About the Author

My background is in commercial fishing, and I spent over twenty-five years working off the Oregon and Washington coast and in the Gulf of Alaska and the Bering Sea where I sailed with a 1600tn Oceans masters license. I learned a lot about heavy weather and unfortunately the loss of vessels. The pattern always seemed to be the same, a series of events that led to the sinking, followed by mitigating the loss. It’s not good or bad, it’s just how the industry works! So, the loss of the Francis H. Leggett really hit me and left me asking myself just how this can be Oregon’s Worst Maritime disaster and yet a forgotten story. 

I currently live in Astoria Oregon, and during the last five years I have spent a lot of hours researching the incredible history of the Pacific Ocean and lower Columbia River. I enjoy volunteering at the Columbia River Maritime Museum where I spend most of my time on the Lightship Columbia. Prior to that I spent three years volunteering for the Astoria Fire Dept. I’m also a member of Sons of the American Revolution where I honor the memory of over thirty of my grandfathers who fought in the American Revolutionary War. To say I enjoy history would be an understatement.

You can contact me at captaindan@samandi.net