Exploring Inside 1913 Shipwreck Lost in Alaska | Destination Adventure

Exploring the oceans of each country I visit bring me the greatest adventures, because these are waters typically only seen by locals. When you get to these remote locations in Alaska, the amount of people that get to see this coastline is incredibly limited, so there is a lot to find and discover. One of the locations I knew I had to see while visiting Whittier, is the wreckage of Leschi; a Ferry built in 1913, operated between Kirkland Washington and Seattle until 1950, then repurposed as a floating cannery and brought to Alaska. It operated in the waters of Prince William Sound until 1978, when the ship encountered a storm and was run aground and has remained ever since. The years, elements and salt water have not been kind to this ship, but there is plenty left to see and explore. At this point, it is hard to even see the resemblance of the ship in its former glory, but I am so lucky to have been able to see it as it is now, and document some of what remains inside the vessel.
The second half of this adventure brought us way out to the edge of Prince William Sound, in search of an abandoned mine on an island, and let me tell you I was not disappointed. I have been waiting for the perfect weather to attempt this trip, and today was the day to pull it off. We had a very successful and safe crossing, and the island its self brought so much beauty and history. There is not a tremendous amount left of the mine, but there is enough to paint a great picture of what it once was. Even without the history, this whole adventure is full of beauty, and I hope you enjoyed every moment of it.
If you did enjoy this episode, and you would like to help support the channel,
I have a couple of different options. You can support by joining the Patreon community, or by purchasing some of the DA Merch.
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This adventure was also possible only because of my amazing sponsors at Swellfish. If you're wanting to incorporate a little more water adventure in your life, there is no better adventure boat than a Swellfish: swellfish.co/D...

[@abnurtharn2927]

That part at 8:46 is the rudder quadrant. Where the wires/chains from the steering wheel are attached to torn the rudder. Normally ferries like this would have rudder and propeller in each end.

[@lc285]

Man's ingenuity and fortitude never ceases to amaze me. The places you travel and things you find in such remote places is thought provoking.

[@gwenjohnson5315]

Not now

[@boostman757]

So fantastic! As a Swede I feel strongly connected to the forests, rivers and the water but BC and Alaska is like Scandinavia on steoroids. Makes me wanna go there now!

[@schnitzelmedbearnaise]

Thats funny, i thought exactly the same thing! //Också svensk, åker upp till norrland några gånger om året XD

[@calldon4688]

My God dude that is another awesome video!! There's no way in **** I'd have gone in that ship, but there's no way in **** I'd go into a lot of the places you go. Dustin, you're showing us all the raw, untouched beauty of the Earth, and the way the Earth reclaims everything. Thank you for that!!

[@mamasinger49]

I joined your Patreon, and you are the only one I have joined. I did because your videos are a joy to watch. Thank you for all the work and effort you put in. It is appreciated so very much, as you are truly an adventurer in the most soulful way, and it is felt by us, your viewers.

[@randyjackson8138]

It’s bear scatt the things that look like eggs are berries. Awesome video as always 🤟😎

[@chuckles7524]

I was going to leave a similar comment. As a Northern BC raised berry picker I've seen lots of bear scat 🥴

[@Nicksonian]

Ceaselessly amazing how back in the day, massive machinery was trekked out to the middle of nowhere. Thanks for the ride back in time. Just imagine living and working out there when it was even more remote. Makes you wonder how they even found such places to mine.

[@amrogers4]

"Double the rods, double the chance to get lucky!" 🤣🤣🤣 Did I understand that correctly? You're such a rare gem, Dustin. Thanks so much for all you do

[@twowheeltoys]

That had me cracking up sooo much!

[@shadowknowsjo]

Always love your northern content. Makes me wanna go back to Alaska. Thanks for sharing your adventures!

[@bob_frazier]

Leschi ferry was way sketch bud. Don't risk your life like that for us! Great video though.

