Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: J. Oswald Boyd
- Type: Steel-hulled propeller fuel tanker, twin-engine
- Year Built: 1913
- Builder: Bow, McLachlan & Co., Paisley, Scotland
- Dimensions: 244 × 44 × 20 ft; 1,806 GRT / 1,273 NRT
- Registered Tonnage: 1,806 GRT / 1,273 NRT
- Location: Simmons Reef, north side of Beaver Island
- Official Number: 223043
- Original Owners: Gotham Marine Corp., New York, NY
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Steel-hulled propeller fuel tanker, twin-engine.
Description
The J. Oswald Boyd was a steel-hulled propeller fuel tanker built in 1913. It measured 244 feet in length, 44 feet in beam, and had a depth of 20 feet. The vessel was registered with a gross tonnage of 1,806 and a net tonnage of 1,273.
History
The J. Oswald Boyd was owned by Gotham Marine Corp. based in New York, NY. It served primarily in the transportation of fuel, specifically gasoline, across the Great Lakes.
Significant Incidents
Significant incidents include:
- Stranded on Simmons Reef during a blizzard on November 11, 1936, while carrying approximately 900,000 to 1,500,000 gallons of gasoline.
- All ~20 crew members were rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard.
- On January 1, 1937, a salvage operation led to a catastrophic explosion while siphoning gasoline, resulting in the destruction of the ferry Marold II and the deaths of five local salvors.
Final Disposition
The burned tanker remained stranded until June 1937, when it was moved to Detour, Michigan, and ultimately scrapped in 1942. Structural remnants were likely dismantled during salvage operations, and no intact wreck remains in situ.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of the J. Oswald Boyd is no longer intact, as it was scrapped in 1942. The site may contain debris from the vessel, but no significant structure remains.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”j-oswald-boyd-us-223043″ title=”References & Links”]
The J. Oswald Boyd serves as a reminder of the hazards faced by fuel tankers in the early 20th century, particularly during winter operations. The tragic explosion of the Marold II during salvage efforts highlights the dangers associated with handling volatile cargo.
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.
Identification & Vessel Details
- Name: J. Oswald Boyd
- Official Number: 223043
- Type: Steel-hulled propeller fuel tanker, twin-engine
- Built: 1913 by Bow, McLachlan & Co., Paisley, Scotland
- Registered Owner: Gotham Marine Corp., New York, NY
- Dimensions & Tonnage: 244 × 44 × 20 ft; 1,806 GRT / 1,273 NRT (The Free Library, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Final Voyage & Incident – November 11, 1936, Lake Michigan
- While in a blizzard, J. Oswald Boyd stranded on Simmons Reef, north side of Beaver Island, loaded with approximately 900,000–1,500,000 gal gasoline (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
- U.S. Coast Guard rescued all ~20 crew from Beaver Island (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
- The ship was abandoned and left stranded through fall and winter.
Post-Stranding Salvage & Explosion – January 1, 1937
- Salvage crews siphoning gasoline using the ferry Marold II caused a horrific explosion while transferring cargo on January 1, 1937 (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Interlochen Public Radio).
- The explosion and fire destroyed Marold II, killing five local salvors, whose names are memorialized on Beaver Island (Interlochen Public Radio).
- Debris from Marold II scattered across Boyd‘s deck, illustrating the force of the blast (Interlochen Public Radio).
Final Disposition
- The burned tanker remained stranded until June 1937, when it was moved to Detour, Michigan, and ultimately scrapped in 1942 (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
- Structural remnants were likely dismantled during salvage operations; no intact wreck remains in situ.
Casualties & Impact
- Boyd crew: None lost
- Marold II crew: All five perished in the mid-winter explosion (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Interlochen Public Radio).
Cause & Hazards
- Stranding resulted from a winter blizzard that caused navigational error (The Free Library).
- The subsequent explosion highlights the risk of gasoline vapor in enclosed spaces when transferring volatile cargo without adequate ventilation or safety protocols.
Sources & Verification
- Interlochen Public Radio’s “Maritime Time: Free gas and a deadly explosion”, and Beaver Island Historical Society records (Interlochen Public Radio).
- Great Lakes Vessel History database confirms ID, build info, and rescue details (greatlakesvesselhistory.com).
- Local Michigan salvage accounts, Lost in Michigan blog, and WordPress Great Lakes Shipwreck Files confirm explosion and victim names (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
Significance & Research Notes
- The J. Oswald Boyd incident underscores early 20th-century fuel tanker hazards during winter operations.
- Its aftermath—the fatal Marold II explosion—illustrates the dangers of in situ salvage interruption of volatile cargo.
- While the Boyd remains scrapped, the event remains a culturally important maritime tragedy for Beaver Island, complete with memorials at Whiskey Point.