George Goble (1819–1906) was a prominent shipbuilder in Oswego, New York, significantly contributing to the maritime industry on the Great Lakes during the 19th century. An immigrant from Kinsale, Ireland, Goble established himself in Oswego, where he constructed numerous vessels that played vital roles in regional commerce and transportation.
Shipbuilding Contributions:
Between 1856 and 1906, Goble built a variety of vessels, including schooners, tugboats, and steam yachts. Notable ships constructed by Goble include:
- Daniel Lyons featured a centreboard trunk for stability and a full schooner rig of three masts. The cargo hold depth and modest beam reflect its canal-adapted design.
- George Goble (1862): A schooner also known as M.C. Cameron, built in Oswego. Constructed in 1872 by shipbuilder G. Goble in Oswego, New York,
- George C. Finney US 10545 (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, niagaradivers.com Year built: 1866 at Oswego, New York by G. Goble (niagaradivers.com Vessel type: Wooden, originally a three-masted schooner (later converted to two), used for bulk wheat freight (niagaradivers.com) Dimensions: ~130 ft length × 26 ft beam × 10 ft draft; gross tonnage ~301 tons, net ~286 tons (niagaradivers.com)
- Great West was a large, wooden, single-deck Great Lakes barkentine initially built for grain and general cargo trade. Her construction utilized standard mid-19th century methods with full timber hull framing and a square-rigged foremast. She operated extensively across Lakes Ontario, Erie, Michigan, and Huron for nearly 25 years before being abandoned and scuttled in Chicago.
- James Platt – she was built to carry substantial cargoes across the Great Lakes.
- Nassau was a wooden bulk freight schooner constructed in 1872 by shipbuilder George Goble in Oswego, New York. Measuring 41.8 metres (137 feet) in length with a beam of 7.6 metres (25 feet) and a depth of 3.4 metres (11 feet), she had a gross tonnage of 303 tons and a net tonnage of 288 tons. Designed for transporting bulk cargoes across the Great Lakes, the Nassau was a common sight on Lake Erie during the late 19th century.
- William I. Preston (1861): A schooner measuring 142 feet in length, which served in the Great Lakes trade.
- Knight Templar (1865): A schooner that contributed to the maritime activities of the era.
- West Side was a two-masted wooden schooner, a vessel type extensively used throughout the Great Lakes for transporting bulk commodities such as lumber, pulpwood, coal, and grain. Schooners like the West Side were known for their fore-and-aft rigging, which allowed for superior maneuverability in the often unpredictable winds of the Great Lakes. The vessel’s design made her well-suited for long-distance trade routes, particularly those involving the timber trade between Canada and the United States.
Personal Life:
George Goble was married to Sarah Collins, and together they had several children, including George W. Goble (1844–1912), Nicholas Collins Goble (1847–1909), and Joseph Heron Goble (1849–1934).
Legacy:
Goble’s shipyard in Oswego was instrumental in the development of maritime commerce on the Great Lakes. His vessels were known for their craftsmanship and durability, serving various purposes from cargo transport to passenger services. The ships he built were integral to the economic growth of the region, facilitating trade and transportation across the Great Lakes.
In recognition of his contributions, the H. Lee White Marine Museum and the Oswego Maritime Foundation have celebrated Goble’s legacy, highlighting his impact on the local maritime history.
George Goble’s work remains a testament to the rich shipbuilding heritage of Oswego, reflecting the city’s importance as a maritime hub in the 19th century.