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Historic Tugboat Wreck Discovered in Lake Michigan

The historic J.C. Ames wreck, a glimpse into 19th-century maritime history discovered in Lake Michigan.

News Summary

A local angler in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, has uncovered the wreck of the J.C. Ames, a 19th-century tugboat submerged in Lake Michigan for over a century. Confirmed by maritime archaeologist Tamara Thomsen, this significant find shines a light on the rich maritime history of the Great Lakes. The discovery of the J.C. Ames adds to the tally of shipwrecks identified in 2024, revealing ongoing research into submerged historical treasures and their preservation.

Manitowoc, Wisconsin – A significant marine discovery has taken place off the coast of Manitowoc, Wisconsin, where a local angler named Christopher Thuss uncovered the wreck of the J.C. Ames, a 19th-century tugboat. The vessel has been submerged in Lake Michigan for over a century and was found at a depth of nine feet near a breakwater.

The wreck was confirmed by maritime archaeologist Tamara Thomsen from the Wisconsin Historical Society, underscoring its historical relevance. The J.C. Ames was constructed in 1881 by the Rand and Burger shipbuilding company in Manitowoc. Once hailed as one of the largest and most powerful tugboats on the Great Lakes, it featured a robust 670-horsepower engine that allowed it to transport lumber as well as railway cars throughout its operational years.

After several years of service, the tugboat fell into disrepair and was scuttled in 1923 when it was no longer needed. The wreck had been hidden under layers of sand for decades until winter storms in 2024 exposed it, further highlighted by the absence of quagga mussels, an invasive species that has become prevalent in the Great Lakes and can damage wooden shipwrecks.

Experts, including Thomsen, are expressing enthusiasm regarding the discovery, stating that it provides an opportunity for history to resurface. The J.C. Ames is not the only wreck recently uncovered; in 2024 alone, maritime historians have also identified the wrecks of the John Evenson and the schooner Margaret A. Muir, alongside the steamship Milwaukee, which sank in 1886 following a collision.

Overall, the Great Lakes have a long history of shipwrecks, with over 6,000 vessels believed to have sunk since the late 1600s. In Wisconsin’s waters alone, approximately 780 wrecks have been identified, but only about 250 of these have been documented extensively. The successful identification of the J.C. Ames adds to a growing collection of marine archaeological finds in the region, which has seen a remarkable 17 shipwrecks discovered in 2024 thus far.

This discovery not only enriches Wisconsin’s maritime history but also highlights the importance of underwater exploration and the preservation of these submerged relics. The ongoing efforts to locate and study shipwrecks in the Great Lakes may provide further insights into the historical uses of these waterways and the vessels that navigated them.