# Appendix D

Cultural Resources

August 2012Appendix D, Yaquina Bay ODMDS Evaluation/EA 

## Appendix D
Cultural Resources

Table of Contents

Introduction .................................................................................................................. ................. D-1
Prehistoric Potential ......................................................................................................... ............. D-1
Historic Period ............................................................................................................... ............... D-3 Shipwrecks of the Coastal Trade ............................................................................................... D-3 Shipwrecks in the Yaqui na Bay Area ....................................................................................... D-3 Potential for Recovery of Shipwrecks ....................................................................................... D- 3
Conclusions ................................................................................................................... ................ D-6
References .................................................................................................................... ................. D-7

LIST OF FIGURES AND TABLES

Figure D-1. Yaquina Bay North and South Ocean Disposal Sites ............................................... D-2 Figure D-2. Map of Wrecks and Obstructi ons from Multipurpose Marine Cadastre .................. D-5

Table D-1. Documented Shipwreck s in the Yaquina Bay Area ................................................... D-4 Table D-2. Other Shipwrecks in the Yaquina Bay Area .............................................................. D-5Appendix D, Yaquina Bay ODMDS Evaluation/EA D-1 

## Appendix D
Cultural Resources

Introduction

This appendix evaluates the cultural resource pot ential at the Yaquina North and South ocean disposal sites on the central Oregon coast. The study area was set as an arc transcribed 4.5 nautical miles out from the entrance to Yaquina Ba y and ends both north and south at the beach (Figure D-1). The action is the final designation of the two ocean dredged material disposal sites (ODMDS) located offshore of Yaquina Bay. The North ODMDS is located about 2 nautical miles west of Newport and the entrance to Yaquina Bay. The South ODMDS is located about 2.7 nautical miles southwest of the bay’s entrance. Both ocean disposal sites are 4,000 feet wide by 6,500 feet long, about 597 acres, and their depths range from about 112 to 152 feet.

The Yaquina ocean disposal sites have the follo wing corner coordinates [North American Datum (NAD 83)]:

North ODMDS 44° 38’ 17.98” N, 124° 07’ 25.95” W 44° 38’ 12.86” N, 124° 06’ 31.10” W 44° 37’ 14.33” N, 124° 07’ 37.57” W 44° 37’ 09.22” N, 124° 06’ 42.73” W

South ODMDS 44° 36’ 04.50” N, 124° 07’ 52.66” W 44° 35’ 59.39” N, 124° 06’ 57.84” W 44° 35’ 00.85” N, 124° 08’ 04.27” W 44° 34’ 55.75” N, 124° 07’ 09.47” W



## Prehistoric Potential

The probability of substa ntial prehistoric cultural resources within the vicinity of Yaquina Bay is very low. It is possible that prehistoric Nativ e Americans may have used portions of the area, such as the Yaquina south reefs, as an offshore fishery. Evidence suggesting this activity is present at sites along the Oregon coast. For exam ple, the remains of small numbers of fish favoring reef type habitats, such as lingcod, cabaz on and black rockfish, have been recovered in middens at Netarts, Seal Rock (1, 2) an d Cape Perpetua (Ruth Greenspand, personal communication). The subsistence value of these reef fish is uncertain as these middens were dominated by a faunal assemblage composed primarily of rock mollusks, seals, sea lions and land mammal bones. However, the comp aratively small numbers of reef fish bones offers little support for an intensive prehistoric offshore fishery. Th e literature does indicate the importance of estuary resources, such as crab, oyster, and flounder for local ethnographical known Native Americans (4, 5); for comparison with the Coos Bay Native Americans, see Simons (6).Appendix D, Yaquina Bay ODMDS Evaluation/EA D-2 Figure D-1. Yaquina Bay North and South Ocean Disposal SitesAppendix D, Yaquina Bay ODMDS Evaluation/EA D-3 Even in an area where a maritime fishery is s uggested, the likelihood of recovering procurement technology from the project area is minimal. For example, artifacts analyzed as part of a fishing technology were identified at the Par-Tee site in Seaside, Oregon. Implements included eyed fish hook, hook barbs, and perforated stone disc (fishing weights). However, the setting in which these implements were used is not clear, as the faunal an alysis refers only to fish remains not to species (7). Therefore, designation of the proposed Ya quina ocean disposal sites should not affect any significant prehistoric cultural resources.



## Historic Period

A review of the history in the vicinity of Yaqui na Bay shows that shipwrecks and their remnants exist within the project area. In general, th e majority of documented shipwrecks occurred from 1849-1895 (7, 8). This period covers the estab lishment and closure of the Siletz Indian Reservation, early Euro-American settlement, initiation of the local export economy, and the construction of jetties and other na vigation improvements by the Corps of Engineers (5, 8, 9, 10). It is also possible that wrecks of earlier periods, for example vessels engaged in coastal exploration and the fur trade, may appear within the project area. In addition, numerous Chinese junks (ships) and Japanese boats have drifted fro m the Asian mainland and washed ashore on the
Pacific Northwest coast.



### Shipwrecks of the Coastal Trade

During the 1849-1895 period, schooners and bark s engaged in the coastal trade transported supplies for coastal settlements and their respec tive export products. Typically, these vessels operated in harbors too shallow for deeper draft vessels or where the amount of goods or export products did not justify the use of larger vessels. At first, the vessels carrying these goods depended on sail power. Later de velopments included supplementing the sail with steam, steam powered vessels, and the use of steam powered tugs to tow sailing vessels from harbors into the ocean shipping lanes. Ships powered by sa il operated along the coast through the 1920s.



### Shipwrecks in the Yaquina Bay Area

Table D-1 lists the shipwrecks that have occurred in the Yaquina Bay area. The table includes the name of the vessel, mode of power, cargo, date of wreck, location of wreck, the final location of wreck, and source(s) of information. In add ition, NOAA Office of Coast Survey has documented five shipwrecks in the nearshore area of Yaquina Bay (Figure D-2). There are references to other vessels said to have wrecked in the vicinity of Yaquina Bay (Table D-2). These wrecks were not included in Table D-1 because there were problem s concerning the reliability of the information (quality of the reference), or lack of pertinen t location information or name of vessel. These wrecks are mentioned, however, because they do indicate the possibility of undocumented wrecks within the Yaquina area.



### Potential for Recovery of Shipwrecks

The most likely area for documenting remnants of coasting vessels is South Beach. This assumption is supported by the pattern of wrecks deposited on South Beach by the local Yaquina Bay currents. Of the seven vessels wrecked at the bar, five are reported to have been carried to South Beach by inshore currents (two vessels were towed to this location). This suggests that other vessels not documented by the literature search (especially those earlier than 1850) may be present on the beach.Appendix D, Yaquina Bay ODMDS Evaluation/EA D-4 Table D-1. Documented Shipwrecks in the Yaquina Bay Area

Date of Shipwreck Name (type) Cargo Location of Wreck (Fate of Wreck) References

Mar. 1849 (1852) JULIET Oysters Yaquina Bay (drifted to South Beach, wreck burned) (13) Wright 1895:43 (14) Gibbs 1957:275

Nov. 25, 1853 JOSEPH WARREN (Bark) Oysters Beached short distance south of Yaquina Bay (13) Wright 1895:50 (14) Gibbs 1957:276

Mar. 11, 1862 [LARRY] DOYLE (Schooner) Oysters Yaquina Bay (13) Wright 1895:144 (8) Fagan 1885:482

Oct. 13, 1864 (Oct. 19, 1864 Gibbs) CORNELIA TERRY (Schooner) Oysters Yaquina Bay (13) Wright 1895:130 (14) Gibbs 1957:277 (5) Beckham 1977:160

Mar. 11, 1865 [ANNA] DOYLE (Schooner) Yaquina Bay Bar (13) Wright 1895:144 (14) Gibbs 1957:277 (15) Fogarty 1980:67

Feb. 16, 1865 (1876 Fagan) LIZZIE (Schooner) Oysters
Hides Yaquina Bay Bar (South Beach) (13) Wright 1895:246 (8) Fagan 1885:482 (16) Hays 1976:64 (15) Fogarty 1980:67

Apr. 5, 1874 CAROLINE
MEDEAU (Schooner) Oysters Yaquina Bay Bar (South Beach, salvaged) (13) Wright 1895:246 (8) Fagan 1885:482 (14) Gibbs 1957:279 (15) Fogarty 1980:67

Sept. 26, 1874 ONA (Steam Schooner) Yaquina Bay North Spit (grounded on South Beach) (17) Powell 1884:2266 (13) Wright 1895:314 (14) Gibbs 1957:279 (15) Fogarty 1980:67

Dec. 4, 1887 YAQUINA CITY (Steamship) Yaquina Bay (beached on South Beach) (13) Wright 1895:350 (12) Holcombe 1893(4):3363 Annual Report of the Chief of Engineers 1900(5):4299 (14) Gibbs 1957:282 (15) Fogarty 1980:68

Dec. 19 (Dec. 9, 1888 Gibbs) YAQUINA BAY (Steam Schooner) Wrecked on south jetty (vessel towed and beached on South Beach) (13) Wright 1895:360 (18) Hyell 1891:3193 (12) Holcombe 1893(4):3363 (14) Gibbs 1957:282 (15) Fogarty 1980:68

