Wisconsin historians discover wreck of 19th-century steam tug John Evenson
Wisconsin maritime historians Brendon Baillod and Bob Jaeck have located the wreck of the steam tug John Evenson, which sank in 1895 off the coast of Algoma, Wisconsin. The discovery was made on 13 September, just five minutes into what was supposed to be a three-day search mission. “It was almost like the wreck wanted to be found”, said Baillod.
The Evenson, a 16.5-metre wooden steam tug built in 1884 in Milwaukee, was lost while assisting the steamer I. Watson Stephenson through the Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal. During the operation, the tug crossed the bow of the much larger vessel and was struck, capsizing instantly. Four of the five crew members were rescued, but fireman Martin Boswell was tragically lost as he worked below deck when the tug went down.
Reports on the wreck’s location varied widely in marine newspapers, with some suggesting it lay in shallow waters while others claimed depths of up to 90 metres. Despite multiple search attempts over the decades, including one offering a cash reward, the Evenson eluded divers until Baillod and Jaeck conducted their search using historical records and remote sensing technology.
The historians began their mission by deploying sidescan sonar off the coast of Algoma. Just minutes into the search, the tug’s massive boiler appeared on the sonar screen. They immediately sent down a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), which confirmed the discovery by capturing images of the tug’s giant propeller, steam engine and boiler, as well as the hull-bed, offering a remarkable view into the steam technology of the late 1800s.
3D photogrammetry model
The wreck of the John Evenson now rests approximately 15 metres beneath the surface, about eight kilometres north-east of Algoma, near the western shore of Lake Michigan at the southern tip of the Door Peninsula. Following the discovery, Wisconsin State underwater archaeologist Tamara Thomsen and diver Zach Whitrock surveyed and documented the wreck. A 3D photogrammetry model was created from over 2,000 high-resolution images, providing a detailed record of the site. Plans are underway to nominate the wreck for the National Register of Historic Places and open it to sport divers.
This is the third significant shipwreck that Baillod and Jaeck have uncovered in the past two years. In addition to the John Evenson, the pair previously discovered the intact remains of the schooners Trinidad and Margaret A. Muir. Baillod and Jaeck are members of the Wisconsin Underwater Archeology Association, a non-profit citizen science group dedicated to preserving underwater resources and cultural artefacts. The organization offers the public opportunities to participate in the study and documentation of Wisconsin’s rich maritime history.
