1848 — Sep 16, freighter Goliah fire/explosion, Lake Huron, east of Pt. aux Barques, MI–18

Blanchard on date of loss and fatalities.*

— 75 Daily Sentinel and Gazette, Milwaukee, WI. “The Goliath Lost.” Sep 27, 1848, p. 2.
–>25 Civilian and Galveston Gazette, TX. “Loss of the Propeller Goliah.” Oct 26, 1848, 4.
— 18 Buffalo Commercial Advertiser, NY. “Propeller Goliath.” 10-3-1848.
— 18 Great Lakes Historical Society. Inland Seas (Volumes 16-17). 1960, p. 286.
— 18 Maritime History of the Great Lakes. “Goliath (Propeller), fire & explosion 16 Sep 1848.”
— 18 Swayze, David D. Shipwreck!…Directory…Shipwrecks on the Great Lakes. 1992, p. 99.
— 18 Western Historical Company. History of St. Clair County, Michigan. 1883, p. 440.
— 18 Wisconsin Democrat, Madison. “Loss of the Goliah. Further Particulars.” Oct 14, 1848, 2

* Blanchard on date of loss. From accounts below, one can see a variety of dates put forth as the date of loss. Our reading of newspaper accounts leads us to conclude that the Maritime History of the Great Lakes account has correctly dated the loss as on September 16, 1848.

While we put the loss of life as 18, our reading of sources below lead us to accept that it is possible that there could have been one or more passengers, as well as one or more deck hands taken on in Buffalo, not included in the fatality count. However, we do not believe that anything like seventy-five lives were lost.

Narrative Information

Great Lakes Historical Society: “In September, 1848, the 297-ton single screw, wooden freighter Goliath left Detroit for Bruce Mine with 200 kegs of… [powder]. After reaching a point on Lake Huron opposite present Kincardine she was struck by an equinoctial gale from the west and caught on fire, endangering her 18-man crew. The fire soon got out of control and when it reached the 200 kegs of powder the explosion shattered the Goliath.” (Great Lakes Historical Society. Inland Seas (Volumes 16-17). 1960, p. 286.)

Swayze: “Goliah. Package and bulk freighter. Lake Huron: An early steamer disaster on Lake Huron was the loss of the freighter Goliah, along with 18 of those aboard her. On September 13, 1848, she was in transit off Lexington, Michigan, when sparks touched her cargo of general freight, bricks and 200 kegs of blasting powder. The ship was literally blown to pieces in the resulting blast.” (Swayze, David D. Shipwreck!…Directory…Shipwrecks on the Great Lakes. 1992, p. 99.)

Western Historical Company: “Goliah burns Lake Huron, 1848. 18 lives lost.” (Western Historical Company. History of St. Clair County, Michigan. 1883, p. 440.)

Newspapers

Sep 27: “We fear that the rumor of the loss of the Propeller Goliah is but too true. Capt. Whexter of the St. Louis, tells us that he heard, while stopping to wood, on the St. Clair river, that the Cook of the Goliah had got back to Port Huron. This man reported that when off Point aux Barques, on Lake Huron, the Goliah took fore. Knowing that she had gunpowder on board & apprehensive of the result, the Cook got into the small boat alone, and pulled off 50 yards or more from the burning vessel. After a while the flames reached the powder, an explosion followed, and the Propeller immediately went down with all on board. The Cook states that he remained for some time near the spot, but could discover no fragments of the wreck, nor any persons in the water. He then pulled for shore, landed 60 miles from the River, and footed it down to Port Huron. The Goliah had a large cargo of Government stores on board and seventy five [unclear] passengers and crew. Of these, the Cook is the sole survivor. Among the passengers we hear the names of Sheldon McKnight and John Turner, late of Detroit, and Lieut. Schwartz, U.S.A., son of Adjutant General Schwartz of Michigan.” (Daily Sentinel and Gazette, Milwaukee, WI. “The Goliath Lost.” Sep 27, 1848, p. 2.)

