Frank H. Goodyear – Lake Huron Freighter Shipwreck (1910)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Frank H. Goodyear
• Type: Bulk Freighter
• Year Built: 1902
• Builder: American Ship Building Co., Lorain, OH
• Dimensions: Length 436 ft (133 m); Beam 50 ft (15.2 m); Depth of hold 28 ft (8.5 m)
• Registered Tonnage: 4,815 GRT / 3,438 NRT
• Depth at Wreck Site: 49 m / 160 ft
• Location: Lake Huron, ~35 mi N of Pointe aux Barques, MI
• Coordinates: Approx. 43°54'N, 82°45'W
• Official Number: 121240
• Original Owners: Initially owned by American Ship Building Co., later transferred to Buffalo & Susquehanna Steamship Co.
• Number of Masts: Not specified

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Licensed as a steel-hulled Great Lakes bulk freighter, primarily for iron ore transport.

Description

Constructed of steel with a single deck and hold beams, equipped with large hatches at 24 ft intervals. Powered by coal-fired boilers and a triple-expansion steam engine. Distinctively featured a custom-built Pullman “Sinnemahoning” railcar, complete with plush interior and grand piano, mounted athwart on deck—serving as private quarters for owner Frank H. Goodyear.

History

• Ownership & Operation: Enrolled Cleveland on 16 Sept 1902, later re-enrolled Buffalo (23 Sept 1902). Initially owned by American Ship Building Co., quickly transferred (1904) to the Buffalo & Susquehanna Steamship Co., managed by John Mitchell of Mitchell Transp. Co.
• Namesake: Commissioned by Frank H. Goodyear (1849–1907), lumber and railroad magnate.
• Typical Cargo & Route: Frequently loaded with iron ore at Duluth; downbound to Cleveland/Buffalo.

Significant Incidents

• Collision Details: In dense fog at ~6 a.m. on 23 May 1910, the upbound steamer James B. Wood (514 ft) rammed the Goodyear amidships, creating a massive breach. Hatch covers violently flew off, injuring crew, and the ship sank in under 4 minutes.
• Casualties: Out of 22–23 onboard, only 5 crew and 2 passengers survived; 17–18 lives lost (reports vary).
• Aid & Aftermath: Distressed calls heard by nearby Sir William Siemens, but no survivors retrieved. A U.S. Steamboat Inspection investigation followed.
• Insurance & Replacement: Fully insured; replacement ship commissioned by John Mitchell in 1910.

Final Disposition

• Discovered ~2000–2003 by Undersea Research Associates (URA), lying in ~160 ft (49 m) of water, ~30–35 mi N of Pointe aux Barques. The wreck rests upright, with bow twisted toward surface, visible trench, gaped hull hole, and intact Pullman railcar, bar, piano, hot tub among debris.

Current Condition & Accessibility

No official hazard bulletins recorded. Wreck is in deep water; strong currents may pose dive hazards.

Resources & Links

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The Frank H. Goodyear stands as one of the most dramatic Great Lakes wrecks—a testament to industrial-age luxury (the Pullman railcar) smashed by the perils of maritime navigation. Technically intriguing and historically significant, it offers a captivating dive for experienced tech divers. Due to its depth, cold, and structural fragility, it’s recommended for advanced mixed-gas teams. Archaeologically, it remains largely intact, preserving unique artifacts and providing insight into early 20th-century shipboard life and Big Lake commerce.