130-Year-Old Lake Michigan Shipwreck Found Off The Coast of Algoma, Wisconsin

An exciting discovery was made when the 130-year-old shipwreck of the tugboat John Evenson was found in Lake Michigan, just four miles northeast of Algoma. Historians Brendon Baillod and Bob Jaeck were discovered on September 13th, 2024. The search, planned to last three days, took only five minutes once they deployed their equipment, which included a remotely operated vehicle (ROV).

The John Evenson sank over a century ago in June 1895, while it was helping a steamer enter the Surgeon Bay Ship Canal. The tugboat, built in Milwaukee in 1884, was a towing and harbor tug measuring 45 feet long. The sinking was widely reported in newspapers of that time, but the exact location of the wreck remained a mystery. Some reports suggested it sank in 300 feet of water, while others said it was 50 feet deep. Over the years, divers tried to find the wreck, and a local dive club even offered a reward for its discovery, but the tug remained lost until now.

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Baillod and Jaeck, using historical records and reports, mapped out possible locations for the wreck. They relied on the original customs house wreck report filed by the ship’s captain, John Laurie. The search eventually led them to the area near Algoma, Wisconsin, where they found the wreck’s hull and machinery in good condition, showcasing steam technology from the late 1800s.

The discovery team was joined by State Underwater Archeologist Tamara Thomsen and diver Zach Whitrock, who helped survey and document the wreck. This find marks the third major shipwreck discovery in the past two years for Baillod and Jaeck. In June 2023, they found the Trinidad schooner, and in June 2024, they located the Margaret A. Muir schooner.

Baillod and Jaeck use these shipwreck discoveries to connect the people of Wisconsin’s port communities with the region’s rich maritime history. They collaborate with local history organizations to preserve and interpret these underwater sites, ensuring they remain part of Wisconsin’s heritage.