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JOHN B. LYON As if four accidents in one season were not enough, it must have been difficult to believe that the steamer could be involved in a fifth. But she had one more ordeal to face. This fifth mishap would prove to be the most costly. In a gale on Lake Michigan on November 26h, the steamer was severely mauled. The vessel had left Buffalo for Chicago with coal. In tow of the steamer was the schooner JOHN M. HUTCHINSON. According to Captain John Perew, the steamer had just entered Lake Michigan when she encountered a tremendous sea from the south. She was in the trough of the waves and the rolling became violent. When near Bailey's Harbor, the 10 chains supporting her smokestacks broke. The starboard stack fell overboard and sank. The short stack fell on the engine house and crushed the roof of the boiler house. This caved in one of the boiler casings and broke several steam pipes. The damage allowed all steam to escape, and the LYON was helpless. The steamer was forced to let her consort go. The LYON's sails were raised and she headed for shore. When she drew 7 fathoms, her anchors were let go and effort was made to repair damage to the pipes so that the other boiler might be used to regain some power. After some 15 hours, this was accomplished. With the winds moderating, the steamer was able to reach Chicago under steam and _ sail. Upon inspection at Chicago the damage was estimated at $2,000. The HUTCHINSON also suffered at the hands of the gale. When the engine of the steambarge became disabled the schooner was cast loose. She was driven ashore at Plum Island and required assistance in being released. Mercifully for the LYON, the season drew to a close. Young Photo 1882 started out no better than 1881. Sometime in the spring, the JOHN B. LYON was involved in a mishap with the steamer CITY OF ROME. Apparently, when at Lime Kiln Crossing, the ROME became entangled in the towline between the LYON and her consort. Considerable damage was done to the LYON. Captain Perew libeled the ROME for $2,500 in July to cover the repairs. Later that same year in late August, the steamer did considerable damage to her wheel requiring its replacement for a second time in two years. Just after the close of the season, another problem arose for the owners of the LYON. While the steamer was being towed out of Miller's Drydock, to be placed in winter layup, an accident occurred which severely injured Charles Hanson, an employee of the drydock. As the steamer was being towed out of the dock, Mr. Hansen took hold of the wheel to steer her. While the steamer was being winded the wheel spun around with such velocity that it threw Hanson against the pilothouse, resulting in injuries to his head and a broken arm. he repercussions of the accident kept the LYON's owners in court for the next five years. The injuries sustained by Mr. Hansen caused his permanent disablement. Fortunately for her owner, this was the last mishap for the 1882 season. In 1883 the JOHN B. LYON continued her string of accidents. On June 4, the steamer ran aground in Lake St. Clair in the St. Clair flats. She was released within a couple of days by the tug MARTIN SWAIN. Later that same year in mid-November, the steamer ran aground on White Shoals, off Peche Isle in Lake St. Clair. She was released the following day and continued for Chicago loaded with