Sentinel Island, Alaska, USA
(William Howard Case / Frank G. Carpenter / Library of Congress)
The steamship Princess May was a Canadian coastal liner, which ran the 800 miles from Vancouver to Skagway in Alaska from May 1901. Demand for travel to Skagway had escalated rapidly with the Klondike Gold Rush. As well as voyaging to Skagway, the ship also serviced the multitude of small industrial communities along the route.
This picture shows the Princess May stranded on Sentinel Island, Alaska, on August 5, 1910. Under Captain Macleod, the ship had left Skagway in thick fog. Running onto rocks, the ship’s bulk provided enough momentum to force it up at a sharp angle. One hundred and forty-three people were on board; none were hurt. Also undamaged was the ship’s cargo of Klondike gold. The photo became very popular and was bought a great many times.
‘There was no panic when the Princess May struck the reef north of Sentinel Island this morning, but the women and children suffered much from cold in the small boats, the majority having left the sinking ship scantily clad.’
Los Angeles Herald, August 6, 1910
