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Alpha (November 1, 1999) Return to Reports A strong southeast gale was lashing the Strait of Georgia on 15 December 1900. The 220 foot iron screw steamer Alpha was bound for Union Bay to load coal for her trip to Japan. Built in 1863, the Alpha had a varied career. She arrived in BC in 1898 and was put to work ferrying freight and passengers to Alaska. The vessel's insurance was cancelled after running aground several times. In the hopes of making one last profitable run, the Alpha's owners loaded her up with 630 tons of dried dog salmon bound for Japan, intending to sell the vessel overseas. Realizing the unseaworthiness of the Alpha, half of the crew jumped ship in Victoria. When the Alpha struck Yellow Rock (now called Chrome Island) and sank, she took nine sailors with her. The UASBC has examined the Alpha in five expeditions between 1995-97. The wreck was videotaped, photographed, and mapped to record her current condition. She lies on a rock rubble bottom parallel to the cliffs and directly beneath the lighthouse on the south side of Chrome Island. The remains of the Alpha are spread over a 30 by 60 metre area in 15-20 feet of water. The lack of hull plating, engine, boiler, and other equipment on site reflect the numerous salvage attempts. She is a jumble of broken machinery, hull pieces, and fittings. At the bow, near the top of the map, is a large windlass, hawse pipe, and pile of anchor chain. An engine bedplate and a large winch mark the stern. Amidships is made up of disarticulated hull pieces, scattered frames, a mast cap, and mooring bitt. Three small artefacts were found during the survey: a porcelain doorknob, a brass check valve, and a small porcelain handled butter knife. The butter knife was raised, has undergone conservation treatment, and now resides in the UASBC's artefact collection. The other artefacts were left onsite where they were found. Resources Underwater Archaeological Society of British Columbia [back to top] Copyright 2004 Benthic Canada. All rights reserved. Click here for terms and conditions. Comments, questions, suggestions? Click here to send us feedback.