[@misterrjg]

I faintly remember the Leschi when she was a Washington State Ferry. She's pronounced Lesch-eye. 🙂 Another good adventure

[@mrandrat625]

This "pointless comment" is just for the AI. 😉

[@reacew7624]

Awesome adventure! Going in that boat was sketchy lol

[@BombproofCraftsman]

Likely not fish eggs. Probably seeds from some type of berry. The membrane of a fish egg would be broken & digested. I see this often in raccoon scat w/ Yaupon berries. (I do have a bachelors in Animal Science & Wildlife Management, so that basically makes me the leading expert in scat 🤣)

[@liquidgal9867]

Cool, but a shitty job checking out scat! But I guess someone has to do it! 🤣

[@BombproofCraftsman]

@@liquidgal9867 it’s the type of things you pay attention to in the wilderness.

[@liquidgal9867]

@@BombproofCraftsman yeah I know! Just trying to make a funny. People in life can be too serious!

[@BombproofCraftsman]

@@liquidgal9867 lol gotcha, guess I read it wrong. Text is sooo good for conversation 🤪.

[@liquidgal9867]

@@BombproofCraftsman 👍peace out! 🍻cheers!

[@thereissomecoolstuff]

You showed the great Western Towboat company on their scheduled barge run to Whittier. The part looked like part of a steering quadrant. Nice job getting inside. Pretty dangerous but interesting.

[@freerangebio-farm]

26:09. you crack me up so much! "just looks like a pretty active bear area" nervous laugh and carries on... you are a true adventurer and a Canuck for sure!! Not leaving because of bears but because its time to go fishin... you are the best!

[@Destination_Adventure]

Great comment, thank you.

[@kathrynjohnston794]

Love the northwest adventures. For over fifty years I have always wanted to go to Alaska, and had I known how beautiful western Canada was that would have been a dream adventure too. Now I get to go along with you, and yes, the mom in me comes out and I always tell you to be careful or watch out. Be safe, God bless, and safe travels from Proctor Minnesota!

[@KrazyMitchAdventures]

Captain D, what you need is a Downrigger for Ocean salmon fishing. Those "Dip-Sea" Divers dont really work. Sept/Oct you also need to have Prawn traps down (and a prawn puller) 250/300 ft of water, in front of a small fresh water source. AS ALWAYS An Amazing Adventure. Thanks for bringing us along.

[@toniwilson6210]

You are an absolute mad lad for going in that sunken ship. Thanks for getting the footage of it before it’s lost. Amazing stuff. Adventure on Mr Adventure man. *I made this comment before you started stealing blueberries in full sight of a momma grizzly bear.

[@pappysproductions]

That light switch you flipped, probably turned off all the lights inside before you went in. Total rookie mistake

[@jacobrobinson175]

Ha 1st love this new channel I found NEW SUBSCRIBER!

[@russbonk1372]

The scrapper in me cringes at all the brass valves you always seem to come across and wave in our faces!! HAHA! Absolutely had some inner deep memories come through as you were making your way through the wreck........as a youngster my friends and I had to get rescued from a hulk of an abandoned barge we decided to go into. Thanks Dustin!! For the memories AND the great video!!

[@zestoslife]

That pelton wheel system setup is the most intact I have seen in the wild. They were the normal way of generating rotational power down here in the Coromandel Gold fields in the late 1800's down here in New Zealand. So have seen lots of gear about, both in the wild and in museums / setups etc. But this setup was in really good condition. The pipe ends with that valve which creates a jet with its small outflow diameter which spins the wheel. Which turns the shaft turning the two other large wheels. These were belt drives. With large leader belts on them that takes the rotating energy to the gear up the hill. The gear up the hill looked really interesting as well. Some kind of floation and agitation I suspect but not sure. Amazing stuff.

[@rvman3359]

Your slow pan shots and close up's are what make these so awesome to watch. Did anyone else catch the little tiny snail on the rock? Oh, and of course your sense of humor. That rod joke was hilarious. Thanks for the great views and laughs. Keep safe.

[@Jipper1984]

I just discovered your channel. I've been watching your adventures after work for 3 days. Love and appreciate all your work. Cheers!!

