Commodore W. J. Bassett

That Commodore W. J. Bassett of the steamer City of Collingwood comes from true maritime stock is a foregone conclusion when the statement is made that his grandfather was for twenty-one years in the navy yard in England, where Commodore Bassett's father also served his time. Coming to Canada the commodore's parents settled in Collingwood, and there he was born in March 1857. Securing a thorough education in the schools of Collingwood, when he was fifteen years old. in 1872, he began his lake career by shipping in the steamer Waubuno, which sailed from Collingwood. That vessel was lost with every soul on board about fifteen years ago. which sad fatality everybody can recall. After leaving the Waubuno,Captain Bassett sailed on Canadian and American sailing vessels until 1877, among which were the Jane McLeod, the Azore, the Nellie Gardner, the Chippewa,Maggie, and the C. G. Breed, the latter a brig.

From 1877 to 1883 he was second and then first mate on the following steamers : The Northern Queen, the Emerald, the Canada, the Northern Belle, and the Atlantic.

On February 13. 1884 he passed his examination at Toronto for master, being the first one to be examined, and was granted the first certificate of competency issued.

In 1884 he took command of the steamer Northern Belle, belonging to the Great Northern Transit Company limited, and continued master of her until 1889, when he went as master of the steamer City of Midland, owned by the North Shore Navigation Company of Ontario, limited, in 1890, and continued in her through the seasons of 1891 and 1892. In 1893 he took charge of the new steamer City of Collingwood when she was built by the North Shore Navigation Company and he sailed her from Collingwood to Chicago during the World's Fair. He has been master of her ever since, running to Sault Ste. Marie and Mackinaw Island, and his employers have engaged him to sail her during the season of 1898 from Collingwood and Owen Sound to the Soo.Port Arthur.Duluth and Mackinaw under the name of the Georgian Bay and Lake Superior Steamboat Line.

Among his other enterprises Captain Bassett was one of the promoters of the North Shore Navigation Company of Ontario, limited, in 1890. and he superintended the building of the steamers City of Midland.City of Collingwood, and City of Toronto, all of which vessels were built by Captain John Simpson, of Owen Sound, who also lengthened the steamers City of Midland and City of London. The commodore's fleet now consists of five steamers, four propellers and one side-wheeler, all of which are under his direct supervision and in his charge during the winter months.

It is a righteous boast of the commodore to say. "I have not lost a day from business since 1882." He has sailed every season since 1872 and has always lived in Collingwood. On December 30. 1873. the master of the City of Collingwood was married at Shelburne to Miss Mary Gray. Their family consists of one son and two daughters, Jennie Bassett,Reggie Bassett and Mary Bassett.

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