The 329 foot iron hull bark Sindia ran aground at 17th Street beach on December 15, 1901, while returning from China and Japan. The US Lifesaving crew from this station, under keeper John Mackay Corson, facilitated the rescue of crew members. Captained by Allen McKenzie, the ship later left only the top of its rudder post as a visible sign of the wreck, which for years could be seen on the beach or in the surf at 17th Street.