David A. Black

The marine life of this gentleman has been marked with no shipwreck or experience of a serious nature. Gradually he has worked his way up the ladder of marine engineering till he has reached the berth of chief engineer of the Maricopa, a position which speaks for itself. All of his active life has been spent in preparation for his trade and its fulfillment, and he is a devoted follower of his chosen calling.

Mr. Black was born in Hamilton, Ontario, the son of David and Isabella (Arnott) Black. In his infancy his parents removed to Flamboro, Ontario, and there he lived until sixteen years old, at which age he went to Dundas, same Province, and entered the machine department of Gartshore's foundry. There he served four years, after which he was employed about two years at the same place and then removed to Goderich, Ontario, and purchased an interest in a foundry there; which venture proved unsuccessful, and he began sailing. He first went on the pleasure yacht Tommy Wright as engineer, and then served in the same capacity on the tug Maytham. He next became second engineer on the Tecumseh, of Chatham, acting as such for two seasons and then for one season as chief. He now moved to Detroit, Mich., becoming a citizen of the United States, and shipping as chief engineer of the steamer Kershaw one season, from which he came to the passenger steamer Saginaw Valley, and remained two seasons. After three years spent in the W. L. Frost he went to the F. W. Wheeler, which was new, for one season, and then in the seasons closely following brought out the steamers Mecosta, Tampa, Pioneer and Selwyn Eddy, all new. For one season following he was with the Detroit, Belle Isle & Windsor Ferry line, on the steamer Promise, from which he transferred to the Minnesota Steamship line on the steamer Marina. Upon this boat he spent the season of 1895, and continued on her until October 20, 1896, when he went on the Maricopa, of the same line, for the balance of the season.

Mr. Black was married to Georgina Pirie, of Guelph, Ontario, and to this union were born: Annie Maud, Alice Mabel, Ada Jacquelin, Hattie Florence, Alex Aitken and George Arnott, all of whom are living at home but Annie Maud, who died at the age of five years. Socially Mr. Black is a member of Detroit Lodge No. 2, F. & A. M., the M. E. B. A., No. 3, and Peninsular Lodge No. 12, A. O. U. W., of Detroit.

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Volume I

This version of Volume II is based, with permission, on the work of the great volunteers at the Marine Captains Biographies site. To them goes the credit for reorganizing the content into some coherent order. The biographies in the original volume are in essentially random order.

Some of the transcription work was also done by Brendon Baillod, who maintains an excellent guide to Great Lakes Shipwreck Research.