Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Goliah
- Type: Wood-hulled propeller package/bulk freighter
- Year Built: 1846
- Builder: Burton S. Goodsell
- Dimensions: 131 ft (40 m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: 279 gt
- Depth at Wreck Site: 31.7 m / 104 ft
- Location: Off Lexington/Point Aux Barques, Lake Huron
- Official Number: Not clearly documented
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Vessel Type: Propeller Freighter
Description
Goliah (often spelled Goliath) was a wood-hulled propeller package/bulk freighter built in 1846 at St. Clair, Michigan by Burton S. Goodsell. The vessel was approximately 131 feet long and registered at 279 gross tons. It is noted for being one of the earliest recorded propeller-steamer wrecks on the Great Lakes.
History
The Goliah was loaded with general freight, including lumber, bricks, barrels of flour, and approximately 200 kegs of blasting powder when it departed from Detroit, heading toward Bruce Mines on Lake Huron. On September 13, 1848, while navigating in a gale, sparks from the smokestack ignited an upper-deck fire. The flames quickly reached the stored blasting powder, resulting in a catastrophic explosion that destroyed the vessel.
Significant Incidents
- September 13, 1848: The Goliah suffered a catastrophic explosion due to a fire ignited by sparks from the smokestack, resulting in the loss of all 18 aboard, with only the ship’s cook surviving.
Final Disposition
After the explosion, debris from the Goliah drifted ashore near Goderich, Ontario, days later. The wreck was discovered off Harbor Beach, Michigan, where it rests at approximately 104 feet deep. The site includes remnants of the upright engine, boiler, and Ericsson twin-prop machinery.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of the Goliah is accessible for diving and is marked on dive charts as ‘Goliath.’ It features intact engine and boiler remnants, providing a rare glimpse into mid-19th-century marine engineering.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”goliah-1846″ title=”References & Links”]
The Goliah represents a significant historical loss as the first Great Lakes propeller steamer destroyed beyond salvage, highlighting the dangers of storing high explosives aboard early steam vessels.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
Join Shotline to read more →