The Wisconsin Historical Society recently announced that a new shipwreck has been discovered using historical newspaper accounts and high-resolution side scan sonar. Maritime historians Brendon Baillod and Robert Jaeck located the remains of the steam tugboat John Evenson north of Algoma.
The John Evenson was a steam-powered wooden tugboat built in 1884 in Milwaukee. The tugboat was used to tow ships into and through the Sturgeon Bay ship canal, as well as salvage shipwrecks.
On June 5, 1895, the John Evenson crossed the bow of steambarge I. Watson Stephenson while attempting to tow the boat. The Stephenson was traveling fast and hit the Evenson’s stern, which swung the tug across its bow flipping it over. The tug sank in only three minutes, with one loss of life. The John Evenson was discovered in 42 feet of water with its machinery intact.
Learn more at wihist.org.
Wisconsin Historical Society Maritime Preservation
