Captain "Black Pete" Campbell
We recently had a Genealogical breakthrough on Pat's line of the family. We recieved her grandfathers (Peter McLean Campbell, Jr "Claney") death certificate and we found conclusively that she descends from "Black Pete" Campbell (Peter McLean Campbell, Sr) Captain Pete was a ship captain of several great lakes steamers in the 1860's - 1900's in Georgian Bay, Canada. One of his ships (The Manitoulin) caught fire - By his efforts loss of life was limited to under 40 People. He received this Silver serving tray from the townspeople and the shipline in appreciation for his heroic efforts to save lives and the ship. The crew picture includes "Black Pete" and his brother-in-Law - William Lockerbie and other members of the crew. "Black Pete"'s Father-in-law was Andrew Lockerbie who was a blacksmith and also served as a Mayor in Collingwood, Ontario. Andrew Lockerbie's Obituary claimed that he was born on Feb 24, 1822 in the Stirling castle in Scotland and that his father was a sergeant of the 42nd Regiment of the Royal Highlanders stationed at the Stirling castle at that time. It is suspected, but unproven that Andrew's father was William Lockerbie.
Painting of the Manitoulin Fire
Silver Tray
Picture of Peter M Campbell "Black Pete" and his Father-In-Law Andrew Lockerbie
Painting of the Manitoulin Fire
Silver Tray
Picture of Peter M Campbell "Black Pete" and his Father-In-Law Andrew Lockerbie
History of the Manitoulin and the Atlantic (The ship that sunk twice)
Burning of the Manitoulin. - The Canadian passenger steamer Manitoulin burned with great loss of life off Shoal Point, Georgian Bay, May 18, 1882 Captain Campbell was at the dinner table when the fire was discovered, and immediately ran up to the hurricane deck and ordered the wheelsman to “hard starboard” and steer for shore, two miles distant. The first engineer at the great risk of his life, jumped down into the engine room and put on all steam. The fire had made great headway below deck, and the passengers becoming panic-stricken many jumped overboard and were lost. A boat was lowered, but it was so overcrowded that the davits gave way and plunged the occupants into the bay. The Manitoulin had by this time almost reached the shore, and was quickly beached. The full story
Captain Peter Campbell was Captain of the Manitoulin in 1880, 1881 and 1882 until the fire and beaching of the ship. When the ship caught fire, the ship was carrying 500 pounds of blasting powder destined for the Canadian Pacific Railway construction crews to the north. One of the deck hands was busy dumping the explosives overboard to protect the ship from an explosion.
The following is a clipping from the newspaper Manitoulin Expositor Nov 22, 1884 Captain Campbell and the First Engineer Lockerbie on the SS Pacific are Pat Duescher's Great Grandfather and GG Grandfather respectively.
No steamer yet has yet so nearly filled the old Queen’s place on this route as has the Pacific this summer. A fine staunch boat, magnificently furnished, efficiently manned and almost invariably on time, it is no wonder that she is popular. Her officers are now so well known as to make any reference to them now well night superfluous. Anyone who has ever travelled on these northern waters knows Capt. CAMPBELL as a thorough seaman whose professional knowledge and duties do not prevent him from filling in an admirable manner the position of host as well; and this model captain is ably seconded by his officers. There is the first mate PLAYER to whom cool-headedness as wheelsman of the burning Manitoulin numbers of people owe their lives; first engineer LOCKERBIE, whose thorough professional knowledge and cool courage form a bulwark of strength in hours of danger; Purser STOREY, to whom no trouble, having for its aim the accommodation of the public, is too great; and Steward "Dick" who, in conjunction with his efficient staff of waiters, always so amply provides for the bodily comforts of its passengers. Truly a magnificent vessel and a model crew! May we see them all again in the spring is the wish of everyone. Manitoulin Expositor, November 22, 1884
There also was a tug boat built in 1889 in Collingwood, ON, Canada that was named P.M. Campbell Named after Captain Peter McLean Campbell.
Peter M Campbell started the "Georgian Bay Navigation Company" about 1876 when they purchased the "Northern Belle" and operated it to ports between Collingwood, Ontario, CA to Sault St. Marie.
History of the CANADIAN SAULT STE. MARIE CANAL: Names Commodore Peter M. Campbell as first captain through the new locks
The Steam ship Majestic in 1899
But it was not until Saturday, September 7, 1895, that the canal was formally opened to navigation by passing through the new Canadian passenger steamer Majestic, under command of Capt. Peter M. Campbell, commodore of the Great Northern Transit Line, with some 700 passengers on board.
