Skagit Island and the Flying Dutchman
Learn about the 1901 shoot-out with outlaw Flying Dutchman in 1901
Located on the northern end of Skagit Bay about four miles east of Deception Pass in Washington State is little Skagit Island. A Marine State Park and Cascadia Marine Trail the island has an interesting history.
From time immemorial, the Swinomish people fished from the island as the ancient shell midden under the Marine State Park campsite shows. Across from the midden and separated by a narrow tidal channel is a Flagstaff Point and Kiket Island, both in the Kukatali Preserve.
19th Century History
Henry Ferguson, once a member of Butch Cassidy’s ‘Hole in the Wall Gang’ in Wyoming was on the run from authorities, changed his name to Wagner and moved to the Pacific Northwest in the late 1890’s.
Ferguson gained attention for a number of land and sea robberies from South Puget Sound to Canada. He was known for smuggling opium and Chinese workers, stealing from fish traps and stores and even taking over small freighters. Much of his activity was from small stolen boats.
Island Hideouts
In regard to another outlaw Ben Ures, John Aydelotte, a longtime salvage diver and vessel assist operator has used a metal detector on nearby Ben Ures Island which borders Cornet Bay by Deception Pass.
John was quoted in ‘Gunkholing in the San Juans’ “I like rumors and like to propagate them. I’ve seen ivory, opium, silver and jade from Ben Ures loot.”
Shoot Out on Skagit Island
Of several hideouts, he had a cabin on Skagit Island.
In 1901 he was surrounded by Sheriffs and after a shoot out he was arrested. He was prosecuted and charged with a warehouse burglary and murder in Stanwood.
He was sentenced to 14 years of hard labor in Walla Walla State penitentiary. Not long after, he was paroled for good behavior.
The End
Ferguson found himself in Canada continuing his usual activities along the Sunshine Coast and Gulf Islands. Canadian authorities caught him and he was sentenced to death. He was hanged in 1913.
Note: The term, ‘The Flying Dutchman’ also refers to a 17th century ship from the Golden Age that was sail the seas forever. Learn more
Learn About Skagit Island
Read my Paddling Skagit Island post to learn about paddling and camping on the island.
Resources:
Springing the Trip - The Tale of the Flying Dutchman - In-depth post on Ferguson’s activities in Canada on Substack.
Exploring Deception Pass, Jack Hartt (a long time DP ranger), 2016
Gunkholing in the San Juans, Jo Bailey and Carl Nyberg, San Juan Enterprises, 2000 (out of print)
Puget Sound to British Columbia and Queen Charlottes - Evergreen Pacific Publishing
Affiliate links are included in this post to support my efforts.
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