Great Lakes shipping faces record losses in 1854 with 384 disasters

In 1854, Great Lakes shipping faced 384 disasters, resulting in $2.1 million in losses, equivalent to $78.8 million today. This year was the costliest, though not the deadliest, with 119 lives lost. Among the incidents, 70 were shipwrecks. The year also saw quick freezing of lakes in December, leading to additional vessel damage. A notable event was the collision of the John J. Audubon and Defiance on October 20, 1854. Both ships sank in Lake Huron, but their crews survived. They now rest intact on the lake's bottom.