"There cannot be found a more retiring community than upon those worthies who earn their "salt" upon the great freshwater lake chain which separates Canada from the United States. Taking to the water while yet mere boys, they brave the perils of the inland seas throughout their lives, often performing deeds of valor."

Thus began John A. Copland's tribute to the men who sailed the inland waters before the turn of the 20th century. This series of biographical sketches, accompanied by portraits of the Canadian mariners and photogravures of the vessels which they sailed, ran "from week to week" beginning on October 2, 1897 with "Men Who Sail The Lakes." This became "Pominent Men of the Great Lakes" with the second installment and remained so until the end, with the exception of the June 18, 1898 issue titled "The Lake Captains." The final issue, July 2, 1898 was untitled and had but one captain's biography. It was, however, undoubtedly written by John A. Copland and intended for this series.

Some text errors in the original articles, regarding spellings and dates, have been corrected, and the original text has been reformatted in places to facilitate easier reading. Sources for corrections have been credited within the text. Sadly, the photographs which accompanied these articles are no longer available except on microfilm, hence the poor reproductioins herein. Special thanks go to Bill McNeil and Patrick Folkes, of Toronto, for locating the "missing" summer issues of 1898. Thanks also go to Toronto Marine Historical Society members Ron Beaupre, of Port Elgin, and John and Jay Bascom, of Toronto, for proof-reading this document. And, sincerest thanks go to the late John A. Copland, and to the sailors he wrote about. Without those tales we would be poorer historians.

Gerry Ouderkirk 1990

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