Bechers Bay, Santa Rosa Island

Rare aerial of Bechers Bay without a pier,
September 1, 2009

Becher's Bay, Santa Rosa Island
Photo by Marla Daily

Main Ranch, Bechers Bay. August 1965

Bechers Bay, Santa Rosa Island (Becher’s Bay, Beecher’s Bay, Beecher’s Cove, Beacher’s Cove, More’s Harbor, More’s Landing), is the main point of entry to the island.

• 1871-1872 the place name More’s Landing is on a survey map by the U. S. Coast Survey;
• 1873 the place name Northwest Anchorage is on a map by Stehman Forney;

The place name Becher's Bay appears on the June 1882 U.S. Coast Survey map Pacific Coast from Santa Monica to Point Conception, including the Santa Barbara Channel, California, J.E. Hilgard, Superintendent.

This place name appears as Beechers Bay on the Santa Rosa Island East topographic map. Vessels lost at Bechers Bay include: Ella G (1908).

• 1871-1872 More’s Landing on a map of survey by the U. S. Coast Survey;
• 1873 Northwest Anchorage on a map by Stehman Forney;

In the News~

July 19, 1877 [SBDP]: “This morning as the U.S. Coast Survey steamer, McArthur, was steaming from her late anchorage in Beecher’s Bay, Santa Rosa Island, toward the coast, a large turtle was descried just astern of the ship, lying in the water, breast upwards. It was apparently disabled, as was then supposed, by the ship’s propeller… It was the largest specimen ever seen by anyone on board, weighing in the neighborhood of seven hundred pounds… It was a female of the hawksbill species…”

May 1, 1886 [SBDP]: “The work of rebuilding the wharf at Santa Rosa Island, which was washed away during the past winter, has been somewhat checked by a lodged drill. The beach where the wharf is being constructed is said to be a solid bed of rock, and a hole has to be drilled for the reception of each pile. It was while at this work that the drill became disabled. The schooner Santa Rosa, which arrived in port yesterday morning, is awaiting the arrival from San Francisco of another drill, which has been shipped there to be sharpened.”

May 7, 1886 [SBDP]: “Captain Burtis of the schooner Santa Rosa reports that work on the new wharf at the island is being prosecuted again, the lodged drill having been extracted and sent to San Francisco to be sharpened. The beach where the wharf is being built is a solid bed of sandstone and consequently slow progress is made. The structure is about half completed.”

March 27, 1889 [SBMP]: “The late storm washed away a portion of the wharf at Santa Rosa Island. The schooner Glenn and a crew of men are now at the island making repairs.”

August 25, 1889 [LAT]: “Wonders of the sea. What the Albatross found in the Pacific. Lieutenant Commander Tanner of the navy has made an interesting report to the Fish Commission of the work of the Albatross… Rich hauls were made at Beecher Bay in about 270 fathoms of water…” [also WP August 26, 1889].

March 27, 1889 [SBMP]: “The late storm washed away a portion of the wharf at Santa Rosa Island. The schooner Glenn and a crew of men are now at the island making repairs.”

September 14, 1892 [SRU]: “Santa Barbara, September 13. British ship wrecked. The British ship Goldenhorn went ashore off the south end of Santa Rosa Island at 8 o’clock last night. The crew of twenty-eight were saved. The vessel is probably a complete wreck. She was seventy-two days out from Newcastle, N.S.W., and was loaded with coal for San Pedro. The officers and crew arrived here at 6 o’clock last evening. Captain Dunn, master of the vessel, was seen and gives the following particulars of the wreck: ’We were sailing through a heavy fog, when the lookout reported, Land ahead! Every effort was made to get out of the place, but the wind seemed to lull, and before the ship would answer the helm the bow struck the bottom. Finding it would be impossible to get her off as the vessel aft was sinking rapidly, the men put to the small boats. When they left her she was completely gutted aft. And a heavy sea was breaking over her. In the darkness the coast was not discernible, but was seemingly rocky.’ If the weather continues fair, it is possible to save some of the contents. Nothing was saved by the men, they barely escaping with their lives. Some had no coats, and others were hatless and shoeless. In this condition in small boats they followed the coastline until they effected a landing at 5 o’clock this morning at Beacher’s Cove. This part of the island is uninhabited, and at 8 o’clock the party left in their boats for the mainland, where they arrived after they had been over twenty hours with scarcely any food, and having rowed the boats probably over fifty miles. The Goldenhorn was a three-masted ship of 1800 tons register and was owned by James R. Dewolf & Son of Liverpool. She sailed from Newcastle, N.S.W. July 30th, with 2800 tons of coal consigned to the Southern Pacific Railroad Company at San Pedro.”