Sep 27: “Mr. Rice, Clerk of the steamer Sultana, which arrived here last evening, informs us that Capt. Smith, of a schooner at Mackinaw, stated that on Friday the 15th inst., he saw the propeller Goliah blow up off Point au Barques, Lake Huron. Capt. Smith says that at the time of the accident happened, he was about 15 miles distant from her; that he saw a large volume of flame rise in the air, followed by a tremendous report, and a dense cloud of smoke. After the smoke had cleared away, he could discover nothing but a small dark speck remaining on the water, where the explosion took place. The Goliah was owned by Mr. Truesdale, of Detroit, and laden with government stores for Sault Ste. Marie, among which there was said to be 196 kegs of powder! Should the statement prove true, which we hope it many not, every soul on board must have instantly perished. It was not ascertained whether there were any passengers on board.” (Weekly Wisconsin, Milwaukee. “Supposed Explosion.” Sep 27, 1848, p. 6.)

Sep 29: “There as been great excitement during these few days past from Goderich Northward, along the coast, occasioned by the shore being strewed with the wreck of what must have been a vessel of considerable size. At Pint Point on the 20th inst. [Sep], the upper works of what appeared to be a steamer, were washed upon the beach, and which seems to have sustained much damage by fire….” (Huron Signal, Goderich, Ontario. “Loss of Life on Lake Huron.” 9-29-1848.)

Oct 3: “The melancholy loss of the Goliath [Goliah], as obtained from reliable sources, can no longer be a matter od doubt. She was seen by a number of persons on thee Lake Shore, and by the crew of one or more vessels. The Goliath left St. Clair River about 4 o’clock P.M., on Monday, September 13th, with a very heavy cargo consisting in part of 200 kegs powder, 20 m. brick, 30 m lumber, 40 tons hay and about 2,000 bbls. Of provisions and merchandise, destined for the Lake Superior Mining Companies. On Thursday morning [16th], soon after daylight the Propeller was seen about eight miles from shire, with her mast and smoke-pipe overboard, the wind blowing S.E. by East, and the vessel drifting toward shore. It was evident from the large volume of smoke that issued from her that she was on fire. She drifted to within two miles of the shore; the surf being very high, and the wind subsiding. About 9 A.M., the wind shifted to south west, and the burning hull receded from the shore, and when about three miles out, exploded with a tremendous noise, throwing fire and fragment to a great height.

“Efforts were made by Mr. Whitcomb and others to launch a boat with a view of rendering assistance, if possible, but the heavy breakers prevented the possibility of getting a boat beyond the surf.

“There were no less than fifteen persons on shore who saw the burning and explosion of the propeller as stated. – Detroit Advertiser.”

“From the Detroit Free Press of Monday [Oct 2] we glean the following additional particulars:

“….From the best information we can gather, there were 18 lives lost by the explosion, and we give below the names of those who left the mouth of the river, as given to me by Capt. Palmer. A number of the crew shipped at Buffalo, whose names are not known, and can only be ascertained from the books and papers in possession of the clerk of the vessel should they be found.

Henry Cottell, Captain, leaves a wife to whom he was married only three days before the
departure, resides in St. Clair county.
John E. Sehwarz, Clerk, son of the Adj. General.
Silas Campbell, first mate, from this city.
Alvah McNatt, second mate, leaves a wife and family in this city, and a large circle of
friends.
Busha, first engineer, a Frenchman, for a long time a resident in this city.
Edward Griffon, second engineer, from Detroit.
Richard Conley, cook, has a father residing in this city.
John Murphy, deck hand and the only one [deck hand] whose name is known.
William Prignon, fireman from Detroit.
Richard, waiter, from this place.
Two wheelsmen, names not know, shipped from Buffalo.
Two deck hands, names not known, shipped from Buffalo.
One fireman from Buffalo.
One deck hand, from Buffalo.
Edward Cook. Clerk in the employ of S. McKnight, Esq., of Sault St. Marie, on his way
up, long a resident in this city and a young man universally esteemed.
Wm. Dodge, Carpenter, also a passenger on his way to the Sault, a young man with a large
circle of friends and acquaintances in this city.

“Capt. Beckly, of Cleveland, was reported to have been on board the propeller, but this is not so.” (Buffalo Commercial Advertiser, NY. “Propeller Goliath.” 10-3-1848.)

