Schooner Active at Lighthouse Point
The schooner Active wrecked at Lighthouse Point, Santa Cruz, during rough weather in October 1876 and is one of the better-known shore-adjacent losses in Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. NOAA's profile places the casualty directly at the point, long recognized as one of the worst spots on that stretch of coast. Unlike deep-water losses, Active belongs to a narrow shoreline headland where reef, surf, and bluff position matter, which makes it a useful historical reconnaissance site even if the recoverable wreck record is fragmentary. It is best understood as a protected maritime-history landscape, not a legal collecting ground.
Field Research Notes
Walk the public headland and study sight lines, reef exposure, and surf behavior rather than looking for exposed relics. Historical interpretation near the marine-lab area can help anchor the story in place. Do not disturb intertidal material or remove anything from the shoreline or sanctuary waters.
Recommended Gear
Binoculars, Field notebook, Coastal map
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The Frolic was a fast Baltimore clipper ship engaged in the illicit opium trade between China and California. In July 1850, carrying a cargo of Chinese silks, porcelain, and household goods, she ran aground on the.
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Wreck of the SS Brother Jonathan
The SS Brother Jonathan was a luxurious paddle steamer carrying passengers and a cargo of gold coins from San Francisco to Portland. In July 1865, it struck an uncharted rock (now called Jonathan Rock) off Crescent.
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Unidentified Non-Dangerous Wreck (Test)
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