November 7, 1899 [SBMP]: “The schooner Santa Rosa arrived Sunday morning from Santa Rosa with the mail and ten sheep shearers and vaqueros. They report that the island wharf suffered considerably by the heavy sea and high breakers of several days ago. It was the heaviest surf that has been experienced on the island for several years. The planking of the wharf for a considerable distance was carried away.”

March 31, 1900 [SBDI]: “The schooner Restless returned last night from Santa Rosa Island with the men who went over some time ago to repair the wharf there.”

November 3, 1906 [LAT]: “News reached this port today, through the captain of the sloop Fawn, of San Pedro, a vessel that has been engaged in the crawfish industry on Santa Cruz Island, that, when passing Santa Rosa Island, which is about forty miles to sea from this port, he noticed that the 200-foot wharf of Santa Rosa Island Company had been destroyed. During the early part of the present week, a nor’easter was blowing in the channel near the islands, and it is believed the wharf was destroyed at that time. The gasoline launch of Frank Pepper, superintendent of the island, was not visible, and it is believed by the captain of the Fawn that she probably broke from her moorings and was sunk by the blow. As the sea was running high at the time the Fawn was near Santa Rosa, it was not deemed advisable to try to effect a landing and make inquiries. Santa Rosa Island is owned by Vail & Vickers of Los Angeles, and is stocked with horses and sheep. It is believed that a dozen workmen are employed on the island. No word has been received in this city from the island since last week. A rescue party will leave this city this afternoon, to render any assistance that may be needed. It is not yet known whether any lives were lost.”

February 13, 1908 [SBMP]: “The 17 ton sealing craft [Ella G] driven 250 miles through turbulent seas without a rudder, finally to dash to pieces on the rocks off Bechers Bay. Shipwrecked crew brought here [Santa Barbara] by the Baltic.” The Baltic rescued survivors at a fish camp on Santa Cruz Island who had been shipwrecked on the Ella G that sank at Bechers Bay on Santa Rosa Island.

March 2, 1910 [SBMP]: “Early this forenoon the cruisers California, Colorado, Maryland, Pennsylvania, South Dakota and West Virginia will arrive in Santa Barbara... It was understood at first that the six sea dogs would go at once to Beecher’s Cove on the east end of Santa Rosa Island and there take up the rendezvous for the practice...”

March 3, 1910 [LAT/SB]: “Six cruisers are anchored off Santa Barbara. The Pacific Fleet of six cruisers, commanded by Read Admiral Harbor, arrived here today for a month’s target practice. The gray grayhounds anchored 1000 yards off the Potter [Hotel] at 3 P.M. They will remain in port until Monday, and will then steam to sea for target practice, making their headquarters at Beecher’s Cove, between Santa Rosa and Santa Cruz islands. The fleet will return to port and spend the end of each week at its present anchorage, steaming seaward for work Monday. This will continue until the end of March, when the vessels will go north…”

March 10, 1910 [SBMP]: “Information has been received via the Potter wireless, that the California, Pennsylvania, Colorado and Maryland, the four armored cruisers, are lying peacefully off Beecher’s Cove in the Santa Cruz passage...”

March 12, 1910 [SBMP]: “...The U.S.S. Maryland anchored off Skunk Point on the southeast end of Santa Rosa Island, the California off Frazier Point on the northwest extremity of Santa Cruz [Island], while the Pennsylvania and Colorado had anchorage in Beecher’s Cove...”

March 16, 1910 [SBMP]: “Cruising ships plainly seen from shore... The other four with the supply ship Glacier made their anchorage at Beecher’s Cove last night...”

April 10, 1910 [LAT]: “The flagship Whipple and other vessels of the torpedo-boat flotilla now engaged at gun practice in the outer harbor will leave Monday for Santa [Rosa] Island. The vessels will engage in practice and maneuvers around the Channel Islands until May 1, when they will return to this port.”

April 13, 1910 [LAH]: “San Pedro. April 12. The United States ship Whipple, Lieutenant Church commanding, and the torpedo boat destroyers Truxton, Hull, Perry, Prebel, Paul Jones, Stewart, Lawrence, Goldsborough and Rowan have completed gun practice in the outer harbor, and will sail tomorrow morning for Santa [Rosa] Island.”

April 14, 1910 [SFCall]: “Los Angeles. Sailed. United States steamers Truxton, Hull, Perry, Prebel, Paul Jones, Stewart, Lawrence, Goldsborough, Rowan and Whipple for Santa [Rosa] Island, to continue gun practice.”

April 14, 1910 [SBI]: “Pacific torpedo flotilla at Beecher’s Cove…”

April 15, 1910 [SBI]: “The torpedo boat destroyer Truxton came over from Santa Rosa Island this afternoon and anchored near the commercial wharf to get supplies for the flotilla of 10 boats now at Beecher’s Cove, Santa Rosa Island. The Truxton will remain here until 10 o’clock tomorrow morning. Several of her sailors came ashore.”

