The “Marie Sophie” was a typical example of the deep water trading brigs, which sailed to all parts of the world during the latter half of the 19th century. These vessels established themselves in the specialist trades, which best suited their size and rig: the dried fish trade from Newfoundland to South America; palm oil from West Africa to the United Kingdom; fruit and nuts from the Mediterranean countries; the West Indies sugar trade; and grain from California. Built by J. Wempe of Elsfleth, Germany, in 1879, the Marie Sophie measured 126 feet in length by 26 feet I the beam with a tonnage of 234 gross.
