Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Twilight
- Type: Scow-schooner
- Year Built: 1858
- Builder: C. Richard, Charlotte, New York
- Dimensions: — / 39 tons (old standard)
- Registered Tonnage: 39 tons
- Location: Lake Ontario, approx. 15 miles east of mouth of Genesee River
- Coordinates: Approx. 43.2608, -77.6286 (unverified)
- Official Number: Unknown
- Original Owners: Capt. Ouderkirk
- Number of Masts: Unknown
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Twilight was a scow-schooner, with a shallow draft and flat or nearly flat hull form, optimized for carrying cargo close to shore or in shallow bays. Scow-schooners often had simple construction and modest rigging to facilitate operations in variable winds and ease of handling. As a wooden single-deck vessel, she likely lacked extensive reinforcement, meaning she would have been vulnerable to hull leakage or structural failure under heavy stress.
Description
The Twilight was a **scow-schooner**, with a shallow draft and flat or nearly flat hull form, optimized for carrying cargo close to shore or in shallow bays. Scow-schooners often had simple construction and modest rigging to facilitate operations in variable winds and ease of handling. As a wooden single-deck vessel, she likely lacked extensive reinforcement, meaning she would have been vulnerable to hull leakage or structural failure under heavy stress.
History
On November 1, 1859, *Twilight* reportedly departed from **Sodus, New York** bound for **Charlotte** (present-day Rochester, NY) carrying a cargo of wood. She encountered a strong westward gale during the crossing. The hull began to leak and take on water.
In an attempt to avoid being driven ashore, Captain Foster steered farther offshore. However, about **five miles off shore**, the vessel ultimately capsized. The crew took to the vessel’s small boat and drifted for **nearly 12 hours** until being rescued by the steamship *J. L. Tucker*, commanded by Captain Soper. All aboard survived.
The owner, Capt. **Ouderkirk** of Charlotte, suffered substantial financial loss. Local press accounts compare this to an earlier grounding of the schooner *Commerce* at Oswego.
Significant Incidents
- November 1, 1859: *Twilight* capsized during a strong gale on Lake Ontario, leading to the loss of the vessel and cargo.
Final Disposition
The cause of loss is **storm damage and hull leakage** leading to capsizing. The cargo and vessel were lost; no remnants are documented. Given the absence of discovery or survey, the wreck condition is unknown, though after more than 160 years any remains would likely be dispersed, decayed, or heavily scavenged.
Current Condition & Accessibility
**Not located.** No known record of a sonar, dive, or survey identification of *Twilight* exists in publicly searchable archives. The approximate coordinates (43.2608, -77.6286) derive from narrative descriptions and may not reflect the true resting place.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”twilight-1858″ title=”References & Links”]
No modern Notices to Mariners or hazard advisories reference *Twilight*. Because the wreck is not confirmed and is presumed to lie offshore, it is not currently listed as a navigational hazard.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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