LAistory: The Wreck of the Dominator

LAistory takes us on a journey to what came before to help us understand where we are today. So far we've been to Val Verde, Thelma Todd's Roadside Cafe, a house in Beverly Hills, Echo Park's Bonnie Brae House, Marineland of the Pacific, and Grand Central Air Terminal, Wrigley Field, and the moment LA got its name.

The lobsters caught off of Palos Verdes have always been known for their delicate flavor. The reason they were so delicious, is that like prized cattle, these lobsters were grain-fed. For years, crustaceans in Lunada Bay lived off of the wheat from a sunken Greek freighter, The Dominator.

The Dominator ran aground on March 13, 1961 at the point between Lunada Bay and Malaga Cove, near Rocky Point. Carrying a load of wheat and beef from Vancouver, B.C, the vessel was trapped by the current after coming too close to the cliffs.

Local sailors believe that heavy fog prevented the crew from seeing the point that jutted out between them and their only beacon, the San Vincente lighthouse. The bay may have given the false impression that they were further out to sea. Others believe the crew was under the mistaken impression they had already arrived in the Los Angeles Harbor, and were attempting to turn into the harbor when they ran aground.

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In The Last Voyage of the SS Dominator, JE Hardison tells the tale thusly:

The Coast Guard and tugboats were unable to pull the ship off of the reef. Finally, after two days, the crew of 35 abandoned ship (other reports number the crew at 29). Surf pounded relentlessly at the 441' freighter, driving it into the rocks.

Days later, a group of seven to fifteen young men had to be rescued after swimming out to board the ship. The LA Times is quoted as saying it was partly thrill-seeking, and partly the misconception that they could take possession of the ship. Concerned about being stranded on the boat after dark, the men jumped back into the sea and became trapped in a vicious riptide, where they suffered cuts and bruises.

In The Last Voyage of the Dominator, salvager JE Hardison tells the detailed story of the salvage operation, and the conflict between himself (who had purchased rights to the ship) and the people who had purchased rights to the cargo.

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Residents have watched over the years as the sea slowly destroyed the wreckage, until finally just a few bits of the hull and bow remain scattered on the shore. More of the boat is visible at low tide.

There are two routes by which to access the wreckage today. Experienced hikers and climbers can make their way down the steep cliffs, but must be cautious of the rocky terrain. It is recommended you go at low tide, be prepared to get wet, and keep an eye out for interesting tide pools.

"The nearest access point is the park along the cove to the south. A different trailhead down to the beach leading to the site begins about 2 miles north along the coast on Paseo Del Mar between Via Horcada and Via Almar in Palos Verdes Estates, California." The Daily Breeze gives the address as 31550 Palos Verdes Drive West, Rancho Palos Verdes. Detailed hiking directions.

Boats passing by can still barely make out a few shards of metal. You can anchor your boat and take a kayak or dinghy to the wreckage -- there does not appear to be dangerous shards that could pierce a small vessel. But you never know. Surfers in the area are notoriously territorial, so surf at your own risk.

You can also snorkel or dive the wreck, but only in calm conditions. The sea churns up a lot of sand, and there is a lot of kelp in the area, so visibility is not the best. Diver and shipwreck afficionado Phil Bergeron, told the LA Times, "...a diver can actually go inside and be enclosed within part of the wreck, You're actually down in what they would call the bilge area, the bowels of the ship."

From Lakata.org and www.cawreckdivers.com:

Rig/Type:WWII Liberty Ship (Freighter)
Cause of Sinking: Stranding
Length: 441'
Breadth: 57'
Tons: 7,176
Cargo: Wheat and beef
Location: Rocky Point, Palos Verdes
Coordinates of Wreck: 33°46′26″N, 118°25′42″W

References:

Thompson, Glen (local sailor), Interview
Thompson, Janine (Commadore, King Harbor Yacht Club), Interview

www.lakata.org

www.wikipedia.org

www.localhikes.com

Wreck Diving, from the LA Times

www.cawreckdivers.org

www.maureenmegowen.com

"Ship Aground off Palos Verdes" Los Angeles Times, Mar 14, 1961

"Ship on Rocks Defies Efforts to Free Her" Los Angeles Times, March 15, 1961

"Thrill-seekers Saved after Boarding Hulk" Los Angeles Times Mar 17, 1961

"To find South Bay's strange landmarks, head down to the sea"
Daily Breeze. Torrance, Calif.: Apr 7, 2006. p. B.1

Daily Breeze printout courtesy of lakota.org, dive shots and video courtesy of cawreckdivers.com

Special thanks to Incarnate for recent shots of the wreckage