[@susannenerad9851]

They don't remove old boats? Just wondering about the impact to the environment, but pretty cool how mother nature reclaims. By the way your laugh cracks me up! Love your adventures

[@johnmclaren7059]

The hard labour that it must have taken to get all that equipment up there, blood sweat and tears I bet! Great adventure Dustin thanks for the journey 👍🇨🇦

[@kenjohnson5498]

As much as i like seeing the old relics a part of me wishes they would clean all the old metal and debris from the sites. The area is way to beautiful for trash piles

[@yayasorensen4351]

My first thought was, this is why women live longer. Then I enjoyed some history.

[@BALLGAWKER]

So amazing! Every time I see these places in your videos I just have an urge to excavate these old sites and see what is really underneath!!! But as always "take nothing but photos, leave nothing but footprints"

[@TheUnexpectedOffRoad]

What an awseome adventure!!!! I'd be so scared to run into a bear face to face!! You are brave man!!!!

[@trevorwert]

A few years ago, I drove from Seattle to Prince Rupert then took the ferry to Juneau. Once we arrived there, the ferry workers went on strike, so we were a little stuck. I ended up needing to shit my car back to Seattle on one of those barges and it cost about $1,200 US. That was an Audi, so I think the Moho would be a little bit more lol. It was till one of the coolest trips I've ever been on though!

[@garbonzo540]

Hey Dustin! Glad you found your way to the old ferry, I thought you would think that was cool. The rock mill you found was amazing. I'm also very curious about it's history. There are so many forgotten mines, and the stories of the people who built and worked them always fascinate me. There are several scattered around Ester Dome near my house, and I've always wondered about who worked them, and the chapter of humanity that unfolded there. If you do make it to Fairbanks, I'd be honored to take you around exploring. Another great video though. I'm glad your trip back to Alaska has been so fruitful. You've really managed to make some amazing content. We just got back from Valdez, got our limit of silver salmon, and another couple gallons of shrimp. Digging potatoes now, just finishing out the season. I'm excited to hear about your next adventure.

[@bob_frazier]

You think that big ring gear was on a rock crusher? Good guess, or know for certain?? I was guessing the undercarriage of an old crane.

[@garbonzo540]

@@bob_frazier There was quite a bit of different equipment it looked like, but I definitely noticed a rock mill. It was the most common practice for gold and copper around the turn of the century, and still to this day. They grind the ore to powder, the mix it into a slurry with chemicals to extract the minerals. I've got no less than 4 in a 7 mile radius from my house. The real amazing thing is they drug these things basically into the middle of nowhere with horses and assembled them, then abandoned them.i can only imagine what they must have cost back in those days.

[@bob_frazier]

@@garbonzo540 Thanks B!

[@Destination_Adventure]

Stoked to hear you did well fishing and shrimping. I need your help to show me how to catch a silver salmon. Lol. Next year maybe will be my year for salmon.

[@cherylsibson2529]

I'm shocked at the quality of the water around that shipwreck it's really very clear I had an uncle who made a barge for taking cars to his little island I'm sure if you build a barge you'd take your motor van anywhere across the ocean.

[@hannahelisemiller7350]

Incredible coincidence! I grew up in Kirkland. My parents property used to be camping sites and I am fairly sure the Leschi Ferry was one way Seattle residents commuted to Kirkland to camp and utilize the beach property rights that are still to this day attached to their property on Lake Washington. Came across your channel today! Truly enjoying the content. Thank you for sharing!

[@hannahelisemiller7350]

The pilings are still visible from the old dock on the lake where the ferry would disembark from. There are placards posted related to the history of the old road adjacent to the lake; it is now a walking and biking path. If you come through this way, connect with me. I would love to go on an adventure with you. You could put your boat in Lake Washington from our beach front access and I could make arrangements for you to park your RV in our parking lot for at least one night, maybe two. 😊

[@ryanwatchman7538]

I got tetanus watching this video. Stay safe out there.

[@mauriceclark4870]

You will have lots of memories. And photos. To view later in life. !!

[@chrishoward4546]

Great work sir thank you for all your extra efforts Thank you !!!!!

[@jwfinley7808]

Those berry's looks like those things that look like fish eggs?

