- Historic John Evenson Tug Located After 129 Years Underwater.
- Baillod and Jaeck Locate Historic Shipwreck Using Remote Sensing Technology.
- Wreck of Steam Tug Lost in 1895 Located After Centuries-Long Search.
Brendon Baillod and Bob Jaeck, both Wisconsin maritime historians, have located the wreck of the lost steam tug John Evenson. Their success was due to a thorough search conducted using history-based records combined with advanced remote sensing technology, reports Algoma Wisconsin.
History of the John Evenson Tug
The John Evenson was a 54-foot steam tug built in 1884 in Milwaukee to function as a harbour and towing vessel. The tug was lost on June 5th, 1895, while assisting the large steamer I.
Watson Stephenson in entering the Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal in the process of towing a string of schooner barges. In this case, the tug’s captain made a bad calculation and crossed in front of the larger vessel, resulting in a collision. The John Evenson capsized and sank immediately. While five crew members were rescued, Martin Boswell, the tug’s fireman who was asleep below decks, tragically went down with the vessel.
Challenges in Identifying the Wreck
Although the sinking of the John Evenson was an open secret, accounts were varying regarding the exact location of the shipwreck site, with one saying that its depth ranged between 50 and 300 feet. Divers attempted to find it in the 1980s without success. A local dive club even offered a cash reward and still, nothing seemed to yield to the searchers’ results.
The Breakthrough in the Search
Baillod and Jaeck began collecting as much historical information as they could gather. These included the original wreck report of the customs house by Captain John Laurie. They then cross-compared all given locations, finally homing in on a concentration of reports that indicated an area located roughly 4 miles northeast of Algoma, Wisconsin.
On Friday, September 13, 2024, at 9 AM, the historians launched their remote sensing equipment. Within five minutes of beginning what was supposed to be a three-day search, their sonar picked up what looked like a large boiler on the screen. They used a remotely operated vehicle to confirm the wreck. They inspected further details such as the propeller of the ship, the steam engine, and the boiler. The hull and machinery of the tug were still intact and provided a valuable glimpse into 19th-century steam technology.
Documentation and Future Plans
Baillod and Jaeck contacted Wisconsin State Underwater Archeologist Tamara Thomsen, who came back with diver Zach Whitrock the following day to record the wreck. They used over 2000 high-resolution images to develop a 3D photogrammetry model, capturing the site in great detail.
An interactive model can be used to explore the wreck virtually. Plans are in the works to nominate the site into the National Register of Historic Places. Eventually, the wreck will be opened up to sport divers.
Previous Discoveries by Baillod and Jaeck
It is the third significant shipwreck found for Baillod and Jaeck in the past two years. In June 2023, they found the schooner Trinidad remains. Most recently, in June 2024, they discovered the schooner Margaret A. Muir.
The work of the underwater archaeologists not only connects the port communities of Wisconsin to the rich maritime history but also works in partnership with local organizations to preserve and interpret the underwater sites.
Contribution to Underwater Archeology
Baillod and Jaeck are an active member of the Wisconsin Underwater Archeology Association, a nonprofit organization that encourages public participation in underwater historical research. Thanks to their efforts, they continue to illuminate Wisconsin’s maritime heritage.
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Source: Algoma Wisconsin
