Sophie C
 

I have been reading the forum for many years but have not posted before, so here is my question/post. Why is the Sophie C still in dry dock in Center Harbor? Thanks for any information you might know.

No See Sophie C
 

The Sophie C passed our place on East Bear Island on a Saturday in early June. We have not seen her since. No mail delivery yet this season. Hope she gets well soon.

The Sophie C has some problems with her hull. They tried some patching last week but there are still problems. Right now they are sandblasting the hull so it can be evaluated.

There will be some shifting of schedules and starting next Monday the Doris E will be the temporary mail boat. One problem with the switch is that the Doris does not have an electrical system compatible with an ice cream freezer. It might seem trivial, but the island children (and some adults) really look forward to visits from the "ice cream boat".

Trivial
 

Not Trivial, some things should never change ☺☺☺

Get well soon, Sophie C!!

Welcome to the Forum LRG. We saw the Sophie C in dry dock last week and wondered the same thing. We were away from internet access for a few days, so didn't post but glad you did.

Not trivial. We have the Sophie C's schedule on our boat in case we want to "meet her" for ice cream at one of the islands while out and about.

Anyone know why issues developed with the hull? Any pictures?

How old is the current Sophie C?

Sophie was built specifically for the lake in 1969 in South Boston (source NHPR 2017).

Last summer, the we met the Doris one day she substituted for the Sophie. Though no freezer, the crew did have a cooler with ice, and so did sell ice cream that day.

Great Vessel
 

Sophie C and Doris E were built by General Ship and Engine Works in East Boston MA. Owner Carl Hedblom and son Byron. Hedbloms had a summer home on Governors Island opposite Eagle Island. Carl named the boats, after his wife Doris E., and mother Sophie C.. Carl and son Byron owned the Winnipesaukee Flagship Company and they oversaw the project of disassembly of the Chateaugay and assembly of the S/S Mount Washington. Launched 1940. I believe Sophie C and Doris E were added in 1947. Sophie C. became the U.S Mailboat 1969, after Uncle Sam II (72' Converted PT Boat) finished the 1968 season.

From a different source:

"The fifth boat to serve in the lake’s postal service, the vessel was built in East Boston as a supply ship for the US Navy and was launched in August 1945. Welders later attached a B&M railroad car to the hull to create a cabin. Renamed the Sophie C., she became a tour boat on Winnipesaukee. In 1969, she took over the mail."

http://archive.boston.com/travel/exp...winnipesaukee/

As posted by Rattlesnake Gal 01-04-06
 

In 1945 the new owners of the Mt.Washington, Carl and Byron Hedblom, commissioned the General Ship and Engine Works of East Boston, Massachusetts, of which they were principal owners, to build the MV Sophie C, named after the owner’s mother. She was launched in Center Harbor, New Hampshire, in August 1945 with the sole purpose of a shuttle service between The Weirs and Wolfeboro before the return of the MV Mount Washington to service.
The vessel is 76 feet long with a 16-foot beam and has a capacity of 150 passengers. Constructed entirely of steel, making her fully fireproof. Outfitted with diesel engines and is capable of traveling 15 miles per hour. It is presently owned and operated by Winnipesaukee Flagship Corporation of Weirs Beach and Center Harbor, New Hampshire.
In 1969 the Sophie C took over the mail service on Lake Winnipesaukee from Uncle Sam II.

Got a couple shot of her on Sunday. Consolation prize for her being out of service is getting to see her in dry dock, can’t remember when I saw that last.

Where does she go in the winter?

her & Doris slip next to the Mount


.

Snug and Cozy
 

I think that the Sophie C, the Doris E, and the Bear II (from Camps Lawrence and Nokomis, share the marine way in Center Harbor when the snow flies. ☃️

Welcome Doris E
 

Yesterday, the Doris E delivered mail to East Bear Island in place of her big sister, the Sophie C. 🐻

What is happening?
 

Does anyone know the status of the Sophie C.

I have passed it numerous time going through Center Harbor. Nothing seams to be happening?

Even drove to the back of office.


Looking at the Boat you are seeing the Port Side of the Boat. I can see nothing that looks like repairs have been done.

Have to see if you can get a look at the Starboard side from Lake Street?

The Sophie might be out for the season. They are taking bids to re-plate the hull but the work will take time.

The good news is that the Doris E. has had an ice cream freezer installed including the electrics needed to power it. Other Sophie amenities have been transplanted to Doris and she is delivering the mail daily.

On the downside Doris is a little slower and has an anemic sounding horn compared to the Sophie.

For fear of sounding or becoming like FLL (gawd help me) ………..

They need not go out to bid to re-plate Sophie …. the solution is easy & inexpensive (relatively speaking)




(p.s. sorry for the jab FLL :D )

Sophie C
 

while visiting God's Country this weekend a small discussion came up about the Sophie C. I was told she ran aground in ALTON BAY last summer and her Hull was damaged at that time. I never recall the Sophie C or Doris E going to Alton Bay over my past 60 years on the Lake. Now I may be mistaken and I am always willing to learn something factual. Also told Alton Bay is where all three vessel's The Mount,Doris E and Sophie C go to get holding tanks pumped out. WHAT!! I have heard a lot of folklore at the Big Lake but this seemed a little bit of a stretch. Looking forward to the feedback:)

Sophie C
 

Me again. I do recall Sophie C hitting rocks of Loon Island August 2016 due to low water around lake. However no damage reported.
Me mind takes a while to wake up:rolleye1:

Don't forget to add noodles around the water line for added protection - maybe they can be stuck on there with flex glue (can be used underwater as seen on TV). With an industrial size order of flex seal it may be a free gallon of flex glue could be added on to the order for just an additional handling fee.

The Mount, Sophie C. and Doris E. are serviced and spend the winter in Center Harbor.

At this time Sophie is out of the water in Center Harbor having her hull sand blasted in preparation for re-plating. Having been built by the US Navy during WWII Sophie has lead paint on her bottom which makes the process more difficult. There are hopes to have her back in the water before the end of the season.

Sophie C
 

Has anyone heard an update on the SOPHIE C and when she may go back into service?

Sandblasted
 

We were at the Center Harbor town docks a few weeks ago and the hull was being sandblasted (under a tented canvas). She now appears to be completely sandblasted but I don't know if the planned hull inspection has been completed or what the outcome of that inspection was.

Just a Whisper
 

We miss the loud horn blast of the Sophie C as she signals her approach to the East Bear Island mail dock. The horn signal on the Doris E is much softer than that of her big sister.

I also miss the sound of the old engine in the Mt. Washington...

Nostalgia...An affliction of age!

Went by there today in our boat. Nothing going on, except the canvas was blowing in the wind. My bet is the only water the boat will see this year is to leave the dry dock and get moored next to the dock for the winter IF they need the dry dock for some other purpose over the winter. Otherwise, it will probably sit there until spring. Not many weeks left for the season......

You have to wonder if they really need to run the Sophie at all. I only saw Doris go by with a full load a couple times. Most of the time they only had a few people and one time I counted 3-4. Can’t be cost effective with that few on board.

Swung by to see her on 9/23. Didn’t look much different than my last visit. Anyone hear what the status of the re-plating is? Looks like they’ve stripped the hull down. Still neat to see her up close and out of the water as consolation prize for her not being out in the water.

Also, anyone know when they’ll pull the Mount out again? Always thought it was every five years or so, but can’t recall the last time that happened.