A foggy day on Lake Michigan led to the accidental discovery of the sunken tugboat J.C. Ames—rekindling urgent calls to preserve America’s underwater history.
At a Glance
- Wisconsin angler finds the 1881-built J.C. Ames tugboat in Lake Michigan
- The tugboat was scuttled in 1923 and remained hidden for over 100 years
- Absence of invasive quagga mussels suggests recent exposure of the wreck
- Historians hail the find as vital to preserving maritime heritage
- Discovery reignites calls for protective measures against invasive species
A Century Below the Surface
Angler Christopher Thuss thought it would be just another foggy fishing trip on Lake Michigan—but what he reeled in wasn’t a catch, it was history. Beneath the waves lay the long-lost tugboat J.C. Ames, a vessel built in 1881 and intentionally sunk in 1923.
The tugboat, once powered by a formidable 670-horsepower engine, played a crucial role in transporting lumber and railway cars. Thuss’ find marks a stunning addition to Wisconsin’s maritime legacy—especially as invasive quagga mussels had yet to infest the site, indicating the wreck was only recently uncovered.
Watch: Historic Tugboat Found in Lake Michigan
A Race Against Time
Historians are hailing the find, but also issuing warnings. The Wisconsin Historical Society confirmed the vessel’s identity and raised concerns about threats to such artifacts. “It sat there for over a hundred years and then came back on our radar completely by chance,” said maritime archaeologist Tamara Thomsen. “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.”
Invasive species like quagga mussels—infamous for destroying submerged wooden structures—pose an existential threat to the Great Lakes’ underwater heritage. Their absence on the J.C. Ames may give preservationists a narrow window to document and safeguard the wreck before nature takes its toll.
History’s Wake-Up Call
The unexpected resurfacing of the J.C. Ames is more than a novelty—it’s a wake-up call. Experts argue that America’s submerged cultural resources are vanishing due to environmental degradation and bureaucratic inertia. Each shipwreck represents a tangible chapter of history. Left unprotected, those chapters will be lost forever.
As efforts mount to preserve what’s left of the J.C. Ames, communities are encouraged to advocate for stronger heritage protections. These forgotten vessels are not just relics—they are national treasures waiting to tell their stories. And thanks to one fisherman, the J.C. Ames will get that chance.
