Why the Columbia Bar is so deadly to ships

At the edge of the Pacific Northwest lies the Columbia Bar, one of the deadliest stretches of water in North America, where the Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean. This region has claimed over 2,000 vessels due to unpredictable sandbars, deadly tides, and violent storms, earning it the title "Graveyard of the Pacific."

In this episode, we explore the harrowing history of this infamous region, Indigenous knowledge systems, and the shipwrecks of the SS Valencia and SS Pacific, whose wreckage remained hidden for over a century. We also examine the brave efforts of bar pilots who navigate these perilous waters and the role of the U.S. Coast Guard in protecting this dangerous coastline.

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