Dec. 8, 1891 MAGGIE ROSS (Steamship) Lumber Off Oregon Coast (wreck towed to Yaquina Bay) (13) Wright 1895:394 (14) Gibbs 1957:283

Dec. 11 GENERAL

BUTLER (Bark) Lumber 100 miles SW Cape Argo, parts of hull drifted into Yaquina and took out 80 feet of south jetty. (13) Wright 1895:394 (14) Gibbs 1957:283Appendix D, Yaquina Bay ODMDS Evaluation/EA D-5 Figure D-2. Map of Wrecks and Obstruc tions from Multipurpose Marine Cadastre

See http://www.mar inecadastre.gov . Data is from NOAA Office of Coast Survey ( http://www.nauticalcharts.noaa. gov/hsd/AWOIS_download.html ).

Table D-2. Other Shipwrecks in the Yaquina Bay Area

Date of Shipwreck Name (type) Cargo Location of Wreck (Fate of Wreck) References

Early 1849 Unknown Chinese silk - cargo salvaged by Indians
and settlers Yaquina vicinity (19) Dye 1941:227

Late 1873 John Hunter Unknown Yaquina (wrecked on beach) (8) Fagan 1885:482

Dec. 1892 Unknown Unknown Capsized derelict vessel drifted into Yaquina Bay between jetties - took out portions of construction tramway. Annual Report of Chief of Engineers 1892(3):2699

Nov. 24, 1904 Quickstep (barquentine) Unknown Unknown (19) Marshall 1984

Jan. 1, 1912 Pilgram (sloop) Unknown Unknown (19) Marshall 1984

Feb. 20, 1935 Yaquina (US Coast Guard patrol boat) N/A Lost while attempting to aid the crew of a barge caught on Yaquina Bar. (19) Marshall 1984

Feb. 26, 1935 Parker #2 (dredge) N/A Unknown (19) Marshall 1984 Sept. 13, 1945 Dorothy Joan Unknown Unknown (19) Marshall 1984 Dec. 11, 1946 Etta Kay (schooner) Unknown Unknown (19) Marshall 1984

Apr. 22 1948 John Aspin (cargo ship) Unknown As of 1986, portions of hull
still visible at low tide. (19) Marshall 1984

Jun. 25, 1953 Captain Ludvig Unknown Unknown (19) Marshall 1984

Nov. 19, 1983 Blue Magpie (cargo ship) Unknown Unknown (19) Marshall 1984Appendix D, Yaquina Bay ODMDS Evaluation/EA D-6 Survival of these vessels on the beach is a nother important problem. Wrecked vessels were frequently burned in order to recover scrap metal or salvaged for their useful materials. For instance, the schooner JULIET is reported to have been burned. Burned vessel sites may be relocated by magnetometer surveys.

In general, the exact locations of beached vessel s are not recorded. However, at Yaquina, the location of the wreck of the steamship YAQUINA BAY was noted in the Annual Reports to the Chief of Engineers. Assistant Engineer Holcom be used the location of the wreck as a bearing point, while commenting on the rate of sand accreti on behind the south jetty (12). This site may
be relocated based on this information.

Although the pattern of wreck locations sugg ests that ocean currents deposit wrecks on South Beach, it is also possible that wrecks are still pr esent on the ocean floor. The likelihood of this event is dependent on a number of variables such as type of material the vessel is constructed of and its cargo (wood vessels will drift farther than st eel, depending on the degree of hull damage). One shipwreck on Yaquina reef, the JOSEPH ASPED AL, was a concrete barge sunk in the 1940s. Another factor, environment of the wreck site (o cean current patterns and the types of materials composing the ocean floor), may be important. For example, wrecks in rock reefs may be held for longer periods of time than wrecks on the ocean floor with smooth, harder surfaces. The area to the south of the south jetty (between the reef and beach) is a continuous sand bottom; no wrecks
have been observed in that area.



## Conclusions

Prehistoric cultural resources are unlikely to be foun d within the offshore area. It is possible that prehistoric Native Americans may have used portions of the Yaquina offshore reefs as a fishery. Any remaining remnants of prehistoric fishing activ ity are unlikely or not re trievable. Shipwrecks are the most probable cultural resources expected to exist within the offshore area. Historical
review indicates several recorded wrecks offshore of Yaquina Bay. It is possible that unrecorded
wrecks exist elsewhere in the nearshore area. In July 2000, a side-scan sonar survey was conducted by Williamson & Associates (20) over a large area in and around the proposed Yaquina North and South ocean disposal sites. No shipwr ecks or other historic remnants were detected from this survey. The NOAA has documented sh ipwrecks around the Yaquina Bay jetties. In summary, based on historical information and survey information, it is unlikely that significant cultural resources are within the North and South ocean disposal sites nor would any significant cultural resources be affected by the designation.Appendix D, Yaquina Bay ODMDS Evaluation/EA D-7 

## References

(1) Barner, D.C. 1982. Shell and Archaeology: An Analysis of Shellfish Procurement and Utilization on the Central Oregon Coast. Unpublis hed M.A. Thesis, Oregon State University,
Corvallis.

