The Graveyard of the Pacific is known for its shipwrecks and stormy seas, but what about the creatures lurking beneath the waves? In this episode of Mysterious Pacific Northwest, we dive into eerie tales of cryptids said to haunt this treacherous coastline. From sea serpents spotted by sailors to the legendary Colossal Clatsop Beast, we explore the strange and unexplained. Are these creatures real, or just myths born from the misty waters?Sources:

https://cardinaltimes.org/18440/feature/reviews/species-spotlight-top-10-cryptids-of-the-pacific-northwest/

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cryptids

https://www.discoverourcoast.com/coast-weekend/coastal-life/the-haunted-columbia-river/article_21805818-48f7-11ed-91d5-cf2bfcdc6b23.amp.html

https://cryptidz.fandom.com/wiki/List_of_Cryptids

https://www.proxi.co/blog/map-of-cryptids-in-america

In December 1941, the Mauna Ala set sail with a precious holiday cargo—60,000 Christmas trees, turkeys, and treats for U.S. troops in Hawaii. But after Pearl Harbor was attacked, the ship was forced to turn back. Navigating the darkened Oregon coast under wartime blackout conditions, the Mauna Ala ran aground near Clatsop Spit, its cargo lost to the sea. Hear the full story of this tragic Christmas voyage in our latest episode.

Sources:

https://offbeatoregon.com/1608a.christmas-shipwreck-mauna-ala.403.htm

https://cbhistory.org/blog/articles/the-ss-mauna-ala/

https://www.navsource.org/archives/09/05/0508.htm

Fort Canby, located at Cape Disappointment in Washington State, was a coastal defense fort established in the 1860s to protect the Columbia River. It played a key role during World War II, guarding against potential attacks with artillery, radar stations, and patrols. After the war, the fort was decommissioned and later became part of Cape Disappointment State Park. Today, its bunkers, gun emplacements, and historical ruins remain as a reminder of its military past, while the area is now a destination for hikers, history enthusiasts, and those drawn to its ghostly legends.

Sources:

https://stateparks.com/fort_canby_state_park_in_washington.html

https://revisitwa.org/side_trip/fort-canby/

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Canby

https://fortwiki.com/Fort_Canby

https://www.lonelyplanet.com/usa/washington/ilwaco/attractions/fort-canby/a/poi-sig/1542162/1334954

https://www.historylink.org/File/7899

https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=116597

Join us as we uncover the epic journey of Lewis and Clark, from their departure into the unknown to their arrival at the Pacific and the long road home. Along the way, they encountered powerful Native American nations, crossed unforgiving landscapes, and forever changed the course of history. But what was the true cost of their expedition? Tune in as we explore the triumphs, struggles, and lasting impact of the Corps of Discovery. #LewisAndClark #HistoryPodcast #PacificNorthwest

Sources:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lewis_and_Clark_Expedition

https://www.britannica.com/event/Lewis-and-Clark-Expedition

https://encyclopediavirginia.org/entries/lewis-and-clark-expedition-the/

https://www.pbs.org/kenburns/lewis-clark

https://lewis-clark.org

https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/lewis-and-clark

https://www.gilderlehrman.org/news/lewis-and-clark-expedition

https://www.nps.gov/lecl/index.htm

https://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/lewis-clark

https://www.nwcouncil.org/reports/columbia-river-history/lewisandclark/

https://www.doi.gov/ocl/lewis-and-clark-expedition

https://locustgrove.org/learn/people/notable-visitors/lewis-and-clark/

 Lost at Sea… or Something More? 

In the 1800’s, the ship Seabird drifted ashore near Newport, Oregon — intact, stocked with goods, yet completely abandoned. What happened to the crew? Pirates? Illness? Or something far stranger?

Dive into this chilling maritime mystery in our latest episode. #SeabirdMystery #OregonLegends #MaritimeHistory

Along the misty dunes of Long Beach, a figure stands motionless against the shifting sands. No footprints. No sound. Just the weight of unseen eyes watching the waves. Some say he’s a lost sailor, others believe he’s been here longer than memory itself. But one thing is certain—those who see the Gray Man never forget.

