VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #
The Twilight was a modest scow schooner built in 1858 by C. Richard in Charlotte, New York. Designed for utility rather than speed, the vessel was primarily used for transporting wood across Lake Ontario, a common trade for such schooners during the mid-19th century. With a wooden hull and a single deck, the Twilight had a relatively small tonnage of 39, making it well-suited for local maritime trade but vulnerable to the harsh conditions often encountered on the Great Lakes.
HISTORY #
The Twilight served the local trade routes of Lake Ontario, primarily transporting wood from smaller ports to larger markets. On November 1, 1859, the schooner was on a routine voyage from Sodus to Charlotte, carrying a load of wood. However, as the vessel neared its destination, it encountered severe weather conditions. Strong winds from the west began to batter the Twilight, causing the vessel to spring a leak while still about five miles from the safety of Charlotte’s shores.
Recognizing the imminent danger, Captain Foster made the difficult decision to run down the lake, moving away from shore in an attempt to manage the vessel’s increasing instability. Despite the crew’s best efforts to control the flooding, the situation quickly became untenable. The Twilight capsized and sank, succumbing to the relentless forces of Lake Ontario’s waters.
In the aftermath of the capsizing, all crew members, except for Captain Foster, were thrown into the cold lake. Captain Foster managed to reach the schooner’s small boat, which had come adrift, and used it to rescue his crew. The survivors endured nearly twelve hours adrift on the lake before being spotted and rescued by the propeller J.L. Tucker, commanded by Captain Soper. The crew was safely brought to the port of Rochester, but the Twilight and its cargo were lost to the depths of the lake.
The loss of the Twilight was a significant blow to its owner, Captain Ouderkirk, especially in light of recent misfortunes, including the grounding of another vessel under his command, the Commerce, at Oswego.
FINAL DISPOSITION #
The Twilight sank on November 1, 1859, approximately 15 miles east of the Genesee River mouth on Lake Ontario. The vessel capsized due to severe weather conditions and a subsequent hull breach. All crew members survived the incident, thanks to Captain Foster’s quick thinking and the timely rescue by the propeller J.L. Tucker. The schooner and its cargo of wood were lost.
LOCATED BY & DATE #
Located by: Not specified; the exact location of the wreck remains undocumented.
Date of Discovery: Not applicable.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #
There are no specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) related to the Twilight wreck site. The location of the vessel’s remains is not marked on navigational charts, and it does not pose a known hazard to current navigation.
CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY #
The remains of the Twilight have not been definitively located. Without specific knowledge of its resting place, the site is not accessible to divers or researchers. The condition of the wreck, if it still exists, is unknown.
RESOURCES & LINKS #
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Provides historical context and records related to Great Lakes vessels, including the Twilight.
- Rochester Union & Advertiser (Rochester, NY), Thurs., Nov. 3, 1859: Newspaper coverage of the sinking and its impact on the local community.
- Great Lakes Ships: Offers extensive information on historical vessels that operated on the Great Lakes, including the Twilight.
- Oswego Palladium, Monday, November 7, 1859: A detailed account of the sinking and the crew’s rescue.
- Toronto Telegram (Toronto, ON), 2 Nov 1940 Schooner Days CCCCLXVIII: Historical reflection on the vessel’s service and loss.
- Daily News (Kingston, ON), Nov. 10, 1859: Local reporting on the event and its consequences.
- Charlotte Telegraph, Nov. 2nd, 1859: Coverage of the vessel’s last voyage and its tragic end.
CONCLUSION #
The Twilight was a small but hardworking vessel that served the local maritime trade on Lake Ontario. Its loss on November 1, 1859, near the Genesee River mouth highlights the dangers faced by mariners on the Great Lakes, where even routine voyages could end in disaster due to sudden changes in weather. The quick actions of Captain Foster and the eventual rescue by the J.L. Tucker ensured the survival of the crew, but the Twilight and its cargo were lost, leaving behind a poignant reminder of the perils of maritime life in the 19th century.
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ANALYSIS #
The story of the Twilight illustrates the risks inherent in maritime navigation during the 19th century, particularly for small, utilitarian vessels like scow schooners. The vessel’s sinking was not only a personal tragedy for those involved but also a financial loss for its owner and a reminder of the harsh realities of working on the Great Lakes. The Twilight’s fate is part of the broader narrative of maritime history in the region, where the forces of nature often proved more powerful than even the most well-prepared crews.