Captain Peter McLean Campbell 3/15/1845 - 9/10/1915
Collingwood E.B. Sept 16, 1915 Page 1 Column 3
Capt. P. M. Campbell Laid to Rest.
The funeral of the late Capt. P. M. Campbell took place on Monday afternoon to the Presbyterian Church, the Rev. John Taylor officiating at the home and graveside.
The funeral was in charge of Manito Lodge no 90 A F & A M of which the deceased was a member and a large number of citizens were present to pay a last tribute to the decreased mariner. The floral tributes from the different companies and societies and from personal friends were unusually numerous. The pallbearers were messrs. W. T. Allan, H. A. Currie, F. A. Hodgson, Peter Patton, A. E. Johnson and C. A. Macdonald. The chief mourners were his two sons, Capt Andrew and P. M. Campbell and his sons-in-law Messrs. Proctor, Law and Dyment.
The shipbuilding Company was represented by Manager Leitch and Messrs. M. P. Byrnes, S. H. Lindsay and T. P. Long, Directors
Collingwood, Ontario Saturday, Sept 11, 1915
The old skipper has made his last port. Capt. P. M. Campbell passed away at his home early yesterday, Friday, morning after an illness that extended over several years.
The deceased was one of the most widely known mariners on the upper lakes. Born in Nova Scotia, he took to the water when a boy and followed it closely and actively until a few years ago, when he retired and has since lived in town quietly, though ever retaining his interest in matters pertaining to the shipping and shipbuilding at this port.
Capt. Campbell came to Collingwood in the days of the schooner trade and for some years was "Before the mast" From the "Wind jammer" he moved on to a steamer and in the early sixties brought the little steamer Waubuno to the Georgian Bay for Messrs. James and William Beatty, who were pioneers in shipping on the upper Lakes. The Waubuno which was built in 1865 at port Robinson was was but 180 gross tons was in his charge for several years, when he severed his connection with the Beattys and organized a syndicate composed of Messrs Dill manager of the Dodge Lumber Co. Byng Inlet; James Cunningham, agent of the Northern Railway at Collingwood; J. Murphy, of Newmarket, and Chas. Cameron and himself to purchase a steamer. Their purchase was the Gladys, a steamer of 290 tons net that had been built at Marine City in 1875 to ply on the Rivers St. Clair and Detroit but which for some reason had been left on the builders hands. Upon bringing the Gladys here, the cabins were completed and the boat renamed the Northern Belle, under which name it plied the upper lakes for twenty-two years, until it was destroyed by a fire which broke out while the boat was on a trip to Byng Inlet. While this syndicate, which became known as the Georgian Bay Navigation Co. was in organization two of the members withdrew, their places being taken by Messrs Thomas and John Long, and in this way came about an association of the three men which continued for many years. Later the Waubuno was purchased by the Long-Cameron-Campbell combination and the Beattys became associated with it. In 1880, after the purchase of Manitoulin which Capt. Campbell sailed, the name of the company was changed to the Great Northern Transit Company, which was retained until the formation of the Northern Navigation Co. in 1899 by the amalgamation of the company with the North Shore Navigation Co.
Throughout his long experience on the lakes Capt. Campbell has been in charge of many steamers and for many years sailed the flagship of the fleet. He has had many experiences and some narrow escapes, but always careful as a navigator and fearless he ever came through safely. As examples, in an early trip on the Waubuno he had to fight a fire which threatened to destroy his vessel, but which was fortunately extinguished before serious damage was done and in May, 1882 he was on the steamer Manitoulin when it was burned and beached on the shores of the Manitoulin Island. Capt. Campbell also sailed the steamer Northern Queen which was purchased in 1878 on the United States side of the lakes and converted from the Robert Holland; the Pacific, which he brought out in 1883; the Atlantic, which was the rebuilt Manitoulin; the Majestic, which came out in 1885, and City of Collingwood and others.
While engaged in sailing he also became associated with the shipbuilding industry of Collingwood and with Messrs. Long and Cameron took an interest in a company organized to operate the local dry dock. This continued to expand and ultimately became the Collingwood Shipbuilding Co., the present well-known industrial concern, of which the deceased is a director.
