Wreck of the Richfield
On May 8, 1930, the oil tanker Richfield, the proud flagship of the Richfield Oil Company fleet, was navigating through a dense fog and battling strong northwest winds off the Point Reyes Peninsula while carrying twenty-five thousand barrels of high-grade gasoline. Around noon.
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- Target Name: Wreck of the Richfield
- Registry Category: shipwreck
- Geographic Location: Marin County, on a submerged reef approximately 500 yards off Chimney Rock at Point Reyes. (Coordinates:
37.99400, -122.97300) - Land Status: National Park Service / Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary (Strictly Prohibited) (Classified as Protected / Restricted)
- Primary Historic Source: U.S. Coast Guard Logbooks / Point Reyes Submerged Cultural Resources
- Search & Usefulness Rating: Score 42/100 (Field Readiness: Archive / View Only)
- Summary Overview: On May 8, 1930, the oil tanker Richfield, the proud flagship of the Richfield Oil Company fleet, was navigating through a dense fog and battling strong northwest winds off the Point Reyes Peninsula.
Historical Overview
On May 8, 1930, the oil tanker Richfield, the proud flagship of the Richfield Oil Company fleet, was navigating through a dense fog and battling strong northwest winds off the Point Reyes Peninsula while carrying twenty-five thousand barrels of high-grade gasoline. Around noon, the massive ship struck a submerged reef five hundred yards off Chimney Rock, tearing open its hull and spilling volatile fuel into the ocean. The Coast Guard executed a rapid rescue, saving the entire crew from the expanding fuel slick before a tugboat successfully pumped out the remaining cargo. The dramatic wreck drew thousands of curious sightseers to the nearby bluffs, who watched the ship eventually break apart under the heavy Pacific swells.
Field Search & Recovery Tips
The reef where the Richfield met its end is highly exposed to strong swells and tidal currents, making it a hazardous site for diving. Because the site falls under federal protection within the national seashore and marine sanctuary, any physical exploration must be done via non-invasive means such as boat-based sonar from a safe distance.
Field Action Checklist
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National Park Service / Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary (Strictly Prohibited)
Legal & Permit Review
Recommended Outfitting
U.S. Coast Guard Logbooks / Point Reyes Submerged Cultural Resources
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