Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Sophia Smith
- Type: Barge
- Year Built:
- Builder:
- Dimensions:
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Near Point Mouilli, Lake Superior
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden barge—typically unpowered, towed by steamers.
Description
The Sophia Smith was part of a six-barge tow in the early fall of 1875, towed by the propeller Mayflower. The barge was likely unmanned or lightly crewed and was towed in a ‘light’ condition, either empty or with minimal cargo.
History
The Sophia Smith was involved in a severe storm on September 9, 1875, which caused her to break away from the tow line. She was driven ashore near Point Mouilli, where she stranded and wrecked during the gale. Other barges in the tow, including E. F. Gould and Thomas P. Sheldon, also broke loose, but only Gould and Sheldon were later recovered; Sophia Smith was completely lost.
Significant Incidents
- A severe storm struck during the tow, causing Sophia Smith to break away from the tow line.
- She stranded and wrecked near Point Mouilli.
- No crew fatalities are recorded, suggesting the barge may have been unmanned or lightly crewed.
Final Disposition
The Sophia Smith was abandoned after grounding and soon broke up on the rocks. By early November 1875, she was reported to be ‘gone completely to pieces.’ Unlike some other barges in the same tow, she was not salvaged and was a total loss.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of the Sophia Smith is not recoverable, having broken up on the rocks after grounding. No remains are documented to be accessible for diving or exploration.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”sophia-smith-pre-1875″ title=”References & Links”]
The loss of the Sophia Smith highlights the dangers faced by vessels in the Great Lakes, particularly during severe weather conditions. Further research into local maritime records may provide additional insights into her construction, ownership, and the circumstances surrounding her loss.
Legacy Notes & Full Historical Record
This section preserves the original unedited Shotline content for this wreck so that no historical detail is lost as we transition to the new logbook format.
(1885?–1875) (barge)
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Sophia Smith
- Vessel Type: Wooden barge—typically unpowered, towed by steamers
- Affiliation: Part of a six-barge tow in the early fall of 1875
- Towing Vessel: Propeller Mayflower (scow-schooner style tug/scow)
- Loss Date: September 9, 1875
- Location: Lake Superior near Point Mouilli (Canadian north shore region)
Cargo & Operational Status
- Cargo: Light cargo or empty (not specified)—towed in “light” condition upbound
- Tow Configuration: At the rear of a six-barge tow behind the propeller Mayflower
Circumstances of Loss
- A severe storm struck during the tow. Sophia Smith broke away from the tow line and was driven ashore near Point Mouilli. She stranded and wrecked during the gale.
- The other barges in the tow included E. F. Gould, Thomas P. Sheldon, and Sophia Smith—all of which broke loose. Only Gould and Sheldon were later recovered; Sophia Smith was completely lost.
- No crew fatalities are recorded (barge likely unmanned or lightly crewed).
Final Disposition
- The Sophia Smith was abandoned after grounding and soon broke up on the rocks. By early November 1875 she was “gone completely to pieces.”
- The wreck was a total loss; unlike some barges in the same tow, she was not salvaged.
Summary Table
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Vessel Name | Sophia Smith |
| Vessel Type | Towed wooden barge |
| Tow Vessel | Propeller Mayflower |
| Loss Date | September 9, 1875 |
| Loss Location | Near Point Mouilli, Lake Superior |
| Cargo | Light (empty or minimal) |
| Cause | Broke loose in storm; stranded & wrecked |
| Recovery | Not recovered; broken up |
| Crew & Casualties | None reported |
Research Gaps & Further Research Suggestions
- Official registry items—such as owner, official number, dimensions—were not recorded in the summary index and remain unknown.
- Crew data—barge may have carried minimal crew or been unmanned; no crew names are documented.
- Local accounts—Maritime newspapers from fall 1875 (e.g., Thunder Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, or Port Arthur) may hold firsthand reports of the barge loss and rescue attempts by the Mayflower crew or tow operators.
- Salvage and ownership records—Institutional or provincial archives in Ontario might hold insurance claims, tug operator logs, or hydrographic authority files documenting the incident.
Conclusion
Sophia Smith was one of six barges in tow behind the propeller Mayflower when a severe storm struck near Point Mouilli in Lake Superior on September 9, 1875. She broke free from her tow, stranded onshore, and was destroyed beyond recovery. While some barges in the tow were salvaged, Sophia Smith was a total loss with no recorded salvage. No casualties were reported. Further archival work or region-specific historical sources would be necessary to reconstruct her construction and ownership history or locate more detailed incident documentation.
sophia-smith-pre-1875 1875-09-09 21:14:00