Long-lost tugboat John Evenson found in Lake Michigan’s depths with machinery intact after sinking in 1895 near Door County

Imagine searching for something without even knowing where to begin—then, suddenly, you find it.

That’s exactly what happened when two maritime historians stumbled upon the wreck of a tugboat that had been lost to the depths of Lake Michigan for nearly 130 years.

Brendon Baillod and Robert Jaeck, working with the Wisconsin Historical Society, were still setting up their equipment when they unexpectedly discovered the remains of the John Evenson, a steamboat built in 1884.

An Unexpected Discovery

Brendon Baillod and Robert Jaeck couldn’t believe their luck.

“We just hadn’t even started our search,” Jaeck recalled.

Yet, there it was—the wreck of the John Evenson, resting 42 feet below the water’s surface, remarkably well-preserved.

The duo had used historical newspaper accounts along with high-tech sonar to zero in on the tugboat’s location.

When they finally dropped a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) into the water, it confirmed what they had suspected: they had found the long-lost tugboat.

A Tugboat’s Tragic End

The John Evenson was no ordinary ship. During its heyday, the tugboat played a vital role in towing ships across the Great Lakes, frequently seen navigating around Sturgeon Bay.

But on June 5, 1895, disaster struck.

While attempting to tow the much larger I.W. Stephenson through the Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal in Door County, Wisconsin, the smaller tugboat sailed directly in front of the larger ship.

The two vessels collided, and within minutes, the John Evenson was fully submerged.

While four crew members managed to survive the ordeal, the ship’s engineer, Martin Boswell, who had been below deck during the collision, tragically lost his life.

Efforts to Recover the Wreck

Finding the wreck wasn’t always the plan.

Back in 1897, two years after the sinking, the tugboat’s owners—the Laurie Brothers—had vowed to raise the John Evenson from the lake’s floor.

However, their plans quickly fell apart.

After receiving an insurance payout for the boat, they realized that if they salvaged the wreck, the insurance underwriters would have the right to claim ownership of the tugboat.

As a result, the John Evenson remained at the bottom of Lake Michigan, untouched for over a century.

A Treasure in the Depths

The discovery in 2024 brought the ship’s story full circle.

The vessel’s machinery, including its steam engine, giant propeller, and hull-bed, was still intact, providing a hauntingly clear picture of the ship’s last moments.

Historical enthusiasts and divers alike had long been searching for the wreck, with a local dive club even offering a $500 reward to anyone who could locate it.

Now that it has been found, what’s next for the John Evenson?

The Wisconsin Historical Society will continue to study the site, potentially unlocking more secrets about the tragic day in 1895 when the tugboat met its fate.

This discovery not only sheds light on a lost piece of maritime history but also serves as a reminder of the unpredictable and powerful forces at play on the Great Lakes.