Shipwrecks of Curry County

by H.S. Contino

Historically, mariners considered the Oregon coast one of the most dangerous in the world. In 1852, explorers discovered gold in the rivers and along the beaches in Curry County, which is located in the southwestern corner of the state. Subsequent settlement concentrated on the coast. With few roads, water transportation was crucial for early settlers. The area contained many potential dangers to ships, including unpredictable weather, frequent fog, and submerged rocks and reefs. There have been many shipwrecks in the area like that of the tanker Larry Doheny, which was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine during World War II. Curry County is home to Cape Blanco, the second most westerly point in the continental United States, and Port Orford, the only open-water port on the Oregon coast (and one of only six "dolly" ports in the world). Modern technology and port improvements have reduced the number of shipwrecks, but accidents still occur.

128 pages, Paperback

Published July 17, 2017

About the author

H. S. Contino was first inspired to write in Mrs. Brown's 5th grade class, and she's been plugging away at her keyboard ever since!

In an interview shortly after the publication of her first book, a photographic overview of southern Oregon shipwrecks, Contino stated that she acquired her appreciation for history from her grandfather. She has fond memories of him telling stories related to family genealogy.

A self-proclaimed "nomad," Contino has lived in numerous parts of the country including the desert, the east and west coasts, and the southern states. By living in such different areas, she has gained an appreciation for the diversity of both the people and the land.

Contino's appreciation for variety is evident in her writing, which includes both fiction and non-fiction. She has written about history, pets, and both light-hearted and dark fiction. Her published works include: "Shipwrecks of Coos County" (Arcadia, 2011), "Paw Prints" and "Shorts" (Amazon 2013), "Shipwrecks of Curry County" (Arcadia, 2017), and "Alternatives" (Amazon, 2021).

H. S. Contino is a proud veteran of the U. S. Army.