The propeller GOLIATH met with a tragic accident on Lake Huron in September 1848. The vessel was carrying a heavy cargo, including provisions, hay, powder, and other goods, destined for the Lake Superior Mining Companies. It was reported that the GOLIATH caught fire on Saginaw Bay, and the explosion resulting from the fire blew the vessel to pieces.
Various vessels and people on shore reported seeing the burning and explosion. Efforts to render assistance were hindered by the stormy weather and high surf. The crew and passengers on board, estimated to be around 25 people, were unable to save themselves, given the severity of the storm and the dangerous conditions.
The names of some of the crew and passengers who were on board at the time of the tragedy were mentioned, including the captain, Perry Palmer, who had left the vessel due to illness. Unfortunately, none of them survived. The vessel was owned by D.N. Barney of Buffalo, and it was reported to be fully insured.
The cargo carried by the GOLIATH was mostly shipped from Buffalo and other cities, and it belonged to various mining companies in the copper country. The materials in the cargo, including powder, lumber, and hay, were highly combustible, which likely contributed to the rapid spread of the fire.
In the aftermath of the incident, wreckage and cargo were found washed ashore at different locations. Some barrels were marked with the name “City Mills, D. Harvey.” The total loss of life and property was significant, and it added to the list of other vessels lost in the Lake Superior trade over the years.
Despite efforts by authorities and locals to rescue the property that washed ashore, there was little hope of finding any survivors due to the severity of the storm and the explosion. The tragic loss of the GOLIATH remains one of the many maritime accidents on the Great Lakes, with the exact cause of the fire and explosion remaining unknown.