Oct 14: “The charred upper works of a large vessel, without doubt a portion of the ill-fated Goliah, were driven ashore on Lake Huron, a short distance from Goderich [Ontario ~opposite Harbor Beach, MI], on the 29th. The yawl, the burnt parts of another small boat, and a quantity of provisions, flour, corn, &c., also floated on shore together with seven kegs of blasting powder. The following are the particulars of the burning of the Goliah:

“On Tuesday morning, Sept. 21st after daylight the propeller was seen about eight miles from shore, with her mast and smoke pipe overboard, the wind blowing S.E. by East, and vessel drifting towards shore. It was evident from the large volume of smoke that issued from her that she was on fire. She drifted to within two miles of the shore; the surf being very high and the wind subsiding. About 9 A.M. the wind shifted to south-west, and the burning…[unclear] receded from the shore, and when about three miles out, exploded with a tremendous noise, throwing fire and fragments to a great height.

“Efforts were made by Mr. Whitecome [unclear] and others to launch a boat with a view to render assistance, if possible, but the heavy breakers prevented the possibility of getting a boat beyond the surf.

“It is ascertained that about eighteen persons were on board, Capt. Cottrel, Capt. Beckly and Lieut. Schwartz were part of the number.

“There were no less than fifteen persons on shore who saw the burning and explosion of the propeller as stated.” (Wisconsin Democrat, Madison. “Loss of the Goliah. Further Particulars.” Oct 14, 1848, p. 2.)

Oct 25: “The fearful loss of this vessel on Lake Huron is confirmed, in its most melancholy aspects. The Detroit Free Press, of the 25th gives us the fullest particulars of the disaster, which are yet known. There is nothing yet authentic, but all the steamers and vessels from above, bring the same rumors in relation to the seeing of the light and hearing the explosion. The Free Press says we have no means of ascertaining the exact number…[unclear] board the propeller; but, from what …[unclear] gather, there was probably not less than twenty-five, who have all doubtless perished in the ill-fated wreck.” (Civilian and Galveston Gazette, TX. “Loss of the Propeller Goliah.” Oct 26, 1848, p. 4.)

Sources

Buffalo Commercial Advertiser, NY. “Propeller Goliath.” 10-3-1848. Accessed 11-24-2020 at: https://images.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca/details.asp?ID=55115

Civilian and Galveston Gazette, TX. “Loss of the Propeller Goliah.” Oct 26, 1848, 4. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=152440007

Daily Sentinel and Gazette, Milwaukee, WI. “The Goliath [Goliah] Lost.” 9-27-1848, p. 2. Accessed 11-24-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/daily-sentinel-and-gazette-sep-27-1848-p-2/

Great Lakes Historical Society. Inland Seas (Vol. 16-17). 1960, p. 286. Accessed 11-24-2020 at: https://www.google.com/search?q=freighter+goliath+fire+and+powder+explosion+lake+huron+september+%221848%22&client=firefox-b-1-d&source=lnms&tbm=bks&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj2wMCMxJztAhVDwlkKHe5dAEIQ_AUoAXoECAgQCw&biw=1013&bih=775

Huron Signal, Goderich, Ontario. “Loss of Life on Lake Huron.” 9-29-1848. Accessed 11-24-2020 at: https://images.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca/details.asp?ID=55115

Maritime History of the Great Lakes. “Goliath (Propeller), fire & explosion 16 Sep 1848.” Accessed 11-24-2020 at: https://images.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca/details.asp?ID=55115

Swayze, David D. Shipwreck! A Comprehensive Directory of Over 3,700 Shipwrecks on the Great Lakes. Boyne City, MI: Harbor House Publications, Inc., 1992.

Weekly Wisconsin, Milwaukee. “Supposed Explosion” [Propeller Goliah]. Sep 27, 1848, p. 6. At: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=120024081

Western Historical Co. History of St. Clair County, Michigan. A.T. Andreas & Co., 1883, 790 pages. Digitized by Google. At: http://books.google.com/books?id=77N6AAAAMAAJ

Wisconsin Democrat, Madison. “Loss of the Goliah. Further Particulars.” Oct 14, 1848, p. 2. At: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=33397311