Fisherman Uncovers Historic J.C. Ames Shipwreck in Lake Michigan’s Depths

In a twist of fate that could make any angler’s heart race, a fisherman named Christopher Thuss stumbled upon a historic shipwreck in Lake Michigan, practically shouting from the depths of history. The J.C. Ames, a tugboat built in 1881 for the lumber trade, was found lurking just nine feet below the surface near Manitowoc, Wisconsin, as announced by the Wisconsin Historical Society on May 16, 2025.

Thuss, out on a foggy day’s fishing trip, spotted the wreck and promptly alerted officials, sparking excitement among historians. This wasn’t just any old boat—it was a powerhouse of its time, costing a hefty $50,000 to construct and known as one of the lake’s mightiest tugs. After surviving a collision in 1889 and changing hands multiple times, the J.C. Ames was deliberately sunk in 1923, its engine and boiler stripped before it was towed out, set ablaze, and abandoned in a spectacle that drew crowds.

Tamara Thomsen, a maritime archaeologist with the Wisconsin Historical Society, couldn’t hide her enthusiasm: “This ship sat forgotten for over a century, only to pop up by sheer luck. It’s like history decided to send us a postcard.” She noted that such abandonments were common practice back then, with ships often burned for public amusement. The wreck still boasts a massive 10.5-foot propeller, though only small artifacts remain.

What makes this find even juicier? Thuss’s step-grandmother, dubbed 'Shipwreck Suzze' Johnson, was a legend in her own right, spotting wrecks from the air in her powered parachute, including three in Lake Michigan over three days in 2015. Talk about a family knack for uncovering the past!

With only three of an estimated 13 abandoned ships in Manitowoc’s Maritime Bay located so far, Thomsen says discoveries like this rely on perfect timing, often after storms shift the lakebed. This find joins other recent treasures, like 11 ancient canoes found in a Madison lake, one dating back to 2500 B.C., and another tugboat, the John Evenson, uncovered last year. Lake Michigan, it seems, is spilling its secrets one wreck at a time.