Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Sophia
- Type: Wooden Schooner
- Year Built:
- Builder:
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: Approximately 25 tons
- Location: Approximately four miles from shore, near Great Sodus Bay, Lake Ontario, New York, USA
- Coordinates: N 43° 16′ (approx.), W 76° 58′ (approx.)
- Official Number: Not documented
- Original Owners: Horatio N. Throop, Pultneyville, New York
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Vessel Type: Wooden Schooner
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, and 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.
Significant Incidents
Significant Incidents:
- The Sophia sank on August 22, 1827, due to rapid flooding.
- Captain Horatio N. Throop was the sole survivor of the incident.
- Two crew members drowned during the sinking.
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.
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
[shotline_reference_links slug=”sophia” title=”References & Links”]
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.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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