By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Concealed RepublicanConcealed Republican
  • Home
  • Latest News
  • Guns
  • Politics
  • Videos
Reading: Long-lost J.C. Ames tugboat from 1881 found in Lake Michigan after a century
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Font ResizerAa
Concealed RepublicanConcealed Republican
  • News
  • Guns
  • Politics
  • Videos
  • Home
  • Latest News
  • Guns
  • Politics
  • Videos
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
  • Advertise
  • Advertise
© 2022 Foxiz News Network. Ruby Design Company. All Rights Reserved.
Concealed Republican > Blog > News > Long-lost J.C. Ames tugboat from 1881 found in Lake Michigan after a century
News

Long-lost J.C. Ames tugboat from 1881 found in Lake Michigan after a century

Jim Taft
Last updated: May 20, 2025 12:14 pm
By Jim Taft 4 Min Read
Share
Long-lost J.C. Ames tugboat from 1881 found in Lake Michigan after a century
SHARE

A long-lost shipwreck sitting in the waters of Lake Michigan was recently discovered by a fisherman – to the surprise of local officials.

The Wisconsin Historical Society announced the discovery on May 16. The tugboat, which was called the J.C. Ames, was built for the lumber trade in 1881. It was intentionally sunk in 1923.

The angler, Christopher Thuss, discovered the ship on a foggy day near the coast of Manitowoc, where it was sitting nine feet below the lake’s surface. After spotting the shipwreck, he reported the find to officials.

ARCHAEOLOGISTS UNCOVER CENTURIES-OLD SHIPWRECK BENEATH HISTORIC CITY: ‘UNIQUE SOURCE OF KNOWLEDGE’

“These kinds of discoveries are always so exciting because it allows a piece of lost history to resurface,” Tamara Thomsen, a maritime archaeologist at the Wisconsin Historical Society, said in a statement. “It sat there for over 100 years and then came back on our radar completely by chance.”

Thomsen added, “We are grateful that Chris Thuss noticed the wreck and reported it so we can share this story with the Wisconsin communities that this history belongs to.”

The J.C. Ames cost $50,000 to build. It was “one of the largest and most powerful tugs on the lakes,” according to officials. 

It was damaged in a collision in 1889, but was repaired and changed owners several times before it was discarded.

ARCHAEOLOGIST SHEDS NEW LIGHT ON ASTONISHING DISCOVERY OF WRECKED SLAVE SHIPS: ‘STRANDED ON THE COAST’

Thomsen told Fox News Digital the ship had “outlived its usefulness” by the time that it was intentionally sunk.

“Abandoning ships that had outlived their use was how it was done back in the day.”

“[The ship] was dismantled at Manitowoc with its engine/boiler removed, towed outside the harbor, burned and abandoned in 1923,” the historian explained.

She added, “Abandoning ships that had outlived their use was how it was done back in the day.”

Close-up of ship details underwater

Thomsen also noted that it became somewhat of a spectacle for the ships to be set on fire while they were dismantled.

“They set fire to them and people came out to watch,” the expert said.

For more Lifestyle articles, visit foxnews.com/lifestyle

Thomsen also estimates that 13 ships were abandoned in the Maritime Bay near Manitowoc. Divers have only been able to locate three, but they’re still keeping their eyes peeled for them.

“We only find them when they are uncovered by storms if someone sees them before they are covered again – it needs to be perfect timing,” she said.

Split image of diver and shipwreck

The maritime archaeologist also noted that a large propeller, measuring 10.5 feet in diameter, still sits at the shipwreck site. 

Other than that, only small artifacts were found.

The find is especially remarkable because Thuss’s step-grandmother garnered a reputation for finding shipwrecks herself, according to the Wisconsin Historical Society.

“‘Shipwreck Suzze’ Johnson, who took up the hobbies of operating a powered parachute and ultralight plane as a retiree, has incredibly discovered a variety of shipwrecks from the air in the recent past, including three shipwrecks in three days in Lake Michigan in 2015,” the historical organization said.

Rotting wood from shipwreck

Last May, the Wisconsin Historical Society identified 11 ancient canoes in a Madison lake, including one boat that dated back to 2500 B.C.

Later that year, the organization announced the discovery of the John Evenson, a tugboat built in 1884 that was also discovered in Lake Michigan.

Read the full article here

You Might Also Like

New Mexico Sheriff Blasts Criminal Justice Policies After Kids Caught With Loaded Gun

Another Trump win: Mexico agrees to send more troops to border, pause tariffs

College football: Bill Belichick steals 4-star recruit from Deion Sanders

CCRKBA Gives DOJ List of ‘Dirty Dozen’ States to Investigate for 2A Abuses

New York Gun Control Laws Put an End to Decades-Old Event

Share This Article
Facebook X Email Print
Previous Article Clint Eastwood Reemerges Before 95th Birthday Amid Personal Loss and Reflection Clint Eastwood Reemerges Before 95th Birthday Amid Personal Loss and Reflection
Next Article Patel’s plan to dismantle the deep state starts with a moving van Patel’s plan to dismantle the deep state starts with a moving van
Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

- Advertisement -
Ad image

Latest News

Donald Trump Orders U.S. Nuclear Submarines to be Repositioned After Medvedev’s Warning [WATCH]
Donald Trump Orders U.S. Nuclear Submarines to be Repositioned After Medvedev’s Warning [WATCH]
Politics
Judicial activism strikes again in 14th Amendment decision
Judicial activism strikes again in 14th Amendment decision
News
Fetterman slams party’s anti-Israel turn amid Palestinian state push
Fetterman slams party’s anti-Israel turn amid Palestinian state push
News
Pick One: G1 (FAL) vs G3 (H&K) w/ John Keene
Pick One: G1 (FAL) vs G3 (H&K) w/ John Keene
Guns
Lizzo Mocks Sweeney Ad, Internet Fires Back With Savage Responses [WATCH]
Lizzo Mocks Sweeney Ad, Internet Fires Back With Savage Responses [WATCH]
Politics
Tortured by Bureaucrats
Tortured by Bureaucrats
Politics
© 2025 Concealed Republican. All Rights Reserved.
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use
  • Press Release
  • Advertise
  • Contact
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?