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.
Legacy Notes & Full Historical Record
This section preserves the original unedited Shotline content for this wreck so that no historical detail is lost as we transition to the new logbook format.
Propeller Freighter Goliah (often spelled Goliath) – Built 1846; Lost September 13, 1848
Identification & Build
- Name Variations: Goliah in official documents; Goliath commonly cited in newspapers and secondary sources.
- Built: 1846 at St. Clair, Michigan by Burton S. Goodsell
- Type: Wood-hulled propeller package/bulk freighter
- Tonnage: 279 gt; approx. 131 ft long
- Official Number: Not clearly documented, but listed under Goliah in registry
Final Voyage & Catastrophe – September 13, 1848
- Route: Loaded with general freight—lumber, bricks, barrels of flour, and approx. 200 kegs of blasting powder—departed Detroit, heading toward Bruce Mines (Lake Huron)
- Incident: Sparks from her smokestack ignited an upper-deck fire. In the midst of a gale, the flames reached the powder, resulting in a catastrophic explosion.
- Location: Off Lexington/Point Aux Barques, Lake Huron
- Casualties: All 18 aboard were killed; only the ship’s cook survived after escaping in a boat and reaching shore 60 mi away
- Aftermath: Debris drifted ashore near Goderich, Ontario, days later
Wreck & Exploration
- A wreck discovered off Harbor Beach, MI—marked on dive charts as “Goliath”—rests at ~104 ft. The site includes upright engine and boiler remnants and Ericsson twin-prop machinery
- It represents one of the earliest recorded propeller-steamer wrecks on the Great Lakes
Historical Significance
- The explosion highlights the dangers of storing high explosives aboard early steam vessels
- Marks the loss of the first Great Lakes propeller steamer destroyed beyond salvage
- The wreck’s preserved engine and structural remains provide a rare snapshot into mid-19th-century marine engineering
Research & Exploration Opportunities
| Focus Area | Recommended Action |
|---|---|
| Archival Newspapers | Scan Weekly Wisconsin (Sept 27, 1848) and Michigan/Ontario papers for survivor testimony, explosion reports, and owner info |
| Registry Records | Locate 1846 documentation under “Goliah” to confirm official number, ownership, and build specifics |
| Wreck Survey Plans | Partner with remote-sensing teams to survey the Harbor Beach wreck, confirm identity via machinery and layout |
| Technological Study | Analyze engine and prop configuration to understand early Ericsson twin high-pressure systems direct from the hull |
| Engagement & Conservation | Collaborate with Michigan maritime archaeology to maintain site integrity and share discoveries with public |
Summary
- Name: Goliah (Goliath)
- Built: 1846, St. Clair
- Lost: Sept 13, 1848—smokestack spark → fire → explosion during storm
- Casualties: 17 crew + passenger lost, 1 survivor
- Wreck: Discovered in 104 ft near Harbor Beach, features intact engine, boiler, prop systems
- Significance: Earliest propeller freighter loss and benchmark for explosive risk on steam vessels