April 16, 1910 [SBMP]: “The torpedo boat destroyer Truxton arrived here at 3 o’clock yesterday afternoon from Beecher’s Cove, Santa Rosa Island, for supplies...”

April 23, 1910 [LAH]: “San Pedro. April 22. Arrived. Flagship Whipple and the U.S. torpedo boat destroyers Perry, Preble, Truxton, Stewart, Lawrence, Goldsborough, Paul Jones and Hull, from Beecher’s Cove, Santa [Rosa] Island, for coal and provisions. Will remain until Monday, then returning to Santa [Rosa] Island to resume gun practice.”

April 29, 1910 [LAH]: “The torpedo boat flotilla returned today from Beecher’s Bay on Santa Rosa Island and proceeded to Avalon. The ten boats were followed by the collier Iris and the tug Navajo towing the targets that were to have been used in the record gun practice. On account of the heavy swell in the Santa Barbara channel the range there was abandoned and the practice will be held off Catalina Island where the waters are quiet.”

May 1, 1910 [LAH]: “Sailed. Torpedo boat destroyers Perry, Preble, Paul Jones and Stewart, for Beecher’s Cove, Santa [Rosa] Island, to resume target practice; the Lawrence, Goldsborough, Truxton, Hull, Rowan and Whipple will follow tomorrow.”

May 2, 1910 [LAH]: “The torpedo boats Lawrence, Rowan, Whipple and Goldsborough sailed today to join the other boats of the flotilla at target practice in Beecher’s Bay, Santa Rosa Island.”

May 6, 1910 [LAH]: “San Pedro. May 5. Arrived. Torpedo boat destroyers Whipple, Truxton, Hull, Perry, Prebel, Paul Jones, Stewart, Lawrence, Goldsborough and Rowan from Beecher’s Cove, Santa [Rosa] Island.”

May 6, 1910 [LAH]: “The torpedo flotilla is having hard luck in finding a suitable place for practice. This morning the entire flotilla of ten boats, with the collier Justin and the tug Navajo towing target, returned from Beecher’s Bay, on Santa Rosa Island, after two unsuccessful trips and many days’ delay waiting for smooth weather. The swell in the Santa Barbara channel is so heavy that it is not safe for small boats required to tend the targets.”

September 4, 1910 [SBMP]: “The Santa Rosa Island power schooner was in port yesterday loading piles for repairs to the wharf at the island’s port, Beechers Cove. Frank Pepper, manager of the island, was a passenger on the boat.”

September 24, 1910 [LAH]: “San Diego, September 23. Under orders to sail for San Pedro and Beecher’s Bay, Santa Rosa Island, late next week, the officers of the Pacific torpedo flotilla are busily engaged in getting the little ships ready for sea...”

October 5, 1910 [SBMP]: “Six vessels will make their headquarters at Beechers Bay during October for annual drill and maneuvers. Cruisers come during the following month. Supplies will be purchased from Santa Barbara where one or more of the ships will call frequently. The torpedo flotilla leaves San Pedro today for Beechers Bay on the east end of Santa Rosa Island for a month of target practice and maneuvers. There are six boats in the fleet: the Paul Jones, Preble, Stewart, Truxton, Goldsborough and Pery… Last year when the fleet was at Beechers, there was one or more of the vessels in Santa Barbara harbor every two or three days…”

October 6, 1910 [SBI]: “Sic low, rakish, black-hulled craft comprising the torpedo boat flotilla that left San Pedro Tuesday are harbored at Santa Rosa Island today. They will spend some days in the Santa Barbara channel in war practice, preceding the coming of the first and second divisions of the Pacific fleet in November. The visitors are the Stewart, Paul Jones, Truxton, Preble, Goldsborough and Perry. They are harboring in Beecher’s Bay. The Stewart will arrive here Monday morning next to take supplies from the Dardi Farioli company, which has a contract with the government.”

October 10, 1910 [SBMP]: “Reports from Beechers Bay state that men from the eight destroyers now anchored off that port are ashore nearly every day playing baseball and engaging in other terra firma sports. Beechers Bay is the main harbor for Santa Rosa Island where the Island Company’s wharf is located. The ranch house is close at hand.”

October 17, 1910 [SBI]: “Three big cruisers, California, Colorado and Pennsylvania, under command of Rear Admiral Giles B. Harber, steamed north through the Santa Barbara Channel yesterday afternoon. The war dogs were far out on the channel but well in sight of shore. They were plainly seen and recognized through many glasses in this city. These great war ships, comprising the first division of the Pacific fleet, sailed from Chimbote, Peru, October 3, for San Francisco. They were due in the northern waters October 20.”

