A team of maritime experts recently discovered a long-lost shipwreck in Lake Michigan, nearly 130 years after it sank. The Wisconsin Historical Society announced the discovery of the John Evenson, a tugboat built in 1884, in September. The ship sank during a trip in June 1895. Two maritime historians, Brendon Baillod and Robert Jaeck, found the shipwreck using historical newspaper accounts and sonar images. The John Evenson was a tugboat used for locating and salvaging wrecked ships, towing vessels, and breaking ice.
On the day it sank, the John Evenson was sailing after receiving some repairs when its captain decided to return to work. The ship was waiting outside the Sturgeon Bay Ship canal for the next vessel that needed a tow when the steambarge I. Watson Stephenson signaled for a tug. The two vessels collided, causing the John Evenson to sink in just three minutes. Only one crew member, the ship’s engineer, was killed, and his remains washed ashore about a month later. The remaining four crew members were able to escape safely.
Despite previous attempts to search for the shipwreck, including efforts by the ship’s owners, the John Evenson remained hidden on the lake’s bottom. The owners had tried to find and salvage the ship but faced challenges due to insurance issues. They had already received insurance payouts as a total loss, and salvaging the ship would have allowed insurance underwriters to claim ownership. As a result, the ship was left abandoned on the bottom of Lake Michigan, where it remained hidden until Baillod and Jaeck’s recent discovery.
The recent finding of the John Evenson adds to the rich history of shipwrecks in Lake Michigan. The tugboat’s tragic sinking provides insight into the dangers faced by maritime vessels of the era and the challenges of salvaging wrecked ships. Through the use of historical records and sonar technology, maritime experts are able to uncover hidden shipwrecks like the John Evenson, shedding light on the past and preserving maritime history for future generations to study and appreciate.
The discovery of the John Evenson highlights the importance of maritime archaeology and the work of researchers and historians in uncovering long-lost shipwrecks. The efforts of Baillod and Jaeck, along with the Wisconsin Historical Society, demonstrate the dedication and skill required to locate and document historical shipwrecks in challenging underwater environments. By piecing together historical accounts, sonar images, and physical remains, experts can reconstruct the events leading to a shipwreck and preserve the stories of those who lived and worked aboard these vessels.
Overall, the discovery of the John Evenson in Lake Michigan serves as a reminder of the region’s rich maritime history and the many shipwrecks hidden beneath its waters. The tragic fate of the tugboat and its crew provides a glimpse into the dangers faced by sailors and the challenges of working on the Great Lakes. As researchers continue to explore and document underwater sites like the John Evenson, they contribute to our understanding of the past and ensure that these historical artifacts are preserved for future generations to learn from and appreciate.
