John J. Audubon (brig)
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.jpg) Top view of the John J. Audubon | |
| History | |
|---|---|
 United States | |
| Name | John J. Audubon |
| Operator | E. G. Merrick and Captain D. C. Pierce |
| Builder | G. & W. Jones |
| Launched | 1854 |
| Completed | 1854 |
| Acquired | 1854 |
| In service | 1854 |
| Out of service | 21 October 1854 |
| Fate | Sank following collision, October 21, 1854 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Brig |
| Tonnage | 370 tons (old style) |
| Length | 148 ft (45 m) |
| Notes | Built for Great Lakes freight transport |
John J. Audubon was a wooden two-masted brig built in 1854 in Black River (Cleveland), Ohio by G. & W. Jones. Owned by E. G. Merrick and Captain D. C. Pierce of Detroit, the vessel was designed for rapid cargo transport across the Great Lakes. She was carrying a heavy load of railroad iron when it sank after a collision with the schooner Defiance on October 21, 1854.[1]
Collision and sinking
On the foggy night of October 20, 1854, John J. Audubon was sailing northbound on Lake Huron en route to Chicago with 401 bars of railroad iron aboard.[3]
Around 1:30 a.m. on October 21, she was struck midship by the southbound schooner Defiance through dense fog approximately five miles off Presque Isle, Michigan.[4] The collision opened a deep gash in John J. Audubon's hull, causing her to sink rapidly. Defiance was also fatally damaged and sank shortly after a short drift.[5]
Despite the speed of the disaster, all crew members from both vessels escaped in lifeboats and were later rescued by passing ships, including Ocean Wave and the steamer Mayflower.[6] At the time of the sinking, John J. Audubon was estimated to be insured for $15,000, though salvage was deemed impossible due to the depth of water.[7]
