Lieutenant  Neil M. Howison and Cannon Beach

On 1 April 1846, Shark was ordered to Honolulu for repairs in preparation for an exploratory voyage up the Columbia River, “to obtain correct information of that country and to cheer our citizens in that region by the presence of the American flag.” She reached the coast of Oregon on 15 July 1846, and soon crossed the bar off the mouth of the Columbia River, for explorations in the valley regions of Astoria and Fort Vancouver. The ship returned to the mouth of the river on 8 September; and, knowing that the bar had changed position since the last survey was made, spent the following day making new observations of the bar and other preparations for crossing. However, her effort to re-cross the bar ended in disaster on 10 September, for she struck an uncharted shoal and was swept into the breakers by a swift tide. The ship was a total loss, but her entire crew was saved. They embarked on a chartered Hudson's Bay Company schooner, the Cadboro, on 16 November; and reached San Francisco on 27 January 1847. A court of inquiry absolved Lt. Neil M. Howison of all blame for the loss of his ship.