The Search for the Lost Indian Cave of San Nicolas Island

[@cricri7920]

I was stationed on San Nicolas in the Navy in 1972. There was a cave that had a sand floor, and went into the rock face next to the beach about 20-30 feet. It clearly was adequate to provide shelter from storms and rain. Access was difficult and we usually got there by climbing down a rope which exposed you to a 20 foot fall. We called the location the keyhole because of the shape of the surrounding tidal rocks. It had a beautiful little beach no more than 20 yards wide and most of the time there was a rope tied between two rock formations on either side of the beach. In summer you could approach by a short swim. Many of us explored the island every moment we weren't on duty. The only artifacts I ever observed were midden piles of abalone shells, which were plentiful and easy to harvest.

[@sheracad]

I have sailed/explored Santa Cruz since the'70's. I'm 51 now, in Idaho, and need to spend some time on the islands.... good video, thanks. my Idaho wife will not understand why I am heading to camp on St, Nicolas for a few days...

[@ShredmanKcksAss]

I grew up in the Redondo Beach/ Torrance area from 1960 until 1993. Spending my youth mostly at the Beacb, the story of Juana Maria oddly stirs me with mystery. I feel a real empathetic attitude towards this woman and living alone on a relatively small Island seems so Sad yet, when she was taken to Santa Barbara Island, she fit right in and somehow had learned the basic Dances and must have lived her short life after leaving her seclusion veryHappily and yet, wiring is around the corner being she passed away shortly after being free. The pain must have been insane being that any problems concerning our gut is a very serious painful experience. I only Pray that she given Morphine or one of its derivative to help her pass with as much Love and care as we Humans rather do for each other when not being forced to fight Wars that are not Wars but intricate power moves by the Greedy. The lecture is great I watched it twice and saved it as well. Thank You for all your research.

[@TheEnchantedBath]

Just re-read the Island of the Blue Dolphins book recently and stumbled onto the news that the lone/lost woman's cave may have been found. Very interesting. I've never been to the Channel Islands but I'd sure love to go someday.

[@musicgirl999]

The Enchanted Bath I am reading it right now and am almost done. I had limited opportunities to read it as a 4th grader and when I did I didn’t understand the story then. But I picked the book up and I enjoy it. I plan to read the sequel, “Zia,” after I finish.

[@elizabethbennet4791]

@@musicgirl999 yeah i didnt read it until i was my late teens. My mom had been bugging me my entire childhood to read her Favorite Story (Caldecott award etc) and i rebelled against *everything* she tried to make me do lol!! But when I DID read it i loooved it. True story!

[@abdulbasitayman1365]

@@musicgirl999 lol I just finished reading it

[@allmoneyinpgodwillrise6708]

It’s nice and feels very Native

[@keenanreese5301]

Was stationed there in the early 70s, loved it. Found many artifacts, fish hooks ect... made from abalone. Many caves on island, not surprised that they have found many things from the Island, which hadn't been discovered earlier. This is a mountain top with a spring at the very top, You'd think the people who lived there, would want to be close to the water source. Needless to say that my fellow shipmates and I have combed this Island and many more adventures for those who follow.

[@ColoradoMartini]

This is so awesome. No wonder you couldn't find the cave it was buried. I am surprised to see that the cave is so close to the water. Because of tides and storms. I grew up in SoCal. And the islands of the Blue Dolphin was required reading in elementary school. This story has stuck with me for over 50 years. So much so that after watching this video. I'm going to be making my own KZbin video. Thank you for all that you do in preserving history. It is much appreciated. I would love to interview you someday on my channel. My contact information is in the about of my channel

[@mariejarreau7251]

I myself, as a 30 yr old woman spent 18 MONTHS on San Nicolas Island 1984-85. The most FAVORED adventure of my life! Did I understand you to say that you would be creating a video of your own about San Nicolas Island? Marie

[@worksupermodel]

@@mariejarreau7251 I would live to hear about your experience.

[@lesjones5684]

Very interesting 🤔

[@elizabethbennet4791]

oh its the schwartz guy from the navy giving this lecture. been reading a lot about this story lately. fascinating

[@Labradorite_Honu]

This was posted four years ago, just wondering what the state of the site and the research is today (May 2017)?

[@tyrander1652]

Not Good. A google search indicates that The Navy cancelled the project out of concern that the research was breaking federal laws regarding Native American sites and Steven Schwartz retired out of protest.

