This story is of the coastal liner, The Princess Sophia. It is a true and tragic tale about the loss of more than 343 souls.The SS Princess Sophia was one of four ships built between 1910-1911 built by a Scottish shipbuilder. The sister ships were, the SS Princess Adelaide, the SS Princess Alice, and the SS Princess Mary. Starting in 1901, Canadian Pacific Railway ordered the production of this line of ships to serve the west coast of Canada and the Southeast Coast of Alaska. This marine highway was called The Inside Passage, because it was a protected waterway from the Pacific Ocean.
On October 24, 1918, The Princess Sophia grounded on Vanderbilt Reef in Lynn Canal, just north of Juneau, Alaska. Although initially this grounding could easily have allowed rescue but poor weather prevented any assistance. While would-be-rescuers watched from a safe distance, they were horrified to see the passage of time obliterate any chance that they could save any of the people on board. This wreck was the worst maritime accident in the history of both Alaska and British Columbia.
The details of the grounding, wreck, and eventual sinking of this ocean liner became extremely controversial, with many believing that a successful rescue could have been launched. Below is a letter from a young man aboard who lost his life that stormy October evening:
"Shipwrecked off coast of Alaska
S.S. Princess Sophia
October 24, 1918
My own dear sweetheart,
I am writing this my dear girl while the boat is in grave danger. We struck a rock last night which threw many from their berths, women rushed out in their night attire, some were crying, some were too weak to move, but the lifeboats were swung out in all readiness but owing to the storm would be madness to launch until there was no hope for the ship. Surrounding ships were notified by wireless and in three hours the first steamer came, but cannot get near owing to the storm raging and the reef which we are on. There are now seven ships near. When the tide went down, two-thirds of the boat was high and dry. We are expecting the lights to go out any minute, also the fires. The boat might go to pieces, for the force of the waves are terrible, making awful noises on the side of the boat, which is quite a list to port. No one is allowed to sleep, but believe me dear Dorrie it might have been much worse. Just here there is a big steamer coming. We struck the reef in a terrible snow storm. There is a big buoy marking the danger but the captain was to port instead (of) to starboard of (the) buoy. I made my will this morning, leaving everything to you, my own true love and I want you to give 100 pounds to my dear Mother, 100 pounds to my dear Dad, 100 pounds to dear wee Jack, and the balance of my estate (about 300 pounds) to you, Dorrie dear. The Eagle Lodge will take care of my remains.
In danger at Sea.
Princess Sophia
24th October 1918
To whom it may concern:
Should anything happen (to) me notify, notify Eagle Lodge, Dawson. My insurance, finances, and property, I leave to my wife (who was to be) Miss Dorothy Burgess, 37 Smart Street, Longsight, Manchester, England
J. Maskell"
The details of the grounding, wreck, and eventual sinking of this ocean liner became extremely controversial, with many believing that a successful rescue could have been launched. Below is a letter from a young man aboard who lost his life that stormy October evening:
"Shipwrecked off coast of Alaska
S.S. Princess Sophia
October 24, 1918
My own dear sweetheart,
I am writing this my dear girl while the boat is in grave danger. We struck a rock last night which threw many from their berths, women rushed out in their night attire, some were crying, some were too weak to move, but the lifeboats were swung out in all readiness but owing to the storm would be madness to launch until there was no hope for the ship. Surrounding ships were notified by wireless and in three hours the first steamer came, but cannot get near owing to the storm raging and the reef which we are on. There are now seven ships near. When the tide went down, two-thirds of the boat was high and dry. We are expecting the lights to go out any minute, also the fires. The boat might go to pieces, for the force of the waves are terrible, making awful noises on the side of the boat, which is quite a list to port. No one is allowed to sleep, but believe me dear Dorrie it might have been much worse. Just here there is a big steamer coming. We struck the reef in a terrible snow storm. There is a big buoy marking the danger but the captain was to port instead (of) to starboard of (the) buoy. I made my will this morning, leaving everything to you, my own true love and I want you to give 100 pounds to my dear Mother, 100 pounds to my dear Dad, 100 pounds to dear wee Jack, and the balance of my estate (about 300 pounds) to you, Dorrie dear. The Eagle Lodge will take care of my remains.
In danger at Sea.
Princess Sophia
24th October 1918
To whom it may concern:
Should anything happen (to) me notify, notify Eagle Lodge, Dawson. My insurance, finances, and property, I leave to my wife (who was to be) Miss Dorothy Burgess, 37 Smart Street, Longsight, Manchester, England
J. Maskell"
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