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SS Islander

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description SS Islander Overview

The SS Islander was a Canadian passenger and freight steamer operated by the Canadian Pacific Navigation Company. On August 15, 1901, the vessel struck an iceberg and sank in the waters near Douglas Island, Alaska, resulting in significant loss of life. The ship was rumored to carry a substantial shipment of gold from the Klondike, which has prompted numerous salvage expeditions over the following decades. The wreck remains one of Alaska's most discussed maritime losses.

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When did the SS Islander sink?

The SS Islander sank on August 15, 1901, in Lynn Canal near Douglas Island, Alaska. The Canadian passenger and freight steamer had been traveling south after leaving the Alaska and Yukon region.

What caused the SS Islander to sink?

The vessel struck what contemporary accounts identified as an iceberg, opening its forward section to the sea. The ship flooded rapidly, and attempts to run it aground near Douglas Island failed.

Was the SS Islander carrying gold?

Yes. The vessel was reported to be carrying a large shipment of gold from the Klondike region, valued at more than 6 million dollars in 1901 currency. That cargo helped fuel later salvage attempts and legends about the wreck.

How many people died when the SS Islander sank?

The exact casualty figures vary among historical accounts, but the sinking caused substantial loss of life and left survivors. Contemporary lists record passengers and crew among those lost, while later accounts commonly describe roughly 40 deaths.

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