Lost California Treasure

SS Pomona Shipwreck

A 225-foot steel steamship built in 1897. In March 1908, she struck a submerged wash rock off Fort Ross and was run aground in Fort Ross Cove to save the crew. The wreck lies in 25 to 60 feet of water, and its boilers and engine frame remain on the seafloor, forming a protected underwater park.

Record typeshipwreck
LocationFort Ross Cove, Fort Ross State Historic Park, Sonoma County
Probability indexHigh
Land statusFort Ross State Historic Park (Restricted; state park waters, protected historic shipwreck site)
Research coordinates38.5133, -123.2435
SourceCalifornia Shipwreck and Historic Maritime Resources Program

Field Research Notes

The wreck lies in Fort Ross Cove, roughly 100 yards offshore. Access is via a rocky beach entry. While diving is permitted, the site has very active kelp growth, cold water, and poor visibility depending on swells. Removing any artifacts or disturbing the marine life surrounding the engine mounts is strictly illegal.

Recommended Gear

7mm Wetsuit or Drysuit, Dive flag, Compass, Underwater flashlight

Related shipwrecks

  • Wreck of the Frolic shipwreck · Point Cabrillo, Mendocino County · High probability

    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.

  • Wreck of the SS Brother Jonathan shipwreck · Off Crescent City, Del Norte County · High probability

    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.

  • Unidentified Dangerous Wreck shipwreck · California Coastal Waters · Medium probability

    A charted marine wreck recorded in the NOAA Electronic Navigational Charts database (OBJECTID 545941). Classified as a dangerous wreck. Source record date: 20000708.

  • Unidentified Dangerous Wreck shipwreck · California Coastal Waters · Medium probability

    A charted marine wreck recorded in the NOAA Electronic Navigational Charts database (OBJECTID 545942). Classified as a dangerous wreck. Source record date: 201305.

  • Unidentified Dangerous Wreck shipwreck · California Coastal Waters · Medium probability

    A charted marine wreck recorded in the NOAA Electronic Navigational Charts database (OBJECTID 545943). Classified as a dangerous wreck. Source record date: 20000708.

  • Unidentified Non-Dangerous Wreck (Test) shipwreck · California Coastal Waters · Medium probability

    A charted marine wreck recorded in the NOAA Electronic Navigational Charts database (OBJECTID 545944). Classified as a non-dangerous wreck (test). Source record date: 20000708.