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.
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.
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
Other Names: — (none known)
Official Number: Unknown
Registry: Presumed U.S. Great Lakes domestic trade
Vessel Type: Scow‑schooner (flat‑bottomed cargo schooner)
Builder: C. Richard, Charlotte, New York
Year Built: 1858
Dimensions / Tonnage: — / 39 tons (old standard)
Construction: Wooden hull, single deck (inferred)
Cargo on Final Voyage: Wood
Date of Loss: November 1, 1859
Location: Lake Ontario, approx. 15 miles east of mouth of Genesee River
Coordinates: Approx. 43.2608, –77.6286 (unverified)
Depth: Unknown (undiscovered)
Home Port: (Unknown)
Owners: Capt. Ouderkirk
Crew: Unknown number
Casualties: None (all survived)
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.
Final Dispositions
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.
Located By & Date Found
**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.
Notmars & Advisories
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.
Dive Information
Access: Not applicable (site unknown)
Entry Point: —
Conditions: Unknown (likely deep/variable, silted, low visibility)
Depth Range: Unknown
Emergency Contacts: U.S. Coast Guard (Lake Ontario district) + New York maritime authorities
Permits: Unknown (would depend on jurisdiction and protected historic wreck laws)
Dive Support: None known
Crew & Casualty Memorials
No crew names or memorials have been found in the newspaper excerpts or genealogical compilations. Since there were no fatalities, survivors likely returned to shore or local ports. Examination of Rochester, Charlotte, or Monroe County newspaper archives may uncover names or personal statements.
Documented Statements & Extracts
“The small scow schooner *Twilight*, owned by Capt. Ouderkirk of Charlotte … was lost on Tuesday night about fifteen miles east of the mouth of the river … the crew rescued by the steamer *J. L. Tucker* … all aboard survived.”
This is from a genealogical re‑publication citing the *Rochester Union & Advertiser* (Nov 3, 1859).
Registry, Enrollment & Insurance Trails
I did not locate a listing for *Twilight* in the **New York Marine Register, 1858** in the available digitized segment. :
No insurance or enrollment records have been found in the digitized newspaper sources yet. The financial loss to Ouderkirk is emphasized in the press, but specifics of insurance or claims were not reported in the sources reviewed.
Site Documentation & Imaging
No underwater imagery, sonar surveys, NOAA VR data, or 3D modeling was identified for *Twilight*. Until a site is positively located and surveyed, no site documentation exists in public maritime databases.
Image Gallery
Resources & Links
- Great Lakes Vessels Database (BGSU/HCGL)
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- Chronicling America (Library of Congress)
- Newspapers.com
- Find A Grave
- “Index of Maritime Memories” – *Twilight* listing
References
- “Wreck of the Schooner, ‘Twilight’,” *Rochester Union & Advertiser*, November 3, 1859 (as cited in genealogical re‑publication)
- “Index of Maritime Memories – *Twilight*,” Freepages Genealogy (listing 1859 wreck)
- New York Marine Register, 1858 (digitized volume) — did not locate *Twilight* entry in visible segments
- Karamanski, T.J. “Great Lakes Navigation and Navigational Aids” — description and form of scow schooners (contextual)
NOAA Shipwreck Record Card
Other Names: —
Official Number: Unknown
Coordinates: Approx. 43.2608, –77.6286 (unverified)
Depth: Unknown
Location Description: ~15 miles east of Genesee River mouth, Lake Ontario
Vessel Type: Scow‑schooner (wood)
Material: Wood (timber)
Dimensions / Tonnage: — / 39 tons
Condition: Unknown / likely degraded or dispersed
Cause of Loss: Storm, hull leakage, capsizing
Discovery Date: Not discovered
Discovered By: —
Method: —
Legal Notes: None located
Hazards: None known
Permits Required: Unknown