October 22, 1910 [SBI]: “The torpedo boat destroyer, Stewart, Lieutenant Lightie in command, which came into port Friday afternoon, steamed out this morning to join the flotilla at Beecher’s Bay, Santa Rosa Island. It is expected that the whole flotilla will leave for San Pedro not later than Tuesday next.”

November 15, 1910 [SBMP]: “The Santa Rosa Island power schooner started for Beechers Bay yesterday with a cargo of cattle, but was forced to put back. A northwest wind sweeping down the channel made the voyage unsafe with livestock aboard.”

November 30, 1910 [SBMP]: “The power schooner Santa Rosa Island had a strenuous time yesterday attempting to land 200 Arizona cattle at Becher’s Bay on the island. The schooner finally put back to Santa Barbara after battling all day with the elements, and unloaded the cargo at the wharf in order to give the animals feed and water... There will be no further attempts at cattle transportation across the channel until the outside weather moderates.”

December 1, 1910 [LAT/SB]: “With 200 Arizona cattle aboard, the power schooner Santa Rosa Island, had a strenuous time yesterday attempting to land at Beecher’s Bay on the island. After several hours it was finally decided to give up, and the boat returned to Santa Barbara. A stiff northwester was blowing and there was a tremendous ground swell. The vessel reached the bay without much trouble, but its difficulties were insurmountable when it attempted tie up to the island wharf. Two hawsers were parted and the boat was nearly capsized several times. Fearing that the valuable cargo might be dumped overboard, the boat returned to the mainland. Every year several hundred cattle are taken from Arizona to the island where they are fattened for the market.”

March 30, 1911 [WP]: “Los Angeles. F. M. Heil, a second-class fireman on the destroyer Stewart, was accidentally shot and killed today [March 29] during a target practice at Beechers Bay, Santa Rosa Island. Heil stepped in front of a .30 caliber rifle, just as the gunner pulled the trigger. The bullet struck Heil in the forehead. Heil was 24 years old, and had been in the service seven years. His father lives in Dallas, Texas.”

April 16, 1911 [SBMP]: “A Summer Cruise in the Sunset Sea... it was thought better to make headquarters in Bechers Bay on Santa Rosa Island, five miles across the passage from Santa Cruz Island; Mr. White having been invited by his friend, the manager of the island, to camp near the ranch house, and to use the company's horses in trips through the interior. Here a delightful week was spent...”

May 31, 1915 [SBMP]: “The power schooner Santa Rosa arrived in port last night from Beechers Bay, Santa Rosa Island.”

November 14, 1915 [SBMP]: “A crew of men is at work driving piles at the dock at Beecher’s Bay, Santa Rosa Island, the location of Vail & Vickers’ principal station on the island.”

May 3, 1918 [OC]: “The Vaquero came in on Sunday to get a crew of men and eucalyptus piles to go over to Santa Rosa Island to put in a wharf for the Santa Rosa Island company. The wharf is to be used to ship sheep and cattle. Those who went over were Charles Perdu in charge of the crew, D. L. Johnson, Emil Barsot, John Carter and Elmer Morrison. A drill is to be used to drill in the rock and then it is to be dynamited so as to put the piles in.”

October 4, 1928 [LAT]: “Survey by the Navy minesweepers Kingfisher and Brant, has failed to reveal any trace of the seven and three-quarters fathom shelf shown on the charts about one and a quarter miles southeastward of Carrington point, Bechers Bay, Santa Rosa Island. The shoal will be expunged from the charts, it is announced by the Hydrographic Office.”

April 7, 1930 [LAT]: “Island oil hunt due soon… Santa Rosa is considerably different in character from Santa Cruz. There are other smaller anticlines on the north half of the island, and, in addition, it is significant that the shallow waters of Becher’s Bay apparently cover several worthwhile prospecting areas…”

August 15, 1949 [LAT]: “Big TNT blasts planned in Navy seismic study. Seismic survey operations scheduled by the United States Navy off Bechers Bay, Santa Rosa Island, may rock the mainland in the vicinity of Santa Barbara and Ventura next week. Notice of plans to detonate very large charges of TNT, with “resulting heavy explosions” was issued yesterday by United Stated Coast Guard headquarters at Long Beach… A number of Navy vessels be engaged in the operations and all mariners are warned by the Coast Guard to keep well clear of the area…”

October 6, 1952 [LAT]: “Coast Guard saves three on sinking boat near Catalina… Meanwhile another Coast Guard cuter stood by all during the night ready to assist the luxury cruiser White Star, owned by Gilbert Van Camp, Jr. of the packing firm family, which ran aground Saturday at Beecher’s Bay on Santa Rosa Island.”

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