The History of the Octavius

The S.S. Valencia was built in 1885 and ran between New York City and Caracas, Venezuela. The ship served as a troop ship during the Spanish-American war. In 1906, she filled in for another ship that was under repair on her route from San Francisco to Seattle. She struck a reef near Pachayna Point on the southwest side of Vancouver Island. Six lifeboats were lowered over the side but only one made it safely away.