Memorial for steamship tragedy placed at Alaskan beach

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) – A memorial has been placed on a beach northwest of Juneau to remember the Canadian passenger liner that sank a century ago, killing about 350 people.

The Juneau Empire reports Juneau members of Pioneers of Alaska dedicated a 10,000-pound slab of granite and quartz Saturday at Eagle Beach State Recreation Area to remember the sinking of the SS Princess Sophia.

The 245-foot steamship sank on October 25, 1918, after grounding on Vanderbilt Reef in Lynn Canal, northwest of Eagle Beach.

Igloo 6 members of the Alaskan fraternal organization had worked for about five years to raise funds and develop the memorial.

Igloo 6 King Regent Fred Thorsteinson says the sinking was a major event in history of Alaska and Yukon Territory that had lasting effects.
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Information from: Juneau Empire, http://www.juneauempire.com

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