District Collector John Fraser Pugh

John Fraser Pugh

District Collector John Pugh was killed when the steamship Princess Sophia sank after grounding on Vanderbilt Reef, in Lynn Canal between Skagway, Alaska and Juneau, Alaska.

He had traveled to Skagway on official business to assist with the annual winter exodus of workers from the Yukon. The steamship had blown approximately one mile off course during the trip and became grounded on the reef during a severe snowstorm on October 23rd, 1918. Due to the strong storm and its location, other ships were unable to get close enough to provide assistance. At some point overnight between October 25th and October 26th, the ship's boiler exploded and the ship sank.

All 353 passengers and crew died as a result.

District Collector Pugh had served with the United States Customs Service for 16 years and served as the District Collector for Juneau. He was survived by his wife and daughter.