Oceanside Harbor – Obstacles
Shortly after the opening of the Oceanside Harbor, controversies arose over the weather causing big swells and waves, a few boaters drowning off the coast of the harbor, and big money issues. Journalist Edward G. Olsen of the Blade Tribune writes that nearly seven months after the opening of Oceanside Harbor the small craft harbor has had its share of problems. According to Olsen, “the port was subject to unfavorable publicity when an Oceanside man drowned while attempting to battle high waters in his boat at the port entrance.” [22] About a week later, Olsen wrote a second article about the Harbor stating that two harbor patrolman made a heroic rescue of five people when their boat veered to the right in the ‘danger area’ where two men have died within a month. Olsen reports that boatmen now call the danger area “Killers Reef.” [23] With the ‘danger area’ safety hazards, there was a need to have more harbor patrolman available for rescue. The major concern Olsen stresses is money. [24] During the buildup of the harbor, several loans were utilized as funding for the creation of Oceanside Harbor. The harbor was set to have hundreds of thousands of dollars in loan interests. Most harbors did not accrue that amount of annual income, so there were concerns among many including Oceanside harbor directors.
22. Edward G. Olsen, “Leases Brighten Harbor’s $$ Plight,” Daily Blade Tribune (October 6, 1963), Courtesy of the Oceanside Historical Society.
23. Edward G. Olsen, “More Men Needed to Patrol ‘Killer Reef,’” Daily Blade Tribune (October 14, 1963), Courtesy of the Oceanside Historical Society.
24. Edward G. Olsen, “Leases Brighten Harbor’s $$ Plight,” Daily Blade Tribune (October 6, 1963), Courtesy of the Oceanside Historical Society.