IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

• •Wreck Name: GOLIATH
• •Type: Wooden Propeller Vessel
• •Date of Incident: September 1848
• •Location: Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron
• •Coordinates: Not documented
• •Depth: Unknown; vessel reportedly exploded and debris scattered
• •Condition: Total destruction due to fire and explosion

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The GOLIATH was a wooden-hulled propeller-driven vessel designed for cargo transport on the Great Lakes. Its robust construction and capacity made it suitable for hauling heavy and diverse cargoes, including provisions, building materials, and supplies critical to the burgeoning mining operations in the Lake Superior region. The vessel’s design reflected the technological advancements of the mid-19th century, with steam propulsion allowing for greater speed and efficiency compared to traditional sailing vessels.

HISTORY

The GOLIATH was a significant vessel in the early Lake Superior trade, owned by D.N. Barney of Buffalo. It was tasked with transporting cargo from Buffalo and other ports to support the copper mining companies in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. The vessel regularly carried essential supplies such as powder, hay, and provisions, which were critical for the remote mining communities.

In September 1848, the GOLIATH departed with a heavy cargo bound for the mining region. During its voyage, the vessel caught fire in Saginaw Bay under stormy conditions. The fire quickly spread, likely fueled by the highly combustible cargo, including barrels of powder. The resulting explosion tore the vessel apart, scattering debris and leaving no chance for survival.

The crew and passengers, estimated at around 25 individuals, perished in the tragedy. Reports indicate that Captain Perry Palmer was not aboard at the time, having left the vessel earlier due to illness. Despite the efforts of nearby vessels and onshore witnesses to render aid, the storm and high surf prevented any effective rescue attempts.

FINAL DISPOSITION

The GOLIATH was completely destroyed by the explosion, leaving only wreckage and debris. Parts of the cargo, including barrels and provisions, washed ashore at various locations around Saginaw Bay. The vessel’s remains were never recovered or formally documented, making it one of the more enigmatic wrecks of Lake Huron.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

•Obstruction: No modern advisories or Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) are associated with the wreck of the GOLIATH.

•Advisories: Mariners navigating Saginaw Bay should exercise caution due to its history of shipwrecks and challenging weather conditions.

LOCATED BY & DATE

•Discovery: No formal discovery of the GOLIATH wreck has been recorded.

•Date: Wreckage was reported washing ashore soon after the incident in September 1848.

RESOURCES & LINKS

Primary Sources:

• •Historical records from the Buffalo Daily Courier and other mid-19th century newspapers detailing the tragedy.
• •Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Archives documenting shipwrecks on the Great Lakes
• •David Swayze Shipwreck File: Comprehensive shipwreck records including the GOLIATH.
• •Great Lakes Ships Database: Information on Great Lakes vessels and their fates.
• 3DShipwrecks – Goliath

3D Model – Goliath

CONCLUSION

The loss of the GOLIATH in 1848 remains one of the most catastrophic maritime disasters on Lake Huron. The combination of combustible cargo, fire, and an explosion left no survivors and resulted in significant property loss. This tragedy underscores the perils of 19th-century Great Lakes navigation, especially during the early days of industrial transport.

As the wreckage remains undiscovered, the story of the GOLIATH continues to be a stark reminder of the risks faced by mariners and the volatility of early Great Lakes trade. The vessel’s fate contributes to the broader narrative of the Great Lakes as both a lifeline for commerce and a graveyard for countless ships.

KEYWORDS

#GOLIATH #LakeHuronShipwreck #SaginawBay #GreatLakesMaritimeHistory #19thCenturyShipwreck #LakeSuperiorTrade #MaritimeDisaster #ShipwreckPreservation