Sailing Adventures of Captain Hans. J Hansen and Captain Rudolph B. Morbeck
The Sailing Adventures of Captain Hans J. Hansen (1856 - ?)
His Only Home in Bay View (1896, 1898-1900)
2323 South Burrell Street (torn down)
His Ships and Sailing Adventures While Living at 2323 S. Burrell St.
No photo discovered: the schooner Essie M. Thompson, 1896; Sailing adventures as captain: none discovered.
Above: the schooner Vermont, probable 1898-1900; Sailing adventures as captain: In November 1900, sank in a storm at Big Bay De Noc, 80 miles northeast of Green Bay on the southwest corner of Michigan’s upper peninsula, bound for Milwaukee with a cargo of Christmas trees, none of the crew (which likely included brothers Charles and Rudolph Morbeck) were reported injured. The ship was subsequently raised and returned to service. It’s possible Hans Hansen may have then sold the Vermont to Charles and Rudolph Morbeck in late 1900 after this accident, but certainly before the 1901 sailing season.
Photo courtesy the Historical Collections of the Great Lakes, Bowling Green State University.
His Ships and Sailing Adventures Before Bay View
No photo discovered: the schooner George Barber, 1879-94, co-owned with fellow Bay View Lake Captain Hans Olsen; Sailing adventures as crew and later probably taking turns as captain: none discovered.
No photo discovered: the schooner Spy, 1881-83, one-third owner, never sailed aboard
No photo discovered: the schooner S. Thal, 1891-93, owner, never sailed aboard
His Ships and Sailing Adventures After Bay View
Unknown: when he leaves Bay View in 1901, his living location and any connection with any ships are unknown
The Sailing Adventures of Captain Rudolph B. Morbeck (1866-1941)
His First Home in Bay View (1897-99)
2323 South Burrell Street (torn down)
His Ships and Sailing Adventures While Living at 2323 S. Burrell St.
Above Left: The schooner Minnehaha (center ship), 1897, tied up next to the schooner Vermont which Rudolph and brother Charles would serve on as mates to fellow Bay Viewer captain Hans Hansen in June 1900, and likely purchased from him just a month or so later that both brothers likely co-owned and co-captained. There are several schooners named Minnehaha and, while it is unknown if this is the Morbeck’s, it is probable due to its being tied up to the Vermont in this photo which IS confirmed as connected to them just a couple years later. A later news article states the Minnehaha had three masts, however, no Minnehaha of record had three, just several with two and another with four. It’s probable the article was referring to the Vermont when discussing a three-masted schooner connected to Rudolph Morbeck (photo: Richard J. Wright, Bowling Green State University, Alpena County George N. Fletcher Public Library, Thunder Bay Research Collection; Sailing adventures while captain (probably alternating with brother Charles as captain, Rudolph certainly captain during 1893-94 when Charles left briefly to command the South Side): none discovered
His Second Home in Bay View (1900-probable 1905)
809 East Bay Street (torn down)
His Ships and Sailing Adventures While Living at 809 E. Bay St.
Above: the schooner Vermont, probable 1900-01; Sailing adventures as captain: In November 1900, sank in a storm at Big Bay De Noc, 80 miles northeast of Green Bay on the southwest corner of Michigan’s upper peninsula, bound for Milwaukee with a cargo of Christmas trees, none of the crew (including brothers Charles and Rudolph Morbeck) were reported injured. The ship was subsequently raised and returned to service. It’s possible Hans Hansen may have then sold the Vermont to Charles and Rudolph Morbeck in late 1900 after this accident, but certainly before the 1901 sailing season.
Photo courtesy of the Historical Collections of the Great Lakes, Bowling Green State University.
Not pictured, no photo found: the racing yacht Illinois, 1902-probable 1906; Sailing adventures as captain: On the evening of Thursday 03 July 1902, in company with two other sailing yachts (the Beatrice and Nina) enroute from Milwaukee to probable Chicago to watch the Fourth of July yacht races the next day, “…had a terrible experience off Racine in a fierce gale. The crew of the Beatrice jumped overboard and reached the pier at Racine where they were rescued by the life-saving crew….(both) the Nina and Illinois arrived in port minus some of their sails. On 08 August 1903, won the Lake Michigan Yachting Association Regatta race in Milwaukee Bay.
His Third Home in Bay View (1906-28)
1302 East Idaho Street
His Ships and Sailing Adventures While Living at 1302 E. Idaho St.
Not pictured, no photo found: the racing yacht Illinois, 1906; Sailing adventures as captain: none reported
Not pictured, no photo found: the racing/pleasure yacht Merlin, 1907-27; Sailing adventures as captain: On 27 August 1911, rescued two men whose rowboat had overturned in Lake Michigan three miles from shore and were exhausted, the current taking them further out into the lake; On 26 August 1912, won the Uihlein Cup Race by the Milwaukee Yacht Club, starting at 9:20 a.m., and finishing at 7:35 p.m.; In both 1914 and 1915, was the first yacht launched and ready to start the sailing season at the Milwaukee Yacht Club. News reports stated, “…with its freshly painted hull, newly varnished spars and bright work presents a pretty picture.” In mid-July 1914, departed on the Nordberg family’s annual summer cruise in northern waters;
Photos unable to be used due to copyright restrictions: the racing/pleasure sailing yacht Clio, 1928-1938. In July 1928, the Clio was the subject of a photo feature in the Milwaukee Journal; Sailing adventures as captain: none discovered for 1928 while living on Idaho St.
His Fourth Home in Bay View (1929-41)
3143 South California Street
His Ships and Sailing Adventures While Living at 3143 S. California St.
See photos above of the Clio: the racing/pleasure sailing yacht Clio, 1928-1938; Sailing adventures as captain: On 13 July 1931, one of four Milwaukee Yacht Club boats to sail in the annual Chicago-to-Mackinac Island Race, the longest fresh water yacht race in the world; On 03 October 1931, won the Privateer Cup trophy at the Milwaukee Yacht club race; 34 On 09 August 1937, returned to Milwaukee from a month-long cruise in northern waters; In the 1938 Chicago-to-Mackinac Island Race, “…passed by 22 boats in the night, only to fall behind…when daylight came;” In July 1936, participated in the annual Chicago-to-Mackinac Island Race
His Ships and Sailing Adventures Before Bay View (1886-97)
Not pictured (no photo discovered): The schooner Vernie M. Blake, 1889; Sailing adventures while captain: On 14-15 July 1889, while at anchor with no one aboard, dragged anchor in the wind and hit the yacht White Wings and damaged it, tearing it from its anchor heading towards a collision with the breakwater. Both were rescued and towed back to anchor by the US Lifesaving service, no injuries reported.
See photo previously above: the schooner Minnehaha (likely 1890-97, co-owned with brother Rudolph); Sailing adventures while captain (probably alternating as captain with brother Charles as co-owner, and certainly during 1893-94 when Charles left briefly to command the South Side): none discovered
