The Centerville Beach Cross is a monument that commemorates the 17 passengers and 21 crew members who died in the shipwreck of the SS Northerner on January 6, 1860.

The vessel, owned by the Pacific Mail Steamship Company, struck a rock near Cape Mendocino and wrecked near Centerville Beach, in Humboldt County, California.

[2] The paddle-wheel steamer Northerner, built in New York in 1847, rounded Cape Horn in 1850 and was in active mail service for the next ten years.

Passengers and crew bailed the filling ship while the winds increased to storm levels and a huge surf pounded the beach.

[4][5] The first boat over the side, piloted by first officer Mr. A. French was filled with four ladies and four children all of whom arrived safely on shore.

[7] Local resident and nationally notorious mountain man Seth Kinman was alerted by distress signals from the Northerner.

[7] As described on the bronze plaque on the monument, in 1921, the Ferndale Parlor of the Native Sons of the Golden West placed a cross and marker on the hill overlooking Centerville Beach.