Humko (1946)
Gallery
img
Humko Burning. Photo By E.V. Noble, Frankfort Michigan, Purser aboard Car Ferry Wabash. AP News.
img
Humko as the Nambay in an Advertisement for Everdur and Tobin Bronze
img
Humko as Nambay Motorboating Magazine January 1948
img
Engine Room of the Humko as Nambay. Motorboating Magazine January 1948
img
Humko as Nambay Galley. Motorboating Magazine January 1948
img
Humko as Nambay Stateroom. Motorboating Magazine 1948.
img
Aft Exterior of the Humko as Nambay. Motorboating Magazine January 1948
img
The Bow of the Humko
img
Humko's Bow Straight On.
img
The Burned Hull of the Humko
img
Humko's Stack and Engine Debris
img
Humko's Bow, note the door is still open.
img
Humko's Stern
img
Close up of Humko's Stern
img
Overhead View of Humko's Machinery
By The Numbers
0
Built
0
Sank
0
Lives Lost
0
Depth (ft)
 
 
Service History

The Humko was a pleasure craft owned by the Humko Company of Tennessee. The steel hulled yacht, named Nambay, was built in 1946 at Nyak, New York for Cyrus McCormick lll of Chicago (head of International Harvester). The vessel's name was changed to Humko by Herbert Humphreys (Humko Company of Memphis) when he purchased the vessel in 1949. Humko was built at a cost of $250,000 and was lavishly outfitted and insured for $600,000.00.

"The yacht was widely traveled, wintering in the Gulf of Mexico and sailing out of Fort Lauderdale. Each spring she would travel up the Mississippi to Memphis and from there to the Great Lakes. She had a permanent crew of seven, including her captain M.M. Gothberg, who had been her master since her launch. The Humphreys family was very well-connected and frequently hosted prominent friends on the vessel's many cruises." from Brendon Baillod
Final Voyage

"TWO RIVERS, WIS. July 22,1956 --An 87-foot motor yacht from Memphis Tenn., valued at $600,000 burned and sank Sunday in Lake Michigan about six miles off Twin River Point, which is about six miles north of here.

Charles Plowman group commander at the Coast Guard station at Two Rivers, identified the yacht as the Humko, owned by Herbert Humphrey of Memphis Tenn.

Plowman said 13 persons aboard the yacht were rescued by Wabash an Ann Arbor railroad car ferry, shortly after the fire was discovered near the engine room about 11:40 a.m.

Plowman said none of the thirteen were injured.

Plowman said the yacht's captain, M.M. Gothberg, North Miami, Fla., told him the pleasure craft was valued at $600,000.

He said the burning yacht sank about 3:45 p.m. in about 400 feet of water.

Plowman said Humphrey and his wife were aboard the vessel along with seven crewmen and four guests, Mr. and Mrs. Found of Chicago and a Mr. and Mrs. McWilliams of St. Louis.

The Coast Guard commander said he was told the Humphrey party was bound for Sturgeon Bay. He said those aboard the yacht were taken by the car ferry to Manitowoc." Milwaukee Sentinel 7/23/1956.
 
Map
Confirmed Location     Unconfirmed location
 
Nearby
© 2024 - Wisconsin Sea Grant, Wisconsin Historical Society