[@kend1053]

What you saw on the rear of the ferry was the quadrent which at one time had cables attached to it to move the rudder, or more likely rudders. It appeared you could still see the rudder below. I'm thinking you might want to get a waterproof case for your phone. It wouldn't be good to get stuck in the belly of a rusty old ship and have your phone sitting on a rock 50 feet away. You may actually have another form of communication, (plan B), that said forget my worrying. It's just we gotta keep you safe so we can enjoy more travels. Stay relatively safe.

[@deekay3064]

The natural beauty you find and share with us is truly stunning. Thank you!!

[@mikemichaud5048]

personally, i wish you didnt go into the boat but it was kinda cool! just make sure your tetanus shot is up to date! you have an awesome channel, peace!

[@Funnymoments2023.]

*I can't stop laughing at these episodes lol*

[@blueman5924]

Helllllooooo ! I’m stuck in a rusty old boat and my cell phone is….. safely on shore. Dang ! Awesome scenery ! 🌲🤙

[@GentlemanAndaScholar]

Dustin, thank you for sharing your adventures with us! Your channel is the proof of the saying, “If you can dream it, you can do it.” Keep on exploring!

[@ShereeR99]

The bears have already run away to make a home on the island.:) You would have to ask the if you could join them.

[@DannoM_]

Stunning footage of the landscape as usual Dustin! I love the remote exploring. Too bad you couldn't find the mine but still worth the journey.

[@luckyedwards4870]

Yo Justin, It's not important, but leschi is pronounced with a long I, not an E sound with the I. Good show guy.

[@Destination_Adventure]

I knew I was prolly sayin it wrong lol.

[@mjmcomputers]

I think the water tight door has failed. That’s just my non marine engineer opinion.

[@solidsabers]

Perfect timing for Sat morning coffee.

[@percussion44]

I'm sure you know, going inside that ferry was a terrible idea. If your foot got jammed in the debris, who would help you? that boat in the background shot?

[@Destination_Adventure]

I didn’t need help.

[@fredv7487]

Awesome job Dustin. Thanks for taking us along again. Stay dry and stay safe.

[@robynsnest22]

You were freaking me out inside that ferry! Get out! Yikes!

[@mrdenkthetank]

14:06 I heard "vad sa du" (what did you say, in Swedish) Had to go back several times, my wife heard it to, needed subtitles to get it 😇

[@Destination_Adventure]

Ha sa dude. (What’s up dude)

[@Bogieking78]

LOL, I felt I needed a tetanus shot just looking at this wreck! Thanks for sharing!

[@CerealKiller187]

Leschi is pronounced "Lesh eye"

[@markparent3323]

Thanks for sharing Dustin. Keep up the great work!

[@quarlow1215]

That container barge is one of Alaska Marine Ltd's barge service from Seattle to Alaska. Hauled many container to and from Seattle from them.

[@Marcelmopartruckguy]

Man it would be so cool if you or the viewers had access to possible old photos of some of these places you go to, it would be amazing to see the then and now! All that old machinery just opens up the imagination-thanks again Dustin for one of the best videos yet! Frick Alaska is beautiful!!

[@Destination_Adventure]

There is archives online to many of these places, but not all.

[@1AloneX2]

@12:26.... absolutely beautiful! Dustin, these videos are getting epic brother! 500K subs coming soon!

[@Destination_Adventure]

500k would be pretty awesome.

[@1AloneX2]

@@Destination_Adventure it's definitely coming!

[@2nd_of_3]

I sure hope SOMEONE knew where you were! Be careful! We worry about you❣️

[@Crittermoto]

“Learned that from an ex girlfriend” 😂😂

[@leighsayers2628]

Awesome ...another beautiful video ..haha 😂😂😂 and your humour ..makes me laugh ..awesome Cheers from an Aussie ..

[@andrewmcintyre8774]

At 23.20 that piece of equipment was definitely an air compressor. Ingersoll Rand still make them today.......

[@mauriceclark4870]

Your vids are. Equal. To. BBC. Travel. Programs. And more detailed. As any I've. Viewed. In the past. Keep. Going and be careful !!!

