On this day October 30, 1921, the sailing days of the schooner ROSA BELLE ended.
Photo at top of page: The ROSA BELLE being towed by the tug PETER REISS in the Sheboygan River at Sheboygan, Wisconsin
The ROSA BELLE was a two masted schooner launched on April 12, 1863, at the L. H. Boole shipyard opposite the NY Central docks in Milwaukee. She measured 100 feet in length, 25 feet in beam and had a depth of hold 7 feet 8 inches. She was adaptable to either the lumber or grain trade. She was built for Messrs. French & Miller and was commanded by Captain Miller.
A short note about her builders. Leonard Hoffman Boole and William F. Squires were partners in the L. H. Boole & Co. and proprietors of the Badger State Shipyard in Milwaukee. Boole, a marine and naval architect, had served as an apprentice under shipbuilder William H. Webb in New York and later authored The Shipwright’s Handbook and Draughtsman’s Guide.
ROSA BELLE was one of those vessels I like to point out to researchers who question the spelling of a vessel’s name as her bow signboard read ROSABELLE and her stern signboard read ROSA BELLE.
The ROSA BELLE was well built by Boole as she had a 58 year career. She also had many run ins and mishaps. One of her more notable mishaps was going ashore in August 1875 near Grand Haven. Her captain was badly injured by falling spars and rigging. Capt. Peterson received several broken ribs and a head injury from which he never recovered. The rest of the crew were safely rescued. The ROSA BELLE was reported to have gone to pieces after this but was thoroughly rebuilt and launched again in April 1876.
Crew of the ROSA BELLE
As stated, her sailing days ended on October 30, 1921. It is presumed she capsized during a storm on Lake Michigan. The wreck was found floating 42 miles off Milwaukee. She was bottom side up with no crew in sight. Her yawl was missing. It was determined she had not been involved in a collision with another vessel. She drifted south to 20 miles off Kenosha and from there was towed into Racine’s harbor. No sign of her crew of 11 was found. She was loaded with wood enroute from High Island to Benton Harbor and was the property of the House of David.
Wreck docked at Racine, Wisconsin
She was later bought by H & M Body Corp who beached her 100 feet offshore north of Racine to remove her lumber.
According to Herman Runge, she was on the beach north of the north pier in Racine on August 27, 1922. Runge noted her center board box was still there in 1927.
Suzette Lopez
PHOTO CREDIT: Great Lakes Marine Collection of the Milwaukee Public Library and Wisconsin Marine Historical Society.
