morania #130 was a 4000-ton, freight barge which operated on the great lakes. on october 29, 1951, it was carrying of gasoline, when it was pushed by the diesel tug m/v "dauntless #12" into the path of the 454-foot (138-meter) steamer "penobscot" – which was proceeding seaward empty after unloading grain at buffalo, new york – on the buffalo river. when the steamer backed away, a spark ignited the gasoline aboard the barge, resulting in a fire which killed 11 sailors, including two from "penobscot". the fire burned for several days as thousands of spectators watched.