The Sailing Adventures of Captain Herman Krones & Captain Thomas Kearns
Each month in our corresponding YouTube channel, “Bay View: Town of Lake CAPTAINS!” we post videos about two of the total 71 lake captains that once called Bay View home.
Not found on those videos are the sailing adventures of these captains. While these can be found in the chapter of each captain in the book, “Bay View: Town of Lake CAPTAINS!” on sale now by Volume in both e-book and paperback on Amazon.com, we decided to also include them here in the newsletter for double the coverage because these are so interesting! These stories can also be combined with the free-self guided walking tours of Bay View’s lake captains’ homes on our website, historicbayviewlakecaptainssociety.com, using you phone! Check it out!
This month’s documented sailing adventures are designated for Captain Joseph A. Brownell and Captain Hawley M. Boyce. They’re placed under the photo and address of each one’s Bay View homes so it’s possible to know what sailing adventures they had while actually lived there. Enjoy!
The Sailing Adventures of Captain Herman Krones (1872 - 1946)
His Only Home in Bay View (1920-46)
1176 South Superior Street (1920-25)
3288 South Illinois Avenue (1926-46)
His Ships and Sailing Adventures While Living Here
Above: The steam barge Helen Taylor, 1921-30 (left photo: Edward J. Dowling Collection University of Detroit-Mercy, Alpena County George N. Fletcher Public Library, Michigan); note the wide beam (width) in the right photo, perfect for hauling junk!; Sailing adventures while captain: in 1923 sank off St. Helena island Michigan and was raised; on 01 January 1930 sank FOR THE SECOND TIME in lake Michigan 8 mi north of Michigan City, Indiana (sources for both in text).
No photo discovered: the tugboat Knight Templar, owner and likely captain, 13-18 August 1894; Sailing adventures while captain: none discovered.
His Ships and Sailing Adventures Before Bay View
No photo discovered: the schooner Willard A. Smith, 22 August 1890-17 February 1891); Sailing adventures while captain: none discovered.
Above left: The schooner Lem Higby, October 1893-May 1894 (photo: Edward J. Dowling Collection University of Detroit-Mercy, Alpena County George N. Fletcher Public Library, Thunder Bay Research Collection); Sailing adventures while captain: November 1893, ran aground at Frankfort, Michigan. 43
Above center: the schooner William Aldrich, 1902-03; Sailing adventures while captain: none discovered. Photo courtesy F.C. St. Clair, Great Lakes Historical Society, the Alpena County George N. Fletcher Public Library, Thunder Bay Research Collection.
Above right: The schooner Lomie A. Burton, 1911; Sailing adventures while captain: “Stranded about three-quarters of a mile from U.S. Life Saving Service Station, northwest of station, on November 17, 1911; crew of six saved, but vessel a total loss. Was on voyage from Boyne City, MI, for Milwaukee, WI, with lumber.” 44 Herman Krones was the last recorded owner. 45 Further details of this accident are provided as follows: “On Thursday night, November 16, 1911, with Captain Krones in command, the schooner Burton sought refuge in the harbor at South Manitou Island during a snowstorm, strong wind, and rough sea. The heavy wind caused her to drag anchor and the crew had no chance to do anything before she went on the beach three-quarters of a mile northwest of the station early Friday morning. With the seas sweeping her full length, the Burton broke in two forward, and things began to look blue for the crew who had gathered aft. The lifesavers arrived on the scene and succeeded in getting a line over to the wreck to set up the beach (rescue) apparatus. The crew were hauled ashore one at a time in the breeches buoy, being nearly exhausted from cold and exposure, as they were soaking wet. The rescued men were Captain Krones, Sam Johnson, John Nelson, Martin Thompson, and Tom Wall. The last man was brought ashore at 5:30 Friday morning, less than half an hour before the vessel went to pieces.” 46 Photo courtesy Kenneth Thro, the Alpena County George N. Fletcher Public Library, Thunder Bay Research Collection.
Above: the schooner George W. Wescott, 1917-19; Sailing adventures while captain: none discovered; dismantled and beached at Milwaukee in 1918. 47 Photo courtesy the Alpena County George N. Fletcher Public Library, Thunder Bay Research Collection.
The Sailing Adventures of Captain Thomas Kearns (1855-1926
His First Home in Bay View (1888-97)
538 East Linus Street
His Ships and Sailing Adventures While Living at 538 E. Linus St.
Above: the schooner Conquest, 1888-93; living here with brother and fellow Bay View Captain Patrick H. Kearns from 1888-91 (captain and owner of the schooner Lavinda); Sailing adventures while captain (and owner): On 05 October 1888, transported to Milwaukee from Hedgehog Harbor, Wisconsin (at the very northern edge of Door County), all that could be salvaged from the wrecked schooner Fleetwing, to include its “masts, rigging, and all movable material.” 26 On 29 April 1889, ran aground on Peninsula Point, Michigan, at the very top of Green Bay across from Escanaba, Michigan, and was pulled off by a tugboat two days later with no damage and able to continue on to its destination. 27 On 27 August 1892, was cheered by a crowd on the East Water Street Bridge as it raised from its topmast “a big Cleveland and Stevenson flag” (promoting the US Presidential Election Campaign of Grover Cleveland and Adlai Stevenson) and began its departure from Milwaukee harbor. 28 The Conquest, at the time Thomas Kearns was captain and owner, was one of the oldest schooners and also one considered one of the “pioneer” vessels on the lakes. 29 Photo courtesy the Alpena County George N. Fletcher Public Library, Thunder Bay Research Collection.