Identification & Site Information

  • Vessel Name(s): R.F. Goodman
  • Official Number: 110546
  • Year Built: 1882
  • Place Built: Buffalo, New York
  • Final Disposition Date: August 19, 1898
  • Final Location: 3 miles north of Lester River, Lake Superior
  • Coordinates: 46°51′24″N, 91°58′00″W
  • Final Depth: Wreckage status not depth-referenced; burned to waterline
  • Wreck Status: Total Loss, burned

Vessel Type

  • Type: Tug (Towboat)
  • Class: Single-stack harbor and light service Tug
  • Intended Use: Towage and harbor operations

Description

The R.F. Goodman was a wooden-hulled steam screw Tug built by Union Dry Dock Company of Buffalo, New York, with design and construction led by O’Grady & Maher. She was compact and functional, intended for regional towing and support roles on the Great Lakes. Power was supplied by a 15″ x 17″ high-pressure engine built by Sutton & Wood, fed by a 5′ x 10′ boiler operating at 130 psi.

  • Length: 15.5 m (51 ft)
  • Beam: 4.2 m (13.8 ft)
  • Depth: 2.0 m (6.7 ft)
  • Gross Tonnage: 22.72
  • Net Tonnage: 11.36
  • Propulsion: 1 screw, high-pressure engine, 1 boiler

History

  • 1882: Constructed for the Maytham Tug Line of Buffalo, NY. First mechanical failure occurred at Windmill Point, Lake Erie, soon after launching.
  • 1884–1886: Owned by Thomas Maytham; underwent minor refits and operational assignments across Lake Erie.
  • 1886: Acquired by Lake Superior Elevator Company and Union Improvement Co., Duluth, Minnesota.
  • 1889: Transferred to Charlotte E. Thompson, Duluth, MN.
  • 1893: Underwent significant winter drydock repairs and maintenance.
  • 1895: Owned jointly by William Freer and Thompson family (Charles E. & Arthur M.).
  • 1898: Caught fire off the North Shore of Lake Superior; burned to the waterline and declared a Total Loss.

Final Disposition

  • Cause of Loss: Fire onboard
  • Date of Incident: August 19, 1898
  • Casualties: None recorded
  • Cargo: None reported
  • Wreckage Status: Located in 1976 by divers; heavily deteriorated remains

Located By & Date Found

  • Year Discovered: 1976
  • Discoverers: Recreational divers (unofficial survey)
  • Method: Visual dive survey
  • Condition: Burned to waterline; wreckage minimal

NOTMARs & Advisories

  • None noted. No active Notices to Mariners apply to the site.

Resources & Links

Conclusion

The R.F. Goodman represents a class of compact but indispensable harbor tugs that formed the backbone of late-19th century Great Lakes commercial infrastructure. Though not a glamorous vessel, her service in Buffalo, Duluth, and on Lake Superior illustrates the essential support role of towboats in ore and grain commerce. The fire that destroyed her is emblematic of the risk faced by small wooden steamers operating with volatile machinery and no standardized firefighting equipment.

Keywords, Categories, Glossary Terms

  • Region: Lake Superior
  • Vessel Type: Tug (Towboat)
  • Cause of Loss: Fire
  • Material: Wood
  • Period: 1880s–1890s
  • Difficulty: Recreational Dive (with caution)
  • Hazards: Debris field minimal; potential boiler artifacts
  • Research Tags: Maytham Tug Line, Duluth harbor, Lake Superior Elevator Co.