Klondike Goldrush Era Riverboat Found

A.J. Goddard, named for her owner (Seattle's Pacific Ironworks), was built in San Francisco and shipped to Alaska in pieces. It was carried over the Chilkoot Trail and re-assembled at Lake Bennett. Bennett was the staging area for the vast movement of goldrushers and supplies in 1897-98. It became one of more than 250 steamboats that carried miners and supplies on the Yukon River. In October 1901 it sank in heavy winds, ice, and waves at the north end of Lake Laberge.

Three crew, the captain, cook, and fireman drowned and were buried when after their bodies washed ashore. A crewman and engineer managed to make it to shore and lived to recount the sinking.

The archaeological find is a window on life aboard a riverboat during this era, as the vessel and its contents were perfectly preserved in the cold waters.

"The boiler door is open and the firewood they tossed in to get try to get up enough steam to get out of trouble is still in there with charring on it," marine archaeologist James Delgado said. "Somebody shrugged off their coat and kicked off their shoes as they tried to swim for it and that's still lying on the deck."

The vessel had its own repair shop, blacksmith's forge, an anvil, and a workbench. Dishes, stove, and canvas tent on the main deck provide a window on crew life on board. The most interesting find was a music machine with 3 vinyl records, one in such good condition it can be played today.

Digital imagery, to map the well preserved remains, has now been completed. Visit the 3D imagery to find out more about the work

An interesting side story is that of Clara Goddard, wife of AJ Goddard, who became the first female riverboat pilot in the north.