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Archiver > Mariners > 2002-08 > 1028350761


From: "fritzh31" <>
Subject: [Mar] A German bark named TAIWAN
Date: Sat, 3 Aug 2002 00:05:13 -0500



A friend recently found in the Aabenraa (Denmark) archive a crew listing for a German bark named TAIWAN. That listing shows the ship's carpenter to be named Hans Christian Hansen, a resident of Sønderborg, (Denmark, but then under German <to be historically correct - Prussian> control) in 1877. That was my ancestor's name and residence and occupation before he immigrated to the USA in 1882. Except when he was at sea he lived in Sønderborg his entire life prior to emigrating. The crew list (actually a 'musterrolle') shows Hans Christian Hansen to remain as the ship's carpenter throughout a four year voyage (1877-1881) to the Far East and return to European waters before the entire crew signed off the ship on their final stop at Glasgow.

My friend also discovered a painting of the ship hanging in the Sønderborg museum and has furnished me a photo of the painting. The museum staff advised him that the painting had been done in China.

Here is what else my friend found out about TAIWAN. She was the last ship built in the H.H. Hauchschildt shipyard in Sønderborg. Built in 1875. 375 Reg. ton. Owned by Peter and Chr. Karberg. Skippered by Chr. Jessen. Canceled from the register July 31, 1884, and sold to a Madame Galatola in Genoa, Italy.

Question: I want to find out all else I can about TAIWAN. Does anyone have any knowledge of her or suggestions as to where I might find out further information about her?

Fritz Hansen
Wichita, Kansas, USA

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