Jos. Goldsmith – Lake Erie Tug Shipwreck (1901)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Jos. Goldsmith
• Type: Wooden propeller steam tug
• Year Built: 1882
• Builder: Wolf & Davidson, Milwaukee, WI
• Dimensions: 82 ft (25 m); Beam; Depth of hold
• Registered Tonnage: 60 gross / 30 net tons
• Location: Toledo Harbor channel, Lake Erie
• Official Number: 76317

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Jos. Goldsmith was a wooden propeller steam tug, primarily used for towing operations in harbor settings.

Description

Built in 1882 by Wolf & Davidson in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the Jos. Goldsmith measured 82 feet in length, with a beam of 18 feet and a depth of 8 feet. It had a registered tonnage of 60 gross tons and 30 net tons.

History

The tug served mainly in Toledo, Ohio, where it was engaged in towing dredges and barges within the harbor channel. Its operational history reflects the typical duties of harbor tugs during that era.

Significant Incidents

• Date: July 26, 1901
• Location: Toledo Harbor channel, Lake Erie
• Event: Caught in a severe squall while towing the dredge No. 2 near a crib in the straight channel
• Outcome: Both tug and dredge foundered
• Crew: Rescued — zero fatalities reported
• Aftermath: Wreckage remained in the channel and was struck two days later (July 28) by the heavily laden steamer Cadillac, causing further damage.

Final Disposition

The wreck of the Jos. Goldsmith was likely removed after being labeled as abandoned in records by 1903, as it posed a navigational hazard in the Toledo Harbor channel.

Current Condition & Accessibility

As of the last records, the wreck is presumed salvaged or cleared, with no remaining structure visible in the harbor.

Resources & Links

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The Jos. Goldsmith serves as a historical example of the risks associated with towage operations in harbor environments, particularly during sudden weather changes.