March 28, 1964 Gulf of Alaska Tsunami - Newport, OR Narrative

Passage from Lander, et al. (1993):

"The McKinzie family from Tacoma was camping at Beverly Beach State Park, located between Newport and Depoe Bay. Mrs. McKinzie was a Red Cross Senior Life Saver and the children - ages three, six, seven, and eight - could swim. As they slept on the beach, a wave swept over them without warning. The first wave was small, and Mr. and Mrs. McKinzie gathered up the soaked children. Mrs. McKinzie was holding two of the children's hands when the second wave hit and battered them with logs and debris. She was knocked unconscious and found 400 yards from the camp. Mr. McKinzie climbed a cliff for help. The adults were able to reach an air pocket about one foor below the roof of their driftwood lean-to but all four children were lost. Only one body was recovered. The adult McKinzies were treated for shock. The family dog was also lost. (Story compiled from: San Diego Union, March 24, 1964; Seattle Daily Tribune, March 28, 1964, p. 2; and, Aberdeen Daily World, March 31, 1964.)"

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