Dyea in Skagway, Alaska — Northwest (North America)
SS Princess Sophia Memorial
— Princess Sophia 1912-1918 —
Photographed By Sandra Hughes Tidwell, June 5, 2024
1. SS Princess Sophoa Memorial Marker
In memory of the more than 350 people lost on the SS Princess Sophia, on October 25, 1918.
On October 23, 1918, the Princess Sophia left Skagway, bound for Juneau. One of the final outbound ships of the year, the October sailing marked one of the last chances for residents of the interior to leave before the Yukon River froze, closing riverboat travel for the season.
Most passengers on board hailed from the Yukon Territory and Interior Alaska, at least 80 worked for the White Pass & Yukon Route Riverboat Division. The mood was celebratory as the Princess Sophia left Skagway, but a storm quickly blew the ship off course. In the early hours of October 24th, the Princess Sophia struck Vanderbilt Reef in the Lynn Canal. After over 40 hours on the reef, surrounded by the storm, the ships and leaving no survivors to save a dog who swam to shore.
A tragic loss to the Northland, the sinking of the Princess Sophia went underreported as news of the end of World War I overwhelmed headlines. The story of the most fatal shipwreck on the West Coast has been largely untold.
Dedicated October 2018.
Erected 2018.
Topics. This historical marker and memorial is listed in these topic lists: Disasters
this page online
Location. 59° 27.147′ N, 135° 19.226′ W. Marker is in Skagway, Alaska. It is in Dyea. Marker is on Broadway, 0.1 miles south of 1st Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Marker stands in the park near the train depot. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 314 Broadway, Skagway AK 99840, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Events Leading to the Shipwreck (here, next to this marker); Three Thousand Pack Animals (within shouting distance of this marker); Skagway Centennial Statue (within shouting distance of this marker); Skagway and White Pass (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Inspector Charles Constantine (about 300 feet away); Plowing Ahead (about 400 feet away); Jeff. Smith’s Parlor (about 600 feet away); Fatal Duel (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Skagway.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 25, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 16, 2024, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 41 times since then. Photo 1. submitted on June 16, 2024, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. A wide shot of the marker in context. • Can you help?
