On this date in 1925, onlookers along the coast of Huntington Beach could see a high and large plume of smoke and flames from a vessel, leading many to conclude that it must be an oil carrier. Steamers were to dispatched from San Pedro to offer aid, it was said, but they apparently played no part in the resolution of the disaster.
The “oil carrier” was actually a fishing boat, and the crew members had spent part of the morning attempting to extinguish a fire. When the flames grew too large, the crew steered towards the breakers of Seal Beach and beached the vessel. By this point, some of the crew had become overcome by smoke and were given respiratory treatment as soon as the boat hit shore.
– Michael Dobkins
Have you enjoyed this and other This Date in Seal Beach History posts?
If so, please consider making a small donation of a dollar or more to help defray the online subscriptions and other research costs that make this blog possible.
Donations can be made securely with most major credit cards directly through PayPal. Just click on paypal.me/MichaelDobkins to go to PayPal. Thank you.
This Date in Seal Beach History also has an online store hosted at Cafepress where you can order shirts, tote bags, stationery, and other gift items imprinted with vintage Seal Beach images. Visit the online store by clicking here.