South Oregon Coast's Wreck of the Sujameco: Where (and When) to Find It

Published 02/08/26 at 6:55 a.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Coos Bay, Oregon) – The Coos Bay area is a rather complex one, and full of way more interesting to unusual finds than most coastal towns. But then again, it's technically more than one town. Kara J. Long photo

Even more fascinating is that many of its wildest treasures aren't in any town at all: they're on the shoreline that borders all three of those little burghs of Charleston, Coos Bay and North Bend. They exist even in vast, sandy stretches where you'd think there's nothing but dunes.

One of those is the unsung treasure of the wreck of the Sujameco at Horsfall Beach (part of the Siuslaw National Forest), an attraction that spends a fair amount of time either under sand or sea.

It arrived at Horsfall rather violently on March 1, 1929, and after getting lopped away and dismantled it eventually began sinking farther and farther beneath the sands, until it started only popping up parts of the year. But when it does, the Sujameco easily rivals the more famous Peter Iredale wreck near Astoria, and has its own set of crazy tales.

But how to find the wreck of the Sujameco?

Courtesy Oregon's Adventure Coast

This also means “when to find it?”

Don't expect to find it during summer. It's often gone by then, or there's very little to see. Sand levels fill up in summer, covering up a lot of things. Still, seeing only a piece of metal sticking up is pretty cool.

However, the when is just not possible to accurately pin down. Sand levels drop during winter's stormy scouring action, and that's when your chances increase.

According to Sunset Bay State Park manager Lee Ricci:

“Unfortunately, there is no good way to predict when the shipwreck will appear,” she told Oregon Coast Beach Connection. “In any given area, the ocean will deposit sand through weather and tidal events, or remove it through the same forces. If there is a cycle to which years are better to see the shipwreck, we haven’t figured it out. My recommendation would be to follow local social media groups, as people often post when they can see the ship starting to be uncovered.”

In fact, Oregon Coast Beach Connection often hears from Oregon's Adventure Coast when and if it pops up.

How to find it is much easier. Indeed, there's even a plaque at the overlook at Horsfall. This access is known as the Horsfall access as well as Beach Access #126 (according the yellow emergency numbered sign).

Directions To Wreck of the Sujameco. These are essentially the same as to the main access of Horsfall Beach. It lies out in front of the wooden viewing platform at the end of Horsfall Beach Road. From Highway 101 and the McCullough Memorial Bridge over Coos Bay, take the Jordan Cove Road westward .08 miles; stay to the right .2 miles on Trans Pacific Lane. Turn right on Horsfall Beach Road and go 1.4 miles to the end.

The GPS coordinates of the wreck are: 43.45415965183901, -124.27751782006584.

There are even pictures of it from space through Google Maps.

The ship was built in 1920 and roamed the seas mostly carrying lumber. On that fateful night some 9 years later, it was heading to what was then called Marshfield (now Coos Bay). (When Marshfield and Empire Became Coos Bay).

Then heavy fog hit. Captain JF Carlson was leading the Sujameco and its 35-man crew, but he became confused about where he was.

The ship grounded about 9:30 a.m., and communications later in the afternoon sent one ship speeding its way down from Astoria to assist. Seas were too wild to attempt much, but even when they calmed down, she was too deep for men to safely jump out. Because of large shoals in the area, a tug rescue could not get close enough.

A day or so later, certain types of tug could get close enough but attempts to move it succeeded only briefly, with the tides shoving it back towards land and eventually really getting stuck. Strangely, the crew sat aboard the ship for what appears to be weeks before finally being let off.

The wreck was largely intact for a decade, until World War II happened when it was dismantled for parts and metal. See full story Slow But Epic Oregon Coast Drama, Coos Bay's Sujameco Wreck Still Visible

The Sujameco may often pop up in winter, but it's been known to throw people a curve ball. In one recent year, it didn't really fully emerge until later in spring and then stuck around until June.

That's truly odd for any Oregon coast object that's normally hidden beneath the sands.

Oregon Coast Hotels in this area - South Coast Hotels - Oregon Coast Vacation Rentals - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours

 

A Bit of Oregon Coastal Swank At Not Quite the Coin
Lincoln City's Inn at Wecoma creates a rush of lovely surprises. Lincoln City hotel reviews

April Gets Even Cheaper Midweek at Depoe Bay, Lincoln City: Oregon Coast Deals
Off-season rates plus more at Keystone Vacation Rentals. Depoe Bay lodging specials, Lincoln City hotel reviews, Newport hotel reviews

Astounding Oregon Coast Balcony Views at a Mere Two of Newport's Hotspots
20 Aug 2026 at 4:35am
A slice of infinity at one and a charming mansion in dense woods. Newport hotel reviews. Inn at Nye Beach, Ocean House BnB

A Less Expensive May in Newport: Handful of Oregon Coast Inns Still Offering ...
Inn at Nye Beach, Nye Beach Cottages, Ocean House BnB: Newport hotel specials. Newport hotel reviews

 

More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging.....

More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining.....

Washington Coast / Oregon Coast Articles (stories are random: hit reload to see different articles)

N. Oregon Coast Native American Culture Celebrations For Two Days at Bay City
16 Oct 2026 at 9:22am
November 6 - 7, at the Bay City Arts Center on Tillamook Bay. Tillamook events, Pacific City events, Garibaldi,

Paid Parking Goes to Only Weekends at Central Oregon Coast's Newport
26 Oct 2026 at 9:49pm
Free parking at Nye Beach and Bayfront during weekdays

S. Oregon Coast's Cape Blanco First Lit in Dec 1870: A Look At That Lens
2 Oct 2026 at 9:58pm
Historical look at the two lenses used since 1870. Port Orford events, history

Oregon Coast Deputy Uses Boat to Rescue Man in Submerged Vehicle
9 Oct 2026 at 8:02pm
Elderly man accidentally drives into Alsea Bay, Waldport. Rescue

Veterans Memorial on Oregon Coast Vandalized by Graffiti, Police Seek Tips
22 Oct 2026 at 8:56pm
The Newport, Oregon fixture was spray-painted overnight on Oct 20. True crime

Oregon Coast Warm 'n Fuzzies: Manzanita's Ocean Inn Launches Winter Deals
20 Oct 2026 at 9:22pm
Nifty special to get your bones warmed on those chilly to windy winter beach days. Ocean Inn, Manzanita hotel specials, Manzania reviews

A Sunny, Warm Week on Oregon Coast, Highs 70s - 80s Some Areas
30 Sep 2026 at 3:31am
South coast in 70s to 80s at times. Dry at least a week in NW Oregon / SW Washington. Weather

Waves as High as 28 Feet Coming to Oregon Coast - Washington Coast
6 Nov 2026 at 9:19pm
Keep up on all regional weather warnings, alerts. Seaside, Astoria, Cannon Beach, Lincoln City

Back to Oregon Coast

Contact Advertise on Oregon Coast Beach Connection
All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright © Oregon Coast Beach Connection. Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted