Identification & Site Information:

•Vessel Name: Sophia

•Type: Wooden Schooner

•Official Number: Not documented

•Tonnage: Approximately 25 tons

•Owner & Captain: Horatio N. Throop, Pultneyville, New York

•Location of Wreck: Approximately four miles from shore, near Great Sodus Bay, Lake Ontario, New York, USA

•Coordinates: Approximate, based on historical records

•N 43° 16’ (approx.), W 76° 58’ (approx.)

•Depth of Wreck: Not documented; the vessel sank in open water

•Date of Wreck: August 22, 1827

Vessel Description:

The Sophia was a small wooden Schooner typical of early 19th-century Great Lakes vessels. With a tonnage of approximately 25 tons, it was designed for regional trade, such as the bulk transportation of corn during its final voyage. Built with a wooden Hull, the vessel was suited for the coastal and inland waterways of Lake Ontario.

History:

Final Voyage:

•Date: August 22, 1827

•Route: Departed Pultneyville, New York, bound for Oswego with a cargo of bulk corn.

•Incident:

•Around 8 a.m., the Schooner began taking on water rapidly from the leeward side, especially at the forward end.

•Despite attempts to adjust course and manage the flooding, the vessel sank within minutes, leaving the three crew members in rough waters about four miles from shore.

Survival and Tragedy:

•Survivor: Captain Horatio N. Throop

•After a four-hour struggle in the lake’s rough waters, he managed to swim ashore.

•Fatalities: Two crew members drowned:

•One clung to a barrel before being lost.

•Another attempted to swim with an oar but succumbed to the waves.

Cause of Sinking:

The cargo of corn likely became wet, causing it to swell and open the seams of the vessel’s wooden Hull, resulting in catastrophic flooding.

Final Disposition:

The Sophia was lost entirely in Lake Ontario on August 22, 1827. The remains of the Schooner have not been located and are presumed to have deteriorated beyond recognition due to the passage of time and environmental conditions.

Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs):

There are no specific Notices to Mariners related to the wreck of the Sophia, though the area near Great Sodus Bay is known for challenging weather and navigation conditions.

Located By & Date:

•Status: Unlocated

•Attempts: No modern efforts to locate the wreck have been documented.

Current Condition & Accessibility:

The Sophia is presumed to be in a state of advanced deterioration or entirely lost to the depths of Lake Ontario. The site is not accessible for diving or exploration due to the lack of confirmed coordinates or identifiable remains.

Resources & Links:

•David Swayze Shipwreck File: Comprehensive database on Great Lakes shipwrecks.

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes: maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca

•Bowling Green State University Historic Vessels Index

•Wrecksite: Historical maritime records and wreck locations.

Conclusion:

The Sophia represents the perilous conditions faced by mariners on the Great Lakes during the early 19th century. While the vessel itself remains unlocated, its tragic story endures, highlighting the bravery of Captain Horatio N. Throop and the unforgiving nature of the Inland Seas.

Tags:

#SophiaShipwreck #GreatLakesMaritimeHistory #LakeOntario #SodusBayWreck #HistoricShipwrecks #MaritimeDisasters