[@jquest43]

@@tyrander1652 they found Caucasian skeletons

[@elizabethbennet4791]

the navy ordered the dig closed

[@vr4junkie385]

Or what about today ??¿¿

[@jackywithay6393]

Jo daddy The island is controlled by the navy and no one is allowed to go to island. If people were to go it would be very few and with a nature restoration organization and no one is allowed to take photos. The island seems so magical and I hope to go one day.

[@stewie2614]

Any updates?

[@peroskarsson8455]

After a lot of talk the conclution of this video: no finding were made what so ever in this cave. Crazy

[@bethbartlett5692]

I use to hold Archaeologists in high esteem. I avoid judging, so with discernment I suggest: Freedom of Thought is the most important value to Research and Discoveries, regardless of the Science/History Subjects. The "Standards of Science and Research*, in summary, direct that:."With Mind Fully Open, free of any predetermined Beliefs, Theories, Opinions, ......... and allowing the Research Methodologies to extract the greater facts.") That's an "Authentic Academic" practice. Yet, "Mainstream Academics" hold a "19th Century Theory based Paradigm and Linear Timeline as their foundation of fact". ... It is a Choice ...

[@GayaGreen]

And what do... we... know... of the date... 2024?

[@seacapt757]

If my memory has not failed me the navy shut down the dig after a native American person was invited out to observe the caves excavation and after he sensed spirits in the cave he lobbied the navy to stop the dig. There was an article about it in the Los Angeles Times shortly after this video was made.

[@Blueheron23]

@@seacapt757that sounds right from what I read recently

[@shoesarebeingreviewed6533]

How would you get fresh water to drink on the island?

[@Blueheron23]

Apparently there are a few springs

[@thinkinoutloud.1]

She made a hut. The frame was made from the rib bones of whales. Then she covered them with shrubbery. It was documented from when the spaniards came and rescued her when she was in her 50's. She hadn't been exposed to people so her immune system wasn't strong. She died 7 months after being rescued.

[@jquest43]

Why don't you do a video?

[@jonmacdonald5345]

@@jquest43 why don't you shut up!

[@wildwildItaly]

Maybe the cave has caved in with time and grass grew over it

[@jquest43]

No.

[@autumnleafs1758]

I’m working on reading the book at my school right now lol

[@elizabethbennet4791]

omg i love u. my fave book!

[@vr4junkie385]

Maybe global warming cause the polar ice caps to melt and Water rose up and buried the cave with water and then an earth quake happened and collapsed..... but I barely graduated high school so who knows

[@boogieheads]

No no you’re right to an extent but it was mostly the storms since she lived there that eroded things

[@jcee2259]

I know one that can't be seen from above or below if upon a particular island. Moreover, the entry is hidden by sand and soil carried by wind speeds of 50 knots or more. Me? National Speleological Society. Go figure.

[@About46Ewoks]

Sad that they never got to go back and finish the dig. Military shut them down. Said the where worried that they where damaging artifacts. Bs excuse to just not have to deal with them .

[@captmack007]

Don't delve too deep you'll awake a Balrog

[@sasquachbigfoot9070]

374

[@raymondalverez5999]

Great book read American Genocide and California Indian By Benjamin Madley

[@elizabethbennet4791]

yeah her hiding places were like deep caves and shit. youd have to put as much time as she did in wnadering and searching for them to find a hidden, invisble cave

[@davidortega357]

She could have dug a cave into the side of a bluff like I did when I was a kid we called it out fort cause those islands get lot of high winds been to Catalina island those natives had homes too wikiups

[@richardramos1252]

I will help for free donate my time

[@Helec0303]

Why is she labeled as a wild woman. That's racist and degrading. It shows proof of opression and treating our people's like animal. Completely disconnected.

[@captmack007]

You have issues. A white guy living alone off nature in the Yukon is a wild man.

[@jquest43]

Your people killed the people before them and took their lands,so relax!!

[@jquest43]

Please shut up

[@boogieheads]

I'm not very smart but I'll search the entire island for this

[@samaatomla4607]

YOUR AT AS FFFFF

[@jquest43]

Goo boo dah too Gabba gabba

[@marcedout831]

just be charming and white people will laugh

[@jquest43]

Laugh and brown people won't throw up.

[@worksupermodel]

just be charming and white people will let you live.

[@gemox3225]

Racist comments.

[@captmack007]

Meters? ... .. .. .American cave, American measurements please :) keep on digging.