The Wisconsin Historical Society (WHS) made an exciting announcement on Facebook recently: they successfully recovered the John Evenson from its underwater resting place. This historic tugboat, which was constructed in 1884, tragically sank 11 years later during a fateful journey in June 1895.
Maritime historians Brendon Baillod and Robert Jaeck utilized newspaper reports from the time of the incident and sonar imaging technology to pinpoint the exact location of the John Evenson, lying 42 feet below the surface of the lake.
Ironically, the John Evenson frequently served as a means to locate and transport wrecked vessels. However, on the day it sank, the tugboat had recently undergone some routine repairs. In his eagerness to regain lost income, the captain hastily put the ship back into service.
According to the WHS, on that eventful day, they were waiting outside the Sturgeon Bay Ship canal for the next vessel that needed assistance to enter the canal. The steam barge I. Watson Stephenson, with two barges in tow, sent a signal for a tug.
The John Evenson rushed towards the ship and attempted to grab the line but ended up crossing the Stephenson’s path. Due to the Stephenson’s high speed, it collided with the Evenson’s stern, causing the tug to flip over as it swung across its bow.
The John Evenson was engulfed by the sea in a mere three minutes. Fortunately, four out of the five crew members managed to flee, but tragically, one lost his life. His body was found after a month, washed ashore, while the whereabouts of the ship remained a mystery for over a hundred years.
An attempt was made to locate John Evenson, but unfortunately, it had to be called off due to insurance reasons. The owners of the tugboat had already received the insurance payout and considered it a total loss.
If they were to salvage and restore the boat for future use, the insurance underwriters could assert their ownership rights. Consequently, Baillod and Jaeck took it upon themselves to excavate the remains over 130 years later.
Source: Newsbreak