[@tptp-yl6gr]

UR following in my footsteps Dustin. 50 years later. I'm 78. Been all over B.C. Yukon, American west coast. Drove the Baja Mexico 5 times. Note. 60 hours driving time Vancouver to The Cabos. Neat for me to watch UR videos 50 yrs. later.

[@TOM2RN]

This ferry was christened by the daughter of Hiram Chittenden. The locks in Seattle were named after him. The locks connect the ocean to the canal which then goes to Lake Union and then Lake Washington. The locks have a fish ladder. I used to live nearby.

[@suddenrushsarge]

Those are berries in bear scat.

[@BlackCat-aka-Jewels]

You are a savage lol...( in a very awesome way lol) Climbing into that ship...reminds me when I was kid who did stuff like this quite often ( my folks would have killed me if they only knew😂)...since..finding your channel we are watching all videos as we go! You are very gifted in the production of them....stunning! Thanks for the adventures!🖤🐈‍⬛

[@richardp1522]

Dustin, hi from Calgary. Wow another great one they always end too soon. What always blows me away is thinking about what it took to get all of the large iron to the remote mining, logging and milling operations etc. For this site it was 1920's no D 11's cutting roads out of the bush back then. Not to mention the level of engineering on these sites. Microwave salmon noodles in a cup catch of the day, been there done that never admit defeat well done. Thanks

[@mauriceclark4870]

So many. Abandoned properties. People are used to shopping malls.and. Other amenities. Don't take to. Roughing. It easily !!!!

[@charleydahl2057]

back in 1972 Whittier small boat had just open up. my father was lucky enough to get a slip for his brand new 1972 24,ft' Fiber form Cabin cruiser ,twin 170 Hp. we would cruiser for days with out seeing any other Vessel's. boy has that ever changed since then.

[@workhardlivefree3818]

@ 8:55... was that not the rudder and the steering yolk? Looked like where the cables passed through on the outside sweep of that yolk... as for what looked like undigested fish eggs... reckon those are probably blueberries. That old wooden pipeline was an awesome find!!!

[@danielhowell2368]

Thanks for all the unique content

[@bombadil776]

I'm really enjoying watching through all your videos. As someone born and raised in BC, I've been looking for a BC based YT channel for ages.

[@judymeyer7228]

Hey Brother, I love your videos and I know you do them for your viewers but please don't put yourself in harms way. You always seem to be by yourself. Please stay safe and be very careful. Peace ❤️✌️

[@kevinwelsh7490]

Great scenic video! I'm intrigued by your boat! How do you manage to launch it from the beach with just the transom wheels? I imagine it must be over 200 lbs. so lifting the bow would be 100+ lbs. Seems ideal to be able to move your boat like this but it can't be easy. How do you manage? I'm an old guy. Would you recommend a smaller lighter boat?

[@robertsolomielke5134]

TY Dustin. Brave to go into the hull of the Leshie. Copper mines of olden days are usually quite toxic later on, and if you do find a fish it could be toxic as well. Some abandoned copper mines have destoyed all, ALL life including insects , so be careful.

[@heatherbella]

HA HA HA! You always catch the big fishes when the camera's off. :P Great episode Dustin!

[@TheXanthoman]

Imo if you really want to up your salmon game , you would be better off switching to a rotating flasher ( not dodger) like a hotspot or abe and al ( if you go with an abe and al , the shorter fatter ones work better than the long skinny ones) and an 18-36 oz ball weight weight at least 40 " above the flasher trailed by a green camo squid tipped with herring about 30" behind the flasher , also white or green camo seem to be the best color patterns . Troll just fast enough that the flasher will completely roll over , slightly faster for coho , try different depths and keep track of which depths get the most strikes . You can keep track by counting the # of sweeps on your level wind reel or just counting line pulls . Works for coho or chinook . Its the most consistantly productive setup without a downrigger for either . / another good setup for chinook when there is not alot of tidal movement is to jig a 4-5" black dart so it bounces of the bottom at the lower end of the stroke , the key to this setup is to touch bottom and maintain an almost vertical line angle , sometimes you have to chase the line around while jigging to achieve that . Try those setups faithfully and i guarranty it will up your salmon game . As a general rule fish the top 40 ft of water until sunrise then after sunrise try all depths as far as 120 ft or even deeper . Coming from 50 years exp sport fishing northwest waters , would consistantly limit when others were getting skunked . Just sayin , Jmo , hope it helps. ps.looking forward to some pics of better fishing results 👾