Outside of the marine life Captain Campbell took an interest in Free Masonry and for some years has been a life member of the Manito Lodge, A. F. & A. M.
Captain Campbell married Mary, daughter of the late Mayor Lockerbie, who with two sons, Capt. A. L. of the N. N. Co's steamer Hamonic and A. McL. in town, also three daughters. Maggie (Mr. C. S. Proctor), Toronto; Aggie (Mrs. H. M. Dyment) of Barrie, and Mary (Mrs. Robt. Law) of Toronto, survive.
Among mariners the deceased had a wide circle of friends and acquaintences and his death will be deeply regretted. Throughout his three score and ten years , the greater portion of which were spent in Collingwood. He was always a good friend of the town. He never lost confidence in Collingwood, he had faith in it's future and he did his "bit" to push it ahead.
The funeral will take place on the Monday afternoon under Masonic auspices to the Presbyterian cemetery.
The children listed in this Obit are as follows:
Andrew Lockerbie Campbell 9/12/1874 - 3/18/1919 Alice Hutchinson
Margaret Ferguson Campbell 4/1/1876 - 8/6/1951 Charles Stewart Proctor
Peter McLean Campbell, Jr 9/9/1883 - 10/16/1930 Ella May Rogers - Fern Isabelle Harker
Agnes L. Campbell 5/24/1885 - 9/7/1967 Harold Marmaduke Dyment - John Laing
Mary Lockerbie Campbell 1/4/1888 - 3/20/1959 Robert Law - Clifford Taylor
List of articles that mention "Campbell" on the Maritime history of the Great Lakes website.
Many of the ships that "Black Pete" had captained are listed in these newspaper transcriptions.
This website has the largest collection of maritime history that I have been able to find.
Manitoulin Manitoulin Launch
Waubuno
Majestic
Northern Belle
Burning of the Manitoulin. - The Canadian passenger steamer Manitoulin burned with great loss of life off Shoal Point, Georgian Bay, May 18, 1882 Captain Campbell was at the dinner table when the fire was discovered, and immediately ran up to the hurricane deck and ordered the wheelsman to “hard starboard” and steer for shore, two miles distant. The first engineer at the great risk of his life, jumped down into the engine room and put on all steam. The fire had made great headway below deck, and the passengers becoming panic-stricken many jumped overboard and were lost. A boat was lowered, but it was so overcrowded that the davits gave way and plunged the occupants into the bay. The Manitoulin had by this time almost reached the shore, and was quickly beached. The full story
Captain Peter Campbell was Captain of the Manitoulin in 1880, 1881 and 1882 until the fire and beaching of the ship. When the ship caught fire, the ship was carrying 500 pounds of blasting powder destined for the Canadian Pacific Railway construction crews to the north. One of the deck hands was busy dumping the explosives overboard to protect the ship from an explosion.
The following is a clipping from the newspaper Manitoulin Expositor Nov 22, 1884 Captain Campbell and the First Engineer Lockerbie on the SS Pacific are Pat Duescher's Great Grandfather and GG Grandfather respectively.
No steamer yet has yet so nearly filled the old Queen’s place on this route as has the Pacific this summer. A fine staunch boat, magnificently furnished, efficiently manned and almost invariably on time, it is no wonder that she is popular. Her officers are now so well known as to make any reference to them now well night superfluous. Anyone who has ever travelled on these northern waters knows Capt. CAMPBELL as a thorough seaman whose professional knowledge and duties do not prevent him from filling in an admirable manner the position of host as well; and this model captain is ably seconded by his officers. There is the first mate PLAYER to whom cool-headedness as wheelsman of the burning Manitoulin numbers of people owe their lives; first engineer LOCKERBIE, whose thorough professional knowledge and cool courage form a bulwark of strength in hours of danger; Purser STOREY, to whom no trouble, having for its aim the accommodation of the public, is too great; and Steward "Dick" who, in conjunction with his efficient staff of waiters, always so amply provides for the bodily comforts of its passengers. Truly a magnificent vessel and a model crew! May we see them all again in the spring is the wish of everyone. Manitoulin Expositor, November 22, 1884
There also was a tug boat built in 1889 in Collingwood, ON, Canada that was named P.M. Campbell Named after Captain Peter McLean Campbell.
Peter M Campbell started the "Georgian Bay Navigation Company" about 1876 when they purchased the "Northern Belle" and operated it to ports between Collingwood, Ontario, CA to Sault St. Marie.