(2) Zontek, T. 1983. Aboriginal Fishing at S eal Rock, 35-LNC-14 and Neptune 35-LA-3; Late Prehistoric Archeological Sites on the Oregon Coast. Unpublished M.A. Thesis, Oregon State University, Corvallis.

(3) Ross. R.E. 1983. Archeological Sites and Surveys on the North and Central Coast of Oregon.

In Prehistoric Places on the Southern Northwest Coast, R.E. Greengo, ed. Seattle: Thomas Burke Memorial Washington State Museum, p. 213.

(4) Talbot, T.W. 1980. From the Journals of Lieut. Theodore Talbot, U.S.A. on his Journey through Lincoln County and along the Oregon Coast in 1849. A Reprinting of Five Early Publications of the Lincoln County Historical Society, Leslie L. Haskin, ed. Lincoln County Historical Society, Newport, OR.

(5) Beckham, S.D. 1977. The Indians of Western Oregon. This Land was Theirs. Coos Bay: Arago
Books.

(6) Simons, A. 1983. Cultural Resources in the Pacon Graving Dock Project Area. Unpublished report on file at the Corps of Engineers, Portland District, Portland, OR.

(7) Phebus, G. and R.M. Drucker. 1971. Archeo logical Investigations of Seaside, Oregon: An Intermediate Report on the Excava tions of Two major Archeological Sites at Seaside, Oregon, through September 1977. Vol 1, No. 1. Sponsored by the Seaside Museum and Historical Society (Figure 2).

(8) Fagan, D.D. 1885 History of Benton County Oreg on . . . etc. Portland: A.G. Walling printer.

(9) Mills, R.V. 1950. Railroads Down the Valley: Some Short Lines of the Oregon Country. Palo Alto, Pacific Books.

(10) Willingham, W.F. 1983. Army Engineers and the Development of Oregon. A History of the Portland District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Government Printing Office, Washington,

D.C.

(11) Beals, H.K. and H. Steele. 1981. Chinese Porcelains from site 35-T1-1, Netarts Sand Spit, Tillamook County, Oregon. University of Ore gon Anthropological Papers , Vol. 23. Eugene.

(12) Holcombe, J.G. 1893. Yaquina Bay, (4):3363. Report of Mr. J.G. Holcombe. Annual Report of the Chief of Engineers. Government Printing Office, Washington D.C.

(13) Wright, E.W. 1895. Lewis and Dryden’s Marine History of the Pacific Northwest. The Lewis and Dryden Printing Company, Portland, OR (pp. 43-394).Appendix D, Yaquina Bay ODMDS Evaluation/EA D-8 (14) Gibbs, J. 1968. West Coast Windjammers in Story and Pictures. Seattle: Superior Publishing Company.

(15) Fogarty, J. 1980. Some History of Earl y-Day Steamboating on Yaquina Bay in Lincoln County Lore. A Reprinting of Five Early Pub lications of the Lincoln County Historical Society, Leslie L. Haskin, ed. Lincoln County Historical Society, Newport, OR.

(16) Hayes, M.M. 1976. The Land that Kept It s Promise. Newport: Lincoln County Historical Society.

(17) Powell, CPT. 1884. Improvement of Entr ance to Yaquina Bay, Oregon, (3)2266. Annual Report of the Chief of Engineers. Government Printing Office, Washington D.C.

(18) Hyell, G.A. 1891. Yaquina Bay. Report of Mr. Gwynn A. Hyell, Assistant Engineer, (4):3193. Annual Report of the Chief of Engineers. Government Printing Office, Washington

D.C.

(19) Dye, E.E. 1941. Boone Family Reminiscences, Oregon Historical Quarterly 42:220-229. Salem: Statesman Publishing Co.

(20) Marshall, D. 1984. Oregon Shipwrecks. Binford & Mort, Portland, OR.

(21) Williamson & Associates, Inc. July 2000. Offs hore Disposal Site Investigation, Newport, Oregon. Revision 1, September 11, 2000. Seattle, WA. Prepared for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District, Portland, OR.Appendix D, Yaquina Bay ODMDS Evaluation/EA D-9