Lost California Treasure
SHIPWRECK Protected / Restricted

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.

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AI Summary & Quick Facts

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  • Target Name: SS Pomona Shipwreck
  • Registry Category: shipwreck
  • Geographic Location: Fort Ross Cove, Fort Ross State Historic Park, Sonoma County (Coordinates: 38.51330, -123.24350)
  • Land Status: Fort Ross State Historic Park (Restricted; state park waters, protected historic shipwreck site) (Classified as Protected / Restricted)
  • Primary Historic Source: California Shipwreck and Historic Maritime Resources Program
  • Search & Usefulness Rating: Score 65/100 (Field Readiness: Advanced Fieldwork)
  • Summary Overview: 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.

Historical Overview

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.

Field Search & Recovery Tips

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.

Field Action Checklist

1
Treat this as specialized maritime or technical fieldwork and verify vessel traffic, weather, and dive limits before travel.
2
Use non-invasive documentation only unless a permit or lease explicitly authorizes more.
3
Prepare emergency communication, tide/current checks, and a shore contact plan.
4
Check tides, swell, marine protected areas, and vessel traffic before any shoreline or water visit.

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Research Dossier
65
Usefulness Rating Medium Potential
Land Status Designation Protected / Restricted

Fort Ross State Historic Park (Restricted; state park waters, protected historic shipwreck site)

Field Readiness Mode Advanced Fieldwork
Research Coordinates
38.51330, -123.24350
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Legal & Permit Review

REQUIRED California State Lands Shipwreck Info Check California submerged-land and shipwreck restrictions before diving, probing, or salvage activity. ↗ REQUIRED California State Parks Detector Rule Verify state-park detector and cultural-resource restrictions before bringing equipment. ↗ RECOMMENDED California State Lands Confirm whether tidelands, submerged lands, or navigable waterways are involved. ↗ RECOMMENDED NOAA Tide Predictions Check tide windows before shoreline, surf-zone, or intertidal observation. ↗ CONTEXT NOAA ENC Direct Compare charted wreck or obstruction context against current NOAA navigation data. ↗

Recommended Outfitting

7mm Wetsuit or Drysuit Dive flag Compass Underwater flashlight
Reference Work Citation

California Shipwreck and Historic Maritime Resources Program

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