Maritime historians Brendon Baillod and Bob Jaeck have located the long-lost steam tug John Evenson near Algoma, Wisconsin, USA, using historical records and advanced remote sensing technology.
The tugboat John Evenson, circa 1890. Photo credit: Brendon Baillod, courtesy of the Harold J. Benash Family via press release.
Built in 1884 in Milwaukee, the John Evenson was a 54-foot harbor and towing tug. In June 1895, while aiding the steamer I. Watson Stephenson in maneuvering through the Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal with several schooner barges in tow, disaster struck. As the tug’s captain, John Laurie, crossed the bow of the larger vessel, it collided with the Evenson. The tug capsized and sank instantly. Although four of the five crew members were rescued, fireman Martin Boswell, working below deck, tragically went down with the vessel.
Decades of mystery
The sinking of the John Evenson was widely reported in maritime publications, but conflicting accounts of its location hampered efforts to find it. Estimates ranged from 50 to 300 ft (~15 to ~91m) of water depth. Divers began searching in the 1980s, and a cash reward was even offered by a local dive club, yet the wreck remained elusive for over a century.
Discovery using historical clues
Baillod and Jaeck meticulously analyzed archival materials, including contemporary accounts and a customs house wreck report filed by the captain. Their research revealed a consistent cluster of potential locations about four miles northeast of Algoma. On September 13, during the first morning of their planned three-day search, their sonar equipment detected a massive boiler within minutes of deployment. They used a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to confirm the discovery, revealing the tug’s propeller, steam engine and boiler. With all of the tug’s machinery and hull bed present, the wreck offers a remarkable glimpse into 19th-century steam technology.
Preservation and documentation
Wisconsin State Underwater Archaeologist Tamara Thomsen and diver Zach Whitrock joined the team to survey and document the site. Using over 2,000 high-resolution images, they created a detailed 3D photogrammetry model. Plans are underway to nominate the site for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places and open it for sport divers.
This marks the third significant shipwreck discovery by Baillod and Jaeck in two years. They located the schooner Trinidad in 2023 and the Margaret A. Muir earlier this year. Their efforts aim to connect Wisconsin communities with their maritime heritage, working alongside with local historical organizations to interpret and preserve these underwater wreck sites. Both historians are active members of the Wisconsin Underwater Archaeology Association, a nonprofit organization that promotes public engagement in underwater history through citizen science initiatives.
Explore the 3D model of the John Evenson.
