This archival photograph from 1918 shows the Princess Sophia ten hours after striking the Vanderbilt Reef. (Photo ASL-P87-1702 by Winter and Pond, courtesy of Alaska State Library)
The wreck and sinking of the steamship Princess Sophia exactly a century ago has been called Alaska’s worst maritime tragedy.
As many as 353 passengers and crew died after the ship grounded on Vanderbilt Reef north of Juneau on Oct. 23, 1918, and then sank 40 hours later in stormy weather.
Only an oil-soaked dog survived and managed to swim to shore.
Although the sinking happened near Juneau, it was not a uniquely Alaskan tragedy.
Listen to part 1 of the Wreck of the Princess Sophia produced in 2002:
Folding camera believed to be Kodak model 3A that was allowed to deteriorate after it was recovered from wreck of S.S. Princess Sophia. (Photo by Matt Miller/KTOO)
Personal items from passenger Kakuza Tzuzi who was headed to Vancouver aboard the S.S. Princess Sophia. (Photo by Matt Miller/KTOO)
Porthole recovered from wreck of S.S. Princess Sophia. (Photo by Matt Miller/KTOO)
China plate recovered from wreck of S.S. Princess Sophia. (Photo by Matt Miller/KTOO)
Life ring from S.S. Princess Sophia. (Photo by Matt Miller/KTOO)
Ship‘s bell recovered from wreck of S.S. Princess Sophia. (Photo by Matt Miller/KTOO)
Luncheon menu from S.S. Princess Sophia. (Photo by Matt Miller/KTOO)
Passengers and crew hailed from all over Interior and Southeast Alaska, Yukon, British Columbia, and Washington state, but the disaster was quickly forgotten for a variety of reasons.
Listen to part 2 of the Wreck of the Princess Sophia produced in 2002:
This archival photograph shows a man standing on the mast of the sunken Princess Sophia. (Photo ASL-P117-089 by Winter and Pond, courtesy of Alaska State Library)
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