Shipwreck Report: Schooner Twilight

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

•Name: Twilight

•Type: Scow Schooner

•Year Built: 1858

•Builder: C. Richard, Charlotte, NY

•Construction: Wooden Hull, single Deck

•Dimensions:

•Tonnage: 39 tons (old standard)

•Location of Wreck: Lake Ontario, approximately 15 miles east of the Genesee River mouth

•Coordinates: 43.2608, -77.6286

•Depth: Unknown, as the wreck remains undocumented

•Official Number: Not specified

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The Twilight was a scow Schooner designed for local trade, particularly the transport of wood across Lake Ontario. Its wooden construction and single Deck reflected the practical design of scow schooners—vessels built for utility and stability rather than speed. With a modest tonnage of 39, the Twilight was well-suited for small-scale operations but vulnerable to the unpredictable conditions of the Great Lakes.

HISTORY

The Twilight played a modest but vital role in the local trade routes of Lake Ontario, frequently transporting wood from smaller ports to larger markets. Its fateful final voyage and tragic sinking in 1859 underscore the dangers faced by Great Lakes mariners.

•November 1, 1859: The Twilight departed from Sodus, bound for Charlotte, NY, carrying a cargo of wood.

•Weather Conditions: As the Schooner approached its destination, a powerful westward gale struck the vessel. The wind caused the Hull to spring a leak, and despite efforts to manage the situation, the Twilight began taking on water rapidly.

•Captain Foster’s Response: The captain decided to steer the vessel away from shore, a decision likely made to avoid the risk of grounding while leaking.

•Capsizing: Approximately five miles offshore, the Twilight capsized and sank.

•Rescue Efforts: Captain Foster managed to board the vessel’s small boat and rescued his crew. They drifted on Lake Ontario for nearly 12 hours before being spotted by the propeller J.L. Tucker, commanded by Captain Soper.

•Survivors: All crew members survived thanks to the captain’s quick thinking and the timely arrival of the J.L. Tucker.

The Twilight was owned by Captain Ouderkirk, who faced significant financial loss due to the sinking. This incident followed another recent maritime setback for the captain, the grounding of the Schooner Commerce in Oswego.

FINAL DISPOSITION

•Date of Loss: November 1, 1859

•Cause: Severe weather and a compromised Hull caused the vessel to spring a leak and ultimately capsize.

•Location: Approximately 15 miles east of the Genesee River mouth, Lake Ontario.

•Fate of Vessel: The Schooner and its cargo of wood were lost. The wreck has not been definitively located.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

•Notices to Mariners: There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) related to the wreck of the Twilight. Its remains are uncharted and pose no known navigation hazard.

LOCATED BY & DATE

•Discovery Status: The Twilight’s remains have not been definitively located.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY

•Condition: Unknown, as the wreck has not been located or surveyed. Given the vessel’s age, the wooden Hull may have deteriorated significantly or been buried in sediment.

•Accessibility: Not accessible due to the undocumented location of the wreck site.

RESOURCES & LINKS

•Newspaper Archives:

•Rochester Union & Advertiser, November 3, 1859

•Oswego Palladium, November 7, 1859

•Charlotte Telegraph, November 2, 1859

•Maritime History Resources:

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes Database

•Great Lakes Ships by Richard Tatley

•Regional Collections: Rochester Historical Society

CONCLUSION

The Twilight‘s service life was brief, yet its story provides insight into the challenges faced by small schooners on the Great Lakes in the mid-19th century. The vessel’s loss highlights the dangers of maritime trade on Lake Ontario, where sudden weather changes often spelled disaster for modestly built vessels like the Twilight.

Despite the crew’s survival, the incident marked a significant financial setback for its owner, Captain Ouderkirk. The Twilight joins the many other vessels lost to the unpredictable waters of the Great Lakes, its final resting place a mystery awaiting discovery.

TAGS

•Twilight Schooner

•Lake Ontario Shipwreck

•Great Lakes Maritime History

•Scow Schooner

•Genesee River Wreck

•1859 Shipwreck

•Wood Transport Vessel