IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

•Wreck Name: G. P. Griffith

•Type: Wooden Steamer

•Date of Incident: June 17, 1850

•Location: Approximately 20 miles below Cleveland, Lake Erie

•Depth: Unknown; wreck stranded on a sandbar about half a mile from shore

•Condition: Destroyed by fire; remains largely unknown

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The G. P. Griffith was a wooden Steamer, representative of mid-19th century passenger and cargo vessels that traversed the Great Lakes. These steamers played a critical role in connecting communities, transporting immigrants, and moving goods across the inland waterways of the United States.

HISTORY

The G. P. Griffith was an active participant in Lake Erie’s bustling maritime trade, carrying passengers and cargo across the lake. On the night of June 17, 1850, a fire broke out on board around 3:00 AM, while the Steamer was en route, about 20 miles from Cleveland. Many passengers, mostly immigrants, were asleep at the time.

Initially, hope prevailed as the shore was visible, but tragedy struck when the Steamer ran aground on a sandbar approximately half a mile from shore. The flames spread rapidly, engulfing the vessel. Panic ensued as passengers and crew attempted to escape. Some leapt into the lake, but few survived the combination of fire, smoke, and drowning.

Approximately 154 bodies were recovered, but it is estimated that 30 to 50 additional victims were never found. The beach near the wreck site became a grim scene as bodies were laid out and buried in a mass grave. Among the deceased were Captain C. C. Roby and his family, along with a large number of English, Irish, and German immigrants.

FINAL DISPOSITION

The G. P. Griffith was completely consumed by fire, leaving no functional remnants. The exact number of fatalities remains uncertain, but it stands as one of Lake Erie’s deadliest maritime disasters.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

•Current Notices: No active Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) pertain to the G. P. Griffith.

LOCATED BY & DATE

The precise location of the wreck has not been identified in modern times. It is unclear if any remnants of the vessel have survived.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY

The G. P. Griffith was destroyed by fire and left stranded on a sandbar. Given the nature of the incident, any remaining artifacts or wreckage would likely be minimal, buried, or eroded by Lake Erie’s sands. The site’s exact depth and accessibility remain unknown.

RESOURCES & LINKS

•Historical newspapers and survivor testimonies

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes Database

•NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory

TAGS

•#GreatLakes

•#Shipwrecks

•#LakeErie

•#MaritimeHistory

•#Steamer

•#GPGriffith

•#HistoricalDisasters

•#19thCenturyShipping

•#UnderwaterExploration

CONCLUSION

The sinking of the G. P. Griffith on June 17, 1850, remains one of the most tragic events in the history of Lake Erie. The fire, the significant loss of life, and the heartbreaking circumstances make it a somber reminder of the challenges and dangers of 19th-century maritime travel. The disaster underscores the vulnerability of wooden steamers to fire and the risks passengers faced aboard these vessels. Today, the G. P. Griffith is remembered as a pivotal chapter in the history of Great Lakes navigation, serving as a stark reminder of the importance of safety advancements in maritime operations.