History of the CANADIAN SAULT STE. MARIE CANAL: Names Commodore Peter M. Campbell as first captain through the new locks
The Steam ship Majestic in 1899But it was not until Saturday, September 7, 1895, that the canal was formally opened to navigation by passing through the new Canadian passenger steamer Majestic, under command of Capt. Peter M. Campbell, commodore of the Great Northern Transit Line, with some 700 passengers on board.
Captain Peter McLean Campbell 3/15/1845 - 9/10/1915
Collingwood E.B. Sept 16, 1915 Page 1 Column 3
Capt. P. M. Campbell Laid to Rest.
The funeral of the late Capt. P. M. Campbell took place on Monday afternoon to the Presbyterian Church, the Rev. John Taylor officiating at the home and graveside.
The funeral was in charge of Manito Lodge no 90 A F & A M of which the deceased was a member and a large number of citizens were present to pay a last tribute to the decreased mariner. The floral tributes from the different companies and societies and from personal friends were unusually numerous. The pallbearers were messrs. W. T. Allan, H. A. Currie, F. A. Hodgson, Peter Patton, A. E. Johnson and C. A. Macdonald. The chief mourners were his two sons, Capt Andrew and P. M. Campbell and his sons-in-law Messrs. Proctor, Law and Dyment.
The shipbuilding Company was represented by Manager Leitch and Messrs. M. P. Byrnes, S. H. Lindsay and T. P. Long, Directors
Collingwood, Ontario Saturday, Sept 11, 1915
The old skipper has made his last port. Capt. P. M. Campbell passed away at his home early yesterday, Friday, morning after an illness that extended over several years.
The deceased was one of the most widely known mariners on the upper lakes. Born in Nova Scotia, he took to the water when a boy and followed it closely and actively until a few years ago, when he retired and has since lived in town quietly, though ever retaining his interest in matters pertaining to the shipping and shipbuilding at this port.
Capt. Campbell came to Collingwood in the days of the schooner trade and for some years was "Before the mast" From the "Wind jammer" he moved on to a steamer and in the early sixties brought the little steamer Waubuno to the Georgian Bay for Messrs. James and William Beatty, who were pioneers in shipping on the upper Lakes. The Waubuno which was built in 1865 at port Robinson was was but 180 gross tons was in his charge for several years, when he severed his connection with the Beattys and organized a syndicate composed of Messrs Dill manager of the Dodge Lumber Co. Byng Inlet; James Cunningham, agent of the Northern Railway at Collingwood; J. Murphy, of Newmarket, and Chas. Cameron and himself to purchase a steamer. Their purchase was the Gladys, a steamer of 290 tons net that had been built at Marine City in 1875 to ply on the Rivers St. Clair and Detroit but which for some reason had been left on the builders hands. Upon bringing the Gladys here, the cabins were completed and the boat renamed the Northern Belle, under which name it plied the upper lakes for twenty-two years, until it was destroyed by a fire which broke out while the boat was on a trip to Byng Inlet. While this syndicate, which became known as the Georgian Bay Navigation Co. was in organization two of the members withdrew, their places being taken by Messrs Thomas and John Long, and in this way came about an association of the three men which continued for many years. Later the Waubuno was purchased by the Long-Cameron-Campbell combination and the Beattys became associated with it. In 1880, after the purchase of Manitoulin which Capt. Campbell sailed, the name of the company was changed to the Great Northern Transit Company, which was retained until the formation of the Northern Navigation Co. in 1899 by the amalgamation of the company with the North Shore Navigation Co.
Throughout his long experience on the lakes Capt. Campbell has been in charge of many steamers and for many years sailed the flagship of the fleet. He has had many experiences and some narrow escapes, but always careful as a navigator and fearless he ever came through safely. As examples, in an early trip on the Waubuno he had to fight a fire which threatened to destroy his vessel, but which was fortunately extinguished before serious damage was done and in May, 1882 he was on the steamer Manitoulin when it was burned and beached on the shores of the Manitoulin Island. Capt. Campbell also sailed the steamer Northern Queen which was purchased in 1878 on the United States side of the lakes and converted from the Robert Holland; the Pacific, which he brought out in 1883; the Atlantic, which was the rebuilt Manitoulin; the Majestic, which came out in 1885, and City of Collingwood and others.
