USS Milwaukee (C-21) - The Wreck of The Milwaukee

The Wreck of The Milwaukee

Under temporary command of a lieutenant acting as Coast Torpedo Force Commander, Milwaukee sailed on 5 January 1917 for Eureka, California, to assist in salvaging U.S. submarine H-3 which had run aground off Humboldt Bay on 14 December 1916. On 13 January, while attempting to float the submarine disregarding recommendations of local mariners, the cruiser stranded in the first line of breakers at Samoa, California off Eureka. Four hundred twenty-one enlisted and 17 officers were rescued safely by the Humboldt Bay Life-Saving Station and local volunteers, but attempts to salvage the ship were unsuccessful. The H-3 was ultimately salvaged and returned to service.