Manitowoc shipbuilders crafted the best-known schooner on the Great Lakes and helped launch the shipbuilding industry

Although many prominent companies in Manitowoc today relate to ships, throughout the mid-19th century, one local company was vital in establishing the industry: Hanson & Scove.

Jasper Hanson immigrated from Denmark in 1832, finding a home in Manitowoc by 1854. After 10 years of working in a shipyard, Mr. Hanson made the leap to start his own shipbuilding business in 1866.

After two years, Mr. Hanson’s initial business partner, A.D. Jones, retired, leading him to partner with another Danish immigrant, Hans Scove.

Mr. Scove came to Manitowoc in 1860 and quickly learned the shipbuilding process. Scove had an early impact on the shipbuilding industry, as he assisted in building the fleet that took part in the capture of Vicksburg during the Civil War in 1863.

After a few years of living in Manitowoc and mastering the shipbuilding process, Mr. Scove partnered with Jasper Hanson to establish Hanson & Scove Shipbuilders. The pair would go on to create some of the largest crafts on the Great Lakes, including sailing vessels, steam tugs and schooners.

In 1872, Hanson & Scove moved their operation to a location beside the East Town River in Two Rivers. The new location was a fitting choice because of the sharp bend in the river that created a deep channel. Given that the company had built several large ships, the depth of the channel made the location ideal for launching.

At its height, Hanson & Scove employed around 80 men, allowing them to build multiple large ships simultaneously.

One of the greatest successes of the business was building the best-known schooner on the Great Lakes, the John Schuette. The vessel was launched in May 1875. With its start in Manitowoc, the ship mainly stayed in the Great Lakes but made six international voyages to England and a trip from Cuba to Milwaukee. However, the vessel collided with another boat in 1909 in Lake St. Clair outside of Detroit, ending its reign over the Great Lakes. Unfortunately, the John Schuette was never salvaged.

In 1874, Mr. Scove’s wife sadly passed, and the Hanson family was also moving back to Manitowoc. Given these factors, including the harbor contract finishing that same year, Hanson & Scove moved their shipbuilding operation back to Manitowoc, where they continued their operations for 15 years.

With the passing of Mr. Scove in 1888, Hanson & Scove shipbuilding company ended its tenure in 1889 with the launching of its last steamer, the John E. Hall.

Throughout its time in both the Two Rivers and Manitowoc locations, Hanson & Scove built a staggering 34 sailboats, steams and tugs, and employed more than 80 Manitowoc and Two Rivers men at its height.

Though the business no longer exists, Hanson & Scove’s impact of their work is an essential chapter in local history as they were vital in developing the shipbuilding industry in Manitowoc and Two Rivers.

Madelyn Leppiaho is a summer intern at Manitowoc County Historical Society. She is joining the society through the Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities - WAICU summer internship program and attends Carthage College, where she’s working toward her history major and a secondary education minor.