While engaged in sailing he also became associated with the shipbuilding industry of Collingwood and with Messrs. Long and Cameron took an interest in a company organized to operate the local dry dock. This continued to expand and ultimately became the Collingwood Shipbuilding Co., the present well-known industrial concern, of which the deceased is a director.
Outside of the marine life Captain Campbell took an interest in Free Masonry and for some years has been a life member of the Manito Lodge, A. F. & A. M.
Captain Campbell married Mary, daughter of the late Mayor Lockerbie, who with two sons, Capt. A. L. of the N. N. Co's steamer Hamonic and A. McL. in town, also three daughters. Maggie (Mr. C. S. Proctor), Toronto; Aggie (Mrs. H. M. Dyment) of Barrie, and Mary (Mrs. Robt. Law) of Toronto, survive.
Among mariners the deceased had a wide circle of friends and acquaintences and his death will be deeply regretted. Throughout his three score and ten years , the greater portion of which were spent in Collingwood. He was always a good friend of the town. He never lost confidence in Collingwood, he had faith in it's future and he did his "bit" to push it ahead.
The funeral will take place on the Monday afternoon under Masonic auspices to the Presbyterian cemetery.
The children listed in this Obit are as follows:
Andrew Lockerbie Campbell 9/12/1874 - 3/18/1919 Alice Hutchinson
Margaret Ferguson Campbell 4/1/1876 - 8/6/1951 Charles Stewart Proctor
Peter McLean Campbell, Jr 9/9/1883 - 10/16/1930 Ella May Rogers - Fern Isabelle Harker
Agnes L. Campbell 5/24/1885 - 9/7/1967 Harold Marmaduke Dyment - John Laing
Mary Lockerbie Campbell 1/4/1888 - 3/20/1959 Robert Law - Clifford Taylor
List of articles that mention "Campbell" on the Maritime history of the Great Lakes website.
Many of the ships that "Black Pete" had captained are listed in these newspaper transcriptions.
This website has the largest collection of maritime history that I have been able to find.
Manitoulin Manitoulin Launch
Waubuno
Majestic
Northern Belle
The Waubuno sunk in November of 1879 after Captain "Black Pete" Campbell turned over command to Captain Burkett and took command of the Manitoulin - Here is the story of the sinking
Another story and photos about the Waubuno including underwater photos of the remains of the Waubuno
Captain Syme was Captain Peter McLean Campell's Brother-in-law (Capt. Symes was married in 1861 to Miss Margaret J. Campbell in Bruce)
I posted this portion of the descendant tree at rootsweb Simcoe, ON
Additional clippings and history about Captian Pete Campbell are available from the Book "Georgian Bay" by James P. Barry published 1968 Pg. 125, 126, 128, 135
This book also mentioned that he was called "Black Pete" because of his black hair and the fierce black whiskers that ringed his face. He shaved his upper lip so that his features appeared clean-shaven within the circling growth of hair. Black Pete Campbell was a dashing character, always ready to race a competing steamer, always full of flair. ...
Learn more about Captain Pete Campbell and his family
Captain Syme was Captain Peter McLean Campell's Brother-in-law (Capt. Symes was married in 1861 to Miss Margaret J. Campbell in Bruce)
I posted this portion of the descendant tree at rootsweb Simcoe, ON
Additional clippings and history about Captian Pete Campbell are available from the Book "Georgian Bay" by James P. Barry published 1968 Pg. 125, 126, 128, 135
This book also mentioned that he was called "Black Pete" because of his black hair and the fierce black whiskers that ringed his face. He shaved his upper lip so that his features appeared clean-shaven within the circling growth of hair. Black Pete Campbell was a dashing character, always ready to race a competing steamer, always full of flair. ...
Learn more about Captain Pete Campbell and his family
Here is another collection of clippings about the "Northern Belle", "Pacific", "Atlantic" that Captain Pete Campbell was a Captain of during his career.
From: "Marilyn Irish"
Subject: [CAN-ONT-MANITOULIN] Northern Belle - here is an article that I have recently transcribed from an old scrapbook collection submitted to the Manitoulin Genealogy Club.
Subject: [CAN-ONT-MANITOULIN] Northern Belle - here is an article that I have recently transcribed from an old scrapbook collection submitted to the Manitoulin Genealogy Club.
