SOPHIA

Statement of Significance

Physical Description
Construction Material	Wood
Rig	Schooner
Hull Details	1 deck, standing bowsprit, square stern, no galleries,scroll head
Propulsion	Sail
Number of Masts	2
Length / Breadth / Depth	49.1 Feet / 15.7 Feet / 8.4 Feet
History
Builder	James Gloster
Built Date	1847
Built Port / Country	Port Cygnet, Tasmania / Australia
Registration Number	128 of 1855
Registration Port / Country	Melbourne / Australia
Former Details of Registration	37 of 1847 (Tasmania) ; 1 of 1850 (Geelong)
Details	The schooner Sophia sailed from Melbourne to the Wilsons Promontory lighthouse with a cargo of building material and stores. The vessel was anchored in a bay near the lighthouse where it was sheltered from all but east to south east winds. On 22 April the breeze was blowing from the south west but at 4:00 the next morning, it began to rain and the wind shifted to the south east. The Sophia's anchor was slipped and an attempt was made to get out of the bay. On the fifth tack, the vessel missed stays, so the second anchor was dropped but it parted after about half an hour. The Sophia was driven ashore and went to pieces within ten minutes. Captain Elliot was injured and drowned trying to get to shore. The cargo was insured but the vessel was not. The estimated loss was 300 pounds. Previously wrecked on Nepean Reef with no loss of life, the Sophia sank in deep water however a flood tide swept the hull inshore and it was able to be salvaged (Argus 9/6/1848). An 1849 report stated that "The schooners Sophia and Will Watch are chartered to convey to Portland Bay about 160 of the exiles recently arrived in the Eden at Geelong" (Argus 9/2/1849). On 24 June 1849 the chief mate was found dead after breathing sulphur fumes while the schooner was being fumigated for rat infestation. Was unable to load wheat in Geelong due to leaks caused by an incident crossing the River Forth bar in Van Diemen's Land, and loaded palings for Belfast instead (Argus 21/6/1851). In 1853 two bushrangers or escaped convicts and three others seized the captain while the Sophia was lying at anchor at Circular Head, and forced him to take them to Westernport (Argus 24/9/1853).
Voyage Details
Date Lost	23/04/1858
Voyage	from Melbourne to Wilsons Promontory Lighthouse
Cargo	Building materials and stores for the lighthouse
Owner	1847: James Gloster, shipbuilder, Port Cygnet TAS (Hobart 37/1847) Oct 1849: George Ward Cole (Melb. 14/1849) Jan 1850: G. Brush (Geelong 1/1850) Dec 1852 F.E. Beaver (Melb Reg) Nov 1855: John Scott (Melb 128/1855) Apr 1856: William Jones Mar 185
Master of Vessel	Captain Elliot
Weather conditions	SE wind
Cause of Loss	Anchor rope parted , struck on shore and went to pieces in 5 mins.
Further Details
Number of Passengers	0
Number of Crew Members	4
Comments on Crew Members	4 (incl Captain)