On Saturday, September 8, 1923, a column of 14 destroyers left San Francisco on a speed run to San Diego. By nightfall, the column was near Pt. Conception and Pt. Arguello--just west of Lompoc..  The fog was rolling in and the lead ship, the Delphy, was clipping along at 20 knots.  The captain thought they were south of Pt. Conception and ready to turn south into the Santa Barbara channel.  Just before 9 p.m., the Delphy turned left and plowed into the rocks known as the "Devil's Jaws". Nine of the destroyers followed suit and when the Devil's Jaws clamped shut, seven of the destroyers were lost along with the lives of 23 sailors with dozens of others injured. It is considered the greatest peace time disaster in the history of the U.S. Navy.  At least 50 ships have been lost to the "Devil's Jaws" since 1915.  -Mural Society