[@cplatter38]

I doubt you'll see this but, the the ridge above the mill was made by the trench mine next to it, if the ore is up top, why dig a shaft? That shale type material is a bugger to build a safe shaft, but it's easy to trench! The scat was lowbush cranberrys, they only chew about half of them because they have carnivore molars, their system still pulls out a lot of the sugars, bears have a high volume type digestive system, just running it through. Twice the rods? Equals a ticket up here, one rod a fisherman... multiple rods are common in the L48, not here, unless it's tipups on the ice...

[@chuckdworak1909]

❤❤❤😂😂 totally loved and enjoyed the video except you're freaking nuts damn bears sign all around you ignore just tromping through the brush and no big deal

[@Rachel-art-and-design]

Just beautiful and crazy that they just leave equipment like that. You make me so nervous when you explore some things. Love your videos.

[@maorimana]

Bear 🐻repellent would give you a little peace of mind I would think... Though if they fear for their cubs I don't think it will do much 🐻😳

[@liddlej4]

When I was younger, I was fascinated by the story of the ferry Kalakala and how it ended up as a cannery in Alaska, thinking this was rare. Now I'm starting to wonder just how many former ferries were turned into canneries. It seems like it might have been a common fate for retired ferries, at least in the 1960s.

[@SamWolfandCo.fossickandfind]

There's a reason it's called fishing and not catching , which would change the whole fishing tackle industry . Better to have tried than not. Awesome scenery and the water is so clear and clean but I have heard how fickled the weather is up that way, but the amazing places there are worth the time and wait for good weather. Cheers 👍👍👍😎💨🏴‍☠☮

[@SupernaturalBeingsofEarth]

16 25 I can give my analysis of those 2 poops sideXside. Ian Armstrong

[@ekgnyp]

I’m a big fan and have watched almost all your episodes. There was one episode last season on Haida Gwaii where you came across a surprise in a cave that you didn’t show us and seemed like a sensitive discovery. If you are able to share with us what that was I am still very curious. Also if you’re ever on Vancouver island again I would happily let you guys shower and do your laundry at my place 😁 thank you for all your adventures and hard work.

[@rhondaburke5700]

Hey! Who was that in the background shot of the leishi? Ha! Just kidding! That was undigested berries from the bear, not fish eggs🤣

[@davidrussell8795]

If you break your motor,it's a long paddle back! Or a bear bite the boar,putting a leak in,stranding you! Gotta satelite phone?

[@perstaffanlundgren]

The triangle thing is a rudder quadrant. You sea the rudder axle going up into it . There were wires Going thru pullis to the wheel house/stering commendation.

[@davidrussell8795]

You foolishly risk your life in an old collapsed Hull,where nobody in Alaska will ever hear you yell for help,just to.make this youtube video!

[@allenthibault9523]

Sorry Dustin ! Next time extra pair of ginch and pantaloonies for the trip !!!😎🤗 Stormy😞❤

[@henrykahil9275]

Nice adventure D! Thanks for letting us tag along mate

[@mauriceclark4870]

There's a few thousand. Dollars. Worth of. Scrap on these sites. To costly to. Salvage. I guess. ??!!!!

[@candymcclure2476]

Dustin, you don't listen to Gramma. I kept saying "NO, don't go in!" Gramma Candy

[@oneflyguy1949]

I trust grizz way more then black bears unless you startle mom with cubs, if you don't surprise them you should be good

[@karlkarlsson1441]

Thinking flowmeter on that thing you thought was a gage.:) great video!!!!!!!

[@bobkirk942]

Big gun ? Check bear spr?check bugass knife? Check and maybe a shovel??

[@yourcaseworker6916]

26:55 *CLASSIC!*