VERDICT: We gave 5 out of 5 tickets and here’s why!
This guide forms part of our complete USA Travel Guide, featuring scenic road trips, iconic destinations, practical travel advice and honest first-hand travel experiences from across the United States.
Day 1: Historic Bridges, Sea Lions & Astoria’s Waterfront ✅
Day 2: Haystack Rock, Puffins & Oregon’s Most Beautiful Beach ✅
Day 3: Shipwrecks, Cheese & Portland’s Weird Side ✅
Day 4: Volcanoes, Forests & The Mountain That Changed America ✅
Day 5: Small-Town Charm, Ferries & The Journey Home ✅
Explore the haunting remains of a four-masted sailing ship stranded on Oregon’s infamous “Graveyard of the Pacific
Here’s another super interesting site to visit while road tripping through Oregon… see if these clues will give it away:
What is a 4-masted steel barque sailing ship, 285 ft long?
Clue: it was built in 1890 in Maryport, England… any guesses?
Next hint: it was named after the owner who was from Liverpool… any idea?
Last chance: it was wrecked October 25, 1906…
Give up? It’s the ship the Peter Iredale, a large, square-rigged sailing vessel with four masts.
The Peter Iredale was sailing from Salina Cruz, Mexico to Portland, Oregon with ballast & a crew of 27.
In thick fog & strong west winds, the captain tried to enter the Columbia River mouth — aka the “Graveyard of the Pacific” — but a squall drove her onto Clatsop Spit near Fort Stevens.
Good news: No one died. A lifeboat from Hammond rescued the whole crew & they were taken to Fort Stevens, but the ship couldn’t be refloated. After weeks, she listed & got stuck in the sand, so she was sold for scrap.
Captain Lawrence’s last toast: “May God bless you, and may your bones bleach in the sands”
We visited it in Fort Stevens State Park near Warrenton, Oregon. The park hours are 6am-10pm daily. It’s a super easy .2 mile walk from the parking area & takes about 4 minutes.
What’s left: just the rusted bow, a few ribs, and masts sticking out of the sand.
The best time to go is during low tide, sunrise or sunset for really great photos.
We would call it haunting & mesmerizing – a symbol of the power of the sea. It’s one of the most accessible shipwrecks on the Oregon coast. If you would like to learn all about the history and see actual remains of the ship and artifacts, visit the Columbia River Marine Museum. It’s worth the time!
Know Before You Go
- Park Hours: Daily 6:00 am – 10:00 pm
- Admission: Oregon State Parks day-use fee may apply.
- Walk: Approximately 0.2 miles (320 metres) from the parking lot (about 4 minutes).
- Accessibility: Mostly flat sandy trail.
- Best Time: Low tide provides the best views and easiest beach access.
- Best Photography: Sunrise, sunset and dramatic stormy skies.
Location
Fort Stevens State Park
100 Peter Iredale Road
Warrenton, Oregon 97146
Driving Distances
- From Astoria: 16 km (10 miles) — approximately 20 minutes
- From Portland: 174 km (108 miles) — approximately 2 hours 15 minutes
10 Famous Oregon Coast Shipwrecks
| Shipwreck | Location |
|---|---|
| Peter Iredale (1906) | Fort Stevens State Park, Warrenton |
| Emily G. Reed (1908) | Nehalem Spit |
| Glenesslin (1913) | Clatsop Spit near Fort Stevens |
| Admiral Benson (1942) | Near Peacock Spit |
| Great Republic (1879) | Columbia River Bar |
| Czarina (1888) | Nehalem Bay |
| Santo Cristo de Burgos (1693) | Near Nehalem (legendary “Beeswax Wreck”) |
| Fortuna (1878) | Columbia River entrance |
| Vandalia (1853) | Columbia River Bar |
| Pacific (1875) | Off Cape Disappointment / Columbia entrance |
The waters surrounding the Columbia River entrance have claimed well over 2,000 vessels, earning the area its legendary nickname, “The Graveyard of the Pacific.”
Continue Exploring Portland and Oregon
- Amazing Oregon Coast Wildlife
- Seaside, Oregon
- Astoria River Walk
- Nordic Park and Trolls
- Largest Bookstore in the World
Nearby Attractions
- The Astoria Column
- Haystack Rock
- Cannon Beach
- Cape Meares Lighthouse
- Columbia River Maritime Museum
- Tillamook Creamery – Best Cheddar Cheese
Planning Your Trip?
Before you go, don’t forget to book the essentials:
- 🏨 Hotels & unique stays
- 🚗 Rental cars
- 🎟️ Top-rated tours & attractions
- 📶 eSIMs for easy connectivity
- 🛡️ Travel insurance
- 🎒 Packing Lists
- 🎒 Travel gear from The Venturio
With every trip, we offer feedback to travel companies along with honest views for you, the reader. We rate adventures on a scale of one to five tickets, judged on quality, service, memorability, and price. A perfect ‘Ticket Rating’ of a five-ticket score means the experience was flawless and we’d eagerly return. Your desire to go back is the ultimate measure of a trip’s worth. Exclusive to My Return Ticket.