North Shore Had Six Boats a Week in Nineties Many Fine Ships Recalled In Days of Busy Lumbering The 'Turning Back the Page' historical column of The Enterprise-Bulletin recently recalled the destruction by fire 40 years ago of two splendid Georgian Bay passenger and freight steamers-the 'Pacific' and the 'Northern Belle'. The two ships went up in smoke within 24 years of each other-the Pacific at her wharf at Collingwood in a fire which destroyed the old Grand trunk freight sheds and wharf while the Northern Belle was burned near ByngInlet on the east shore. Belonged to old "White Line"Both boats belonged to the fleet of the Great Northern Transit Co. (the White Line) owned chiefly in Collingwood, and the loss of the two boats crippled the service of the line for a time, but the next season the Str. Germanic was built to replace the Pacific, and a year later the company amalgamated with its old competitor the North Shore Navigation Co. (theBlack Line) forming the Northern Navigation co., which now forms an important division of the Canada Steamship Line. The Germanic was burned at Collingwood in 1917. Right Size for North Shore The Pacific was one of the best boats ever on the North Shore run. It was about the same type as the Str. Caribou, but considerably larger. It held a reputation of being a sea-worthy ship, of about the right size to navigate the channels and little harbors of the North shore, and at the same time handle profitable cargoes and passenger lists. Built in Owen Sound The Pacific was an Owen Sound product. The hull constructed of wood and it was built by the veteran ship-builder, the late Capt. John Simpson at his yards on the west side of the harbor in 1883. The first season it was in command of Capt. James Foote of Owen Sound, who left to take charge of one of the early C.P.R. boats which went into commission the next year. Then Capt. P.M. Campbell (Black Pete) became master of the Pacific and was in charge until 1894 when he was transferred to the newly-built 'Majestic.' He was one of the most picturesque figures among marine men of the Upper Lakes of that day. Old Steamboat Races The Pacific could develop considerable speed and 'Black Pete' Campbell took his ship into the odd steamboat race. The old side-wheeler 'Carmona', then running out of Owen Sound was its chief speed rival. Stories of the races from Killarney and Collingwood were frequent and sometimes the oldships were stoked so hard that flames accompanied the smoke coming out of the stack. Capt. R.D. Foote followed Capt. Campbell in charge of the Pacific and was master in 1898 when on November 3rd, the ship burned as it was tied up at the G.T.R. freight shed at Collingwood. The Pacific was valued at about$75,000 and was insured for about half the amount. There was no loss of life. In its early operation the Pacific had as its running mates the Str. Baltic (formerly the Frances Smith) and the Atlantic. About 1894, the Baltic was withdrawn from service, and the newly constructed Majestic took its place. Boats Called at Wiarton The regular weekly trips of the Pacific and other local boats at that time was from Collingwood and Owen Sound to Sault Ste. Marie via the North Shore. The Pacific would leave Collingwood after the arrival of the noon G.T.R. passenger train from Toronto, and call at Meaford, arriving in Owen Sound about 7 p.m. and after loading cargo from Owen Sound would leave after the arrival of the evening train. In the 'eighties and early 'nineties' these boats called at Wiarton on the way from Owen Sound to Killarney to take on passengers and freight from the G.T.R. branch which had its terminus there but after 1893, when the G.T.R. line was built from Park Head to Owen Sound, the Wiarton call was discontinued. When Lumber Trade Boomed The steamer calls along the North Shore were much more numerous than now. The lumber business was at its peak in the north and big mils were operatingat many points. There was no motor travel and the Algoma Eastern Railway had not been built to Little Current so that the only means of going to or from Manitoulin Island was by boat. Passenger traffic was a real factor and even late in the season the boats usually carried heavy lists of passengers. These boats carried the mails also. Mackinac Trip for $10.00 During July and August all these local boats made a weekly call at Mackinac after leaving the Sault and offered special low rates for round-trippers. Twelve dollars and even $10 for a time was the round trip-fare-including meals and berth. Of course boats were operated for a fraction of today's costs. Needless to say these Mackinac trips were popular. Almost Daily Boat Service At one time in the nineties when both the White and Black line were in full operation there was almost a daily boat service form Collingwood and Owen Sound to Manitoulin. Each line had