G. P. GRIFFITH

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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: Wreck site depth unknown; 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, typical of those used for passenger and cargo transport on the Great Lakes during the mid-19th century. These steamers were vital for the movement of people and goods across the vast inland waterways of the United States, connecting cities and facilitating trade and migration.

HISTORY #

The G. P. Griffith was a significant vessel on Lake Erie, carrying passengers and cargo across the lake. On the fateful night of June 17, 1850, while the steamer was en route and about 20 miles from Cleveland, a devastating fire broke out at around 3:00 AM. The passengers, most of whom were asleep, were quickly awakened by the spreading flames. Initially, there was little panic as the shore was visible, leading many to believe that rescue was imminent.

However, disaster struck when the steamer ran aground on a sandbar approximately half a mile from shore, immobilizing the vessel. The flames rapidly engulfed the ship, and with no means of escape, the situation turned dire. Panic ensued, and many passengers leaped into the lake in a desperate attempt to flee the fire, but only a few were able to swim to safety.

FINAL DISPOSITION #

The G. P. Griffith was completely consumed by the fire, leading to one of the most tragic maritime disasters in the history of Lake Erie. The exact number of lives lost is uncertain, as the ship’s records were destroyed in the fire. Approximately 154 bodies were recovered, but it is believed that an additional 30 to 50 bodies were never found, remaining at the bottom of the lake. The shore near the wreck site became a scene of unimaginable sorrow, with the recovered bodies laid out along the beach, later buried in a mass grave without shrouds or coffins.

Among the many victims were Captain C. C. Roby and his family, several named individuals, and a large number of English, Irish, and German immigrants. The disaster left only a handful of survivors, most of whom lost family members in the tragedy.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #

No current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) are related to this wreck site.

LOCATED BY & DATE #

The precise location of the wreck has not been documented in modern times, and it is unclear if any remains of the G. P. Griffith have been located.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY #

The wreck of the G. P. Griffith was destroyed by fire and may have disintegrated or been buried in the sands of Lake Erie. Given the passage of time and the nature of the disaster, any remaining artifacts or structure would likely be in poor condition and difficult to locate. The site’s exact depth and accessibility are unknown.

RESOURCES & LINKS #

Primary Sources: Historical newspaper accounts, survivor testimonies, and maritime records.
Further Reading: Great Lakes Shipwrecks, NOAA’s Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory, Google Books for historical accounts related to Lake Erie shipwrecks.

CONCLUSION #

The sinking of the G. P. Griffith on June 17, 1850, stands as one of the most tragic maritime disasters on Lake Erie, marked by the significant loss of life and the heartbreaking circumstances of the fire. The incident highlighted the dangers faced by passengers aboard steamers during that era and remains a somber chapter in the history of Great Lakes navigation.