Written by: Jeffrey Delsescaux and Katie Wrubel
The ocean holds secrets from centuries past, guarding the stories of explorers, traders, and survivors who ventured into its vast and unforgiving expanse. One such story is the 1808 wreck of the Svyatoy Nikolai (St. Nicholas), a Russian-American Company schooner, lost off the rugged coast of present-day Washington State. In 2023, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Office of National Marine Sanctuaries Maritime Heritage Program and Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary (OCNMS), with funding from NOAA’s Office of Ocean Exploration, collaborated with a team of experts from local and regional communities to uncover this lost piece of maritime history.
A Russian Ship and a Tumultuous Past
In 1808, the Russian-American Company tasked the Svyatoy Nikolai with mapping the Pacific Northwest and scouting for a location to establish a new Russian colony. With a crew of 22, including Unangax̂ hunters from Alaska, the ship set sail from Novo Arkhangelsk (modern Sitka, Alaska).
After a productive start trading with the Makah Tribe at Cape Flattery, the expedition took a perilous turn. Rough weather and rocky shoals near Destruction Island forced the crew to abandon ship at the Quillayute River. What followed was a harrowing tale of survival and cultural exchange. The crew endured months of hardship, traversing the wilderness, living with local Indigenous tribes, and finally returning home after securing passage with an American merchant vessel.
The Svyatoy Nikolai’s wreck has remained shrouded in mystery for over two centuries, preserved in oral histories, Russian documents, and archaeological curiosity.
A New Chapter in the Search
In August 2023, NOAA launched an interdisciplinary effort to find the wreck and better understand the region’s maritime heritage. Partnering with East Carolina University, the Hoh Tribe, Marker Offshore LLC surveyors, the Sea Dragon Remotely Operated Vehicle team, and local experts, NOAA used state-of-the-art technology to investigate the waters near La Push.
The month-long project combined traditional archaeological survey techniques with remote sensing instruments. Strategies included:

- Remote Sensing Surveys: Multibeam sonar, side-scan sonar, and magnetometers scanned over 248 kilometers (154 miles) of the seafloor to locate potential wreckage.
- Diving Operations: Scuba divers and an underwater remotely operated vehicle (ROV) explored magnetic anomalies and shipwreck sites identified during surveys.
- Community Engagement: Team members worked closely with local communities, sharing findings and fostering connections to the region’s shared maritime history.

What the Expedition Found
While the team did not uncover new artifacts from the Svyatoy Nikolai, the mission was far from a failure.
The surveys revealed important data about the region’s seafloor and its challenges. The team investigated two known shipwrecks in the sanctuary—the British freighter Temple Bar (wrecked 1939) and the Russian freighter Lamut (wrecked 1943). These assessments provided valuable insights into the condition of the wrecks and the effects of the dynamic marine environment on underwater cultural heritage.
At the Lamut site, the team noted significant structural degradation but also discovered a vibrant marine ecosystem thriving among the wreckage. Such findings highlight the dual importance of these sites—as archaeological resources and as critical habitats for marine biodiversity.
The survey also illuminated the difficulties of underwater archaeology in this region. High swells, limited visibility, and a shifting seafloor make it difficult to detect and document shipwrecks. Yet these same conditions underscore the urgency of preservation efforts to assess and document these sites before evidence of these historic events is lost forever.
Collaboration Across Communities
One of the expedition’s most meaningful outcomes was its emphasis on collaboration. NOAA worked with the Hoh Tribe on the development and implementation of this project. This included bringing Tribal members on OCNMS’s Research Vessel (R/V) Storm Petrel during survey operations, as well as sharing a community meal to build relationships around the search. NOAA staff also met with Tribal Historic Preservation Officers at the Hoh Tribe and Quinault Indian Nation to discuss maritime heritage efforts on the Olympic Coast. Their deep knowledge of the region and its history enriched the heritage work and strengthened relationships with NOAA.
The NOAA team also prioritized education and outreach to share the learnings from the expedition. Workshops, symposiums, and public events brought the community into the fold, encouraging dialogue about maritime heritage and its relevance today. These efforts are part of a larger NOAA commitment to ensure that maritime heritage research supports and benefits the people who have lived along these shores for millennia.
Challenges of the Search
Finding a 200-year-old shipwreck is no easy task. The rugged coastline of the Olympic Peninsula is shaped by dynamic forces—shifting sands, strong currents, and stormy weather—all of which obscure potential archaeological sites. During the expedition, high swells and poor visibility frequently disrupted diving operations.
Moreover, historical records offer only vague clues about the Svyatoy Nikolai’s final resting place. Oral histories and Russian accounts describe a wreck near the Quillayute River, but pinpointing an exact location requires both patience and precision.
Why It Matters
The search for the Svyatoy Nikolai is about more than locating a shipwreck; it’s about uncovering the stories that connect us to our past. Each piece of evidence—whether an artifact or a sonar anomaly—adds depth to our understanding of the people who experienced the ruggedness of the Pacific Northwest and the encounters between newcomers and Indigenous peoples that shaped this region.
Maritime archaeology serves as a bridge between history and the present. By studying shipwrecks, archaeologists gain insight into the past and biologists learn how marine life adapts to shipwreck sites. Together, we gain insight into how we can protect these fragile non-renewable resources for future generations.


Looking Ahead
Although the Svyatoy Nikolai remains elusive, NOAA’s expedition laid the groundwork for future exploration. The project strengthened partnerships, tested new methods, and sparked fresh interest in the sanctuary’s underwater cultural heritage.
As the story of the Svyatoy Nikolai continues to captivate historians and archaeologists, NOAA remains committed to its mission of protecting, preserving, and sharing the maritime heritage of the Olympic Coast. Whether the wreck is found tomorrow or decades from now, the search is a testament to the enduring power of history and the human spirit of discovery.