The first four photos on this page were donated to the Pt. Honda Watch and its members by Joseph J. Ginanni. Joe's father, Joseph Ginanni, was an 18-yr. old Seaman on his maiden voyage on the USS Delphy when she stranded at Point Honda on the night of September 8, 1923.

On the night of the accident, Seaman Ginanni was the only one up in his compartment. He was waiting for the storekeeper who was in the yeoman's office pressing his blues to finish the job because he was next in line for the iron. He wanted to be ready for shore leave in San Diego on the following day. That's when the Delphy hit the rocks! Seaman Ginanni made it to the cliffs and to San Diego by train the next morning. However his blues weren't ready for shore leave. The Delphy broke in two and turned over on her side. Three sailors perished in the accident.

Four additional photos were donated by CWO4 Clarke Lee George, USN (Ret.) in memory of his father, Corporal Roy George, USMC, who served on sea duty with the Marine Detachment aboard the USS Seattle from 1926 to 1927. The Seattle—flagship of the U. S. Fleet—was steaming south from San Francisco on the night of September 8, 1923. The column formation of fourteen ships of Destroyer Squadron Eleven—flagship USS Delphy in the lead—was "making smoke" closer inshore on the same night. The radio compass station log from Point Arguello shows both ships were receiving navigational bearings as they moved south. The Seattle managed to thread her way safely around the San Miguel Island, whereas six destroyers of Squadron Eleven, which were following the Delphy, were stranded with her on California real estate.

Joseph J. Ginanni's Photos

Clarke Lee George's Photos