Story written by Jen, with help from anonymous stories from reddit.

Lost for centuries, the Beeswax Wreck is a legendary shipwreck off the Oregon coast, believed to be the Santo Cristo de Burgos. With its cargo of beeswax and porcelain still washing ashore, the wreck’s mysterious fate continues to captivate historians, treasure hunters, and storytellers alike.

Sources:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beeswax_wreck

https://traveloregon.com/things-to-do/oregon-attractions/museums/the-unsolved-mystery-of-oregons-beeswax-wreck/

https://www.oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/beeswax_shipwreck/

https://numa.net/2023/01/oregons-beeswax-wreck-is-a-spanish-galleon/

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/rare-timbers-from-17th-century-spanish-shipwreck-discovered-off-oregon-coast-180980290/

https://www.beachconnection.net/news/cbshipw101418_509.php

https://allthatsinteresting.com/beeswax-shipwreck

https://www.opb.org/article/2022/06/18/north-oregon-coast-timbers-found-from-shipwreck-spanish-galleon/

On a stormy morning in 1906, the Peter Iredale ran aground on the Oregon coast, leaving behind a skeletal wreck that still haunts the shores today. From its doomed voyage to ghostly legends, this ship’s story is etched in Pacific Northwest history. Tune in to Mysterious Pacific Northwest for the full tale. #PeterIredale #ShipwreckStories #GraveyardOfThePacificSources:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Iredale

https://www.oregonhistoryproject.org/articles/historical-records/the-wreck-of-the-peter-iredale/

https://explorationamerica.com/peter-iredale-shipwreck-oregon-coast/

https://www.oregonlive.com/galleries/7H7JYXSRL5AZ7ND5R2ZMAEQT5A/

https://www.visitoregon.com/peter-iredale-shipwreck-history-at-fort-stevens-state-park-oregon/

https://www.gardenofmemory.net/an-unusual-view-of-the-peter-iredale-oregons-beloved-shipwreck/

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/the-wreck-of-the-peter-iredale-warrenton-oregon

We’re bringing back one of our all-time favorite tales for our the Graveyard of the Pacific series: the bizarre legend of Jake the Alligator Man at Marsh’s Free Museum in Long Beach, WA! 

Jake, the half-man, half-alligator oddity, has become a Pacific Northwest icon, and we’re diving deep into his mysterious origins, the strange history of gaffs and carnival oddities, and why this grumpy gator continues to capture our imaginations.

Whether you’re a first-time listener or revisiting this wild tale, you won’t want to miss it.

Sources:

https://www.marshsfreemuseum.com

https://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/2973

https://www.visitlongbeachpeninsula.com/other-business/marshs-free-museum/

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jake_the_Alligator_Man

https://www.marshsfreemuseum.com/jakes-place/

https://www.thrillist.com/amphtml/travel/nation/jake-the-alligator-man-long-beach-washington

Perched on the cliffs of Washington’s coast, the North Head Lighthouse has guided sailors since 1898. Its first keepers faced relentless winds, isolation, and tragedy — leaving behind a legacy etched in Pacific Northwest history. In our latest episode, we explore the stories of those who kept the light burning and the enduring mysteries that surround this iconic beacon. #MysteriousPNW #NorthHeadLighthouse #PacificNorthwestHistorySources:

https://northheadlighthouse.com

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Head_Light

https://parks.wa.gov/find-parks/state-parks/cape-disappointment-state-park/north-head-lighthouse-cape-disappointment

https://uslhs.org/travel/lighthouse-accommodations/washington

https://www.lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=116

https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/one-ear-melancholy-mary-024700060.html

https://www.visionaryliving.com/ghost-of-a-suicide-at-haunted-north-head-lighthouse/

https://www.chinookobserver.com/opinion/columns/elementary-my-dear-meeting-a-ghost-face-to-face-phan-tom-astic/article_a2ffebb0-42ca-59c4-82e9-e4bc812fb849.html

https://www.travelchannel.com/shows/ghost-adventures/photos/ghost-adventures-cape-disappointment