three boats in operation. For a time the Black line had the City of Collingwood, City of Midland and City of London on the Soo route, while the Black Line had the Majestic, Pacific and Atlantic. Those were busy days in the North shore trade. The first two of the 'Cities' were burned. Only a few trips before it was destroyed the Pacific was in collision with the Str. J.H. Jones in Kagawong Bay. The Pacific was not seriously damaged but the Jones was sunk. Towards the end of the season the boat was raised and was in commission the next spring. Ten years later the Jones went down off Cape Croker and all aboard were lost. Loss of "Northern Belle" The 'Northern Belle' was at one time on the Collingwood-Owen Sound-North Shore route, but for many seasons prior to her loss she made semi-weekly trips from Collingwood to Killarney via East Shore ports- Parry sound, Point-au-Baril, French River, etc. When the fire broke out on the Northern Belle it was in the Magnettewan River, a few miles from Byng Inlet. It occurred in the morning and the vessel burned to the water's edge. All aboard got off in safety but members of the crew lost their personal effects. The Northern Belle was a much smaller and older boat than the Pacific and was valued at $15,000 and carried insurance of $10,000. Many Captains on the 'Belle' Built in the winter of 1875-6 in Marine City, Mich., it was first named the 'Gladys' and was to run between Detroit and Port Huron. After the first trip the boat was bought by Chas. Cameron, of Collingwood, manager for the newly organized Great Northern Transit Co., and came to the Georgian Bay under Cap. Dan Cameron, a member of a family of mariners out of Collingwood for years. The name Northern Belle was given as a compliment to a daughterof Chas. Cameron, now Mrs. Ross in Toronto. In 1877, Capt. P.M. Campbell took charge of the Northern Belle and was followed in succeeding years by Capt. James Foote, Capt. D. Taylor, Capt. J.B. Symes, Capt. Neil Campbell, Capt. James Bassett, Capt. James Wilson and Capt. C. Jasues, in command at the time of the fire. Other Boats Meet Similar Fate One of the running mates of the Pacific and Northern Belle- the Str. 'Atlantic' met a similar fate five years later-almost to a day. The Atlantic was destroyed by fire off Red Rock, on November 10th, 1903. The Baltic also burned at Collingwood in 1895. In fact nearly all those old local boats departed by the fire route. The Collingwood Enterprise-Bulletin
THE BURNING OF THE "MANITOULIN"
The boat upon the waters rode,
`Twas beautiful to behold,
But soon a dreadful tragedy-
Will its pages now unfold.
It happened on a certain day
This boat was out upon the bay;
And guided by a steady hand
`Iwas just about two miles from land.
But soon a voice was heard below-
A voice that did not tire,
And then a signal went abroad
That the boat was all on fire.
The crowd came rushing to the scene-
Alas it was too true,
For soon the wreathing fires
Were consuming its bright hue.
The boats were lowered in right quick style,
But ah! 'twas all in vain,
For soon its occupants had passed Far,
far from cares or pain.
The wheelsman brave stood at his post
Without the sign of ache or pain:
But said he'd fight for life or death
Or else the shore he'd gain.
The Captain then stood on the deck
The Captain then stood on the deck
Straining his eyes to see
His comrades clinging to the wreck,
To see if sav'd they might be.
The pilot he stood calm and brave
And answered o'er and o'er
To questions which to him were asked
How far are we from shore?
The people clung with might and main
And tried their lives to save
But some of them dropped off and sank
Into a watery grave.
At length the boat it struck the land,
Which it shall visit never more,
And then the welcome sound was heard
Thank God ! we've reached the shore.
Let those that's rescued from this wreck
Pray unto him each day
Who saved them from a burning death
Upon the Georgian Bay.
William J. Guthrie, Fairmount. Meaford Monitor Friday, June 23, 1882
P.M. Campbell, Captain of the Str. Waubuno
This competent Captain who rules on the wave,
A man of great presence both noble and brave;
Through fogs that bewilder and whirlwinds that sweep,
This skillful commander rides over the deep,
While companies, dozens and crowds are on board;
Commerce - all descriptions - for ballast is stores.
John Sinclair's a gentleman standing in state,
On board of his steamer he is Captains's mate;
Sir James B. Sherman on board does appear,
He is the machinest and chief engineer.
The traveling public had better believe,
The best entertainment they are bound to receive;
The steward and porter and pages will skip,
To wait on the passengers making their trip.
Port Collingwood, Midland and Waubaushene round,
From Monday Till Sunday - three trips to the Sound.
Transcribed from an early book mentioning Captain P. M. Campbell.
