Humko (1946)
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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 Humphreysnfamily was very well-connected and frequently hosted prominent friends on the vessel's mant cruises." from Brendon Bailod
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.
 
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