Kodiak Island is famous for its bears, its fishing fleet, and its Coast Guard base, as well as for its incredible views. A magnificent island initially inhabited by First Nations people and later settled by Russian fur traders, it is a wonderful place to visit, particularly during the summer, when the midnight sun barely kisses the horizon before rising again. Nearby Spruce Island is located about 10 miles north of Kodiak - either a quick hop by seaplane, or about an hour's boat ride away. It is here that, in 2003, Steven Lloyd discovered the long lost wreck of the Kad'yak.
The Kad'yak Wreck
The Kad'yak was a small wooden sailing bark owned by the Russian American Trading Company. Used primarily for hauling ice to San Francisco from Alaska during the late 1850's, the ship was lost in 1860 in Monk's Lagoon near Ouzinkie, a small Alaska Native village on Spruce Island. At the time, the ship was carrying 350 tons of ice, which kept the ship afloat while all hands were able to make it off safely - in fact, the cargo of ice allowed the Kad'yak to remain afloat for several days. During that time, locals attempted to salvage the ship, even going so far as to attempt to tow it to shore with rowboats, but their efforts were futile.
Today, the wreck, which is primarily iron and copper remains, is located in a sandy channel at a depth of 80 feet. You'll find a trio of massive iron anchors and a pair of enormous cannons, along with other metal artifacts although much of the 132 foot long ship's wooden structures have long since eroded. Some sections of the wreck are still identifiable, including deck braces and much of the copper sheathing that covered the ship's hull. In addition, there is a heap of ballast stone sitting at the main wreck site; the entire area of debris extends for approximately 100 yards in all.
Recreational diving at the site of the Kad'yak is understandably limited; the National Science Foundation and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are working together with shipwreck archaeologists to conserve the wreck. Artifacts which have been brought to the surface have been carefully preserved and plans to put them on display are in the works; one such item is a large brass disc which bears an inscription reading "Kad'yak" in Russian. This artifact positively identified the wreck and is believed to be the central hub of the ship's helm.
Thousands of ships were probably lost in Alaskan waters during the last few hundred years, although researchers only know the names of about two hundred of them. It was with intensive research and good use of available electronic equipment that Steve Lloyd managed to locate this wreck some distance from the site where others surmised it to rest - in addition, he spent more than an hour searching the bottom before discovering the wreck itself. At some point, the Kad'Yak wreck will probably be opened up to recreational divers - but only after scientists finish the demanding process of gently coaxing the ship to reveal her secrets.
Comments
Has anyone had the chance to dive this wreck?