Artist: Kabu II
June 1996
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 |
