Capt. George McDougall

Captain George McDougall is another able navigator whose ability has found him high promotion. He is also in the employ of the C.P.R. Company's line of steamboats and commands the Athabasca. He was born in Owen Sound, Ontario in June of 1849. His career afloat began in earnest when he was fifteen years of age. He shipped as first porter on the steamer Clifton, in the passenger and freight business between Collingwood and Owen Sound. During 1865 and 1866 he was aboard the steamer Waubuno, the ill-fated vessel at whose foundering later so many lives were lost.

The Captain's next position was that of steward on the steamer Frances Smith, where he remained for two years, 1867 and 1868. In 1869 he shipped before the mast as a sailor, some of the vessels which he served in during that season being the schooner Clyde, the schooner Mary Taylor and the schooner Northumberland.

In 1870 he became first mate on the schooner Mountaineer. Throughout 1871 and 1872 he occupied a similar post on the schooner Belle McPhee and in 1873 he secured the position as master on the schooner Mountaineer, which previously he had sailed in as mate. In 1876 he had charge of the steamer Vanderbilt. Then for three years he was master of the schooner Phoebe Catharine, and for three years more commanded the schooner Otonabee.

In the year 1883 he again took charge of a steam vessel, going as master into the Scotia. Then he had command of the steamer Wolseley, subsequently the schooner Garibaldi, then the steamer Kincardine, the steamer Ontario, the steamer United Empire, and finally the C.P.R. steamer Athabasca. Before he went into the employ of the C.P.R., in 1892, Captain McDougall had been with the Sarnia Line for four years.

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