocks near the cliffs on the north side of Honda Point within moments of Delphy's grounding. Her crew suffered no losses, but the ship could not be saved and broke apart under the surf over the following year.
Vessel
- 1919
- DD-310
- Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation, Union Iron Works
- San Francisco, California
- Steel
- 314.4 ft
- 30.9 ft
- 1308
- Geared turbines, twin screws
- United States Navy
Loss
- September 8, 1923
- Navigational error
- Honda Point (Point Pedernales), Santa Barbara County, California
- Pacific Ocean
- San Francisco, California → San Diego, California
- Not established
- Not established
- 0
- Not established
The Wreck Today
- Not established
- Broken up by surf action over the year following the wreck
- Not established
- Not established
- Site lies on active U.S. military property (Vandenberg Space Force Base)
Position
- 34.60° N 120.64° W
- Approximate position
- Honda Point, near Lompoc, California
General position of Honda Point (Point Pedernales) as commonly cited for the disaster site.
Evidence
Overall confidence: Documented (75/100)
Naval History and Heritage Command
Ship specifications, service history, and loss circumstances.
