Foss 125
| Other Names: Cleo Street Barge, ex-YC-470 | Date of Sinking: November 17, 1958 | |||
| Rig/Type: Barge (Scow) | Cause of Sinking: Foundered | |||
| Length: 110.3' | Breadth: 34' | Tons: 438 | Cargo: Gravel | |
| Built: 1919 Chicago, Illonios | Location: Laguna Beach | |||
| Hull Construction: Steel | Depth: 55' | Visibility: 20-30' | ||
History
Built in 1919 in Chicago, Ill as the USN YC-470
(YC: open lighter), the barge came a long way through the Great Lakes
and the Panama Canal, eventually ending up with Foss company of Seattle, WA.
On November 17, 1958 the Foss 125 was moored at Laguna, with a deck load
of gravel for the Griswold Construction Co, who are installing a new out
fall sewer line for the City of Laguna. A violent wind storm came up out
of the South East, before the barge could be taken off the mooring and towed to
a port of safety, she swamped and foundered at her mooring at Laguna Beach
Calif. (John T ______[?] Letter From Vessel File, National Archives,
Pacific Southwest Region, courtesy of Robert Schwemmer.)
Diving the Foss 125
The Foss 125 is a neat wreck for several reasons: She's one of few wrecks accessible from the beach; she lies in only 55', she's the only known shipwreck in South Orange County with tangible remains and she's quite picturesque.
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| Some of the knees remaining on the wreck. | The corner with a pair of bitts. |
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| One of the wrecks corners showing a tear in the deck. | A diver examines the wreck. |
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| A diver swims over the wreck. | A garibaldi peers through a lightening hole. |
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