Sophie C. gets stuck during morning mail run
 

Sophie C.
 

I guess the unofficial postal service motto will have to be ammended to read, "Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night, but maybe grounding". I am glad no one was hurt.

Mail Was Delivered
 

From what I understand, Annie, the woman who delivers the mail via the Sophie C, made all her deliveries this morning via a Bear Island based private boat.

Sophie C Saved By Sister Doris E
 

It took a few hours, but the Sophie C was finally pulled off of its temporary perch atop a rock just south of Loon Island by her sister ship, the Doris E. After many attempts to get her off the rock by a smaller boat, the Doris E. arrived on the scene around 2:00pm. Around 2:30pm, the Doris E. got the Sophie C off the rock by pulling back on Sophie C's stern.

Any damage done?

My boat and I are in that WMUR picture. We were first on the scene. Annie came on my boat and we delivered the mail while a diver checked the hull. Then we took Annie, the three passengers, and one of the captains back to the Weirs. Annie and the captain then brought the Doris E. back to Loon Island to pull off the Sophie C.

Sophie proceeded to Center Harbor to be inspected, but it didn't seem damaged. Hopefully it will be back in duty for Saturday. Otherwise no ice cream!

The WMUR account says it happened near Loon Island which I believe is near Orchard Cove on the east side of Cow. This location seems strange since there is plenty of water there if you watch the markers and stay away from Middle Ground Shoals.

There are three Loon Islands on the lake in different towns. The island in question is Loon Island in Meredith. It is near Pine and Bear Islands. The Sophie stops there at about 11:30 AM.

News of the Sophie C's incident travelled far. There was an article in the Albuquerque Journal about it. Attachment 12238

Maybe the news helped with a little publicity. Both the Sophie and Doris had larger than usual crowds on board today. Of course the beautiful day may have had something to do with it.

Photos & Video
 

If you would like to see photos and a video of the Sophie C stuck off of Loon Island, click here and enjoy.