July 14, 2005
The La Janelle
In the waning days of April 1970, my parents gathered us up and shuttled us off to the beach. We wondered why we were going on such a gloomy afternoon, but once we arrived it became rather apparent.
This is the La Janelle, a Luxury Liner that met the end of her days humiliated on a sand bar off the coast of Port Hueneme. My brother brought along his Kodak Instamatic that day, and took this lone picture of the wreck. (Film was pricey back then.)
Today the La Janelle is a breakwater. She was ultimately entombed in concrete right where she ran aground. Most people, even when looking right at her, have no idea that this grand ship ever existed, much less that she is permanently anchored right off our coastline.
Man, I forgot all about that wreck. We weren't living in Ventura at the time, but I remember hearing about it.
Posted by: Frank L. at July 14, 2005 6:32 PM