The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1889-10-19
CAPTAIN MINNIE HILL.
Young Matron Who Is Master of a Pacific
Coast Steamer.

Coast Steamer.
Captain H. S. Lubbock, Superintcnl-
ing Inspector for the First district, re-
turned recently from tour % inspection
of steamers in the Portland district.
Since his arrival here his attention has
been called to an article lately published
in regard to what women can do and are
doing in the way of earning a liveli-
hood. The article spoke of u lady who
was engineer of steamer on the Co
lumbia river, and, thinking that a his
tory of the fair one might prove in
teresting, reporter called on Captain
Lubbock with view of learning some-
thing of this paragon. She is not an
engineer, as was stated, but is master
of the vessel. There is but one other
lady captain known in the United
States, who has masters license ON
the Mississippi river.
The lady commander of the Column
bia was born in Albany. Ore, in 1865,
and lived at that place until short
time before her marriage with Charles
Hill, which took place in 1883. Mr..
Hill was at that time purser of the
steamer Joseph Kellogg. He continued
in this position for three years, being
assisted in his duties by his young
wife. Living economically all this time
they managed to save $1,000. With
this money they purchased an old
schooner, and converted her into trad
ing boat, putting a small engine into
her. Mrs. Hills next step was to take
out Il second-class master $ license. She
had studied navigation, and had thor
oughly learned the Columbia and Will
lamette rivers while assisting her hus-
band, and she passed her examination
without any trouble. Her husband OBJ
tanned an engineers license in Deem
Der, 1886, for the steamer Minnie Hill
to run from Portland to Astoria, dis
lance of 10 miles. They then bought
Il stock of goods on credit. and launched
into a trading business at the various
points on the Columbia river.
Their venture was crowned with sue
cess, and in the second year their bust
ness had assumed snch proportions
that they were obliged to get a larger
steamer, for which they paid $4,000,
money which had been made by them
during their first year of trading. be-
sides paying off all Indebtedness. They
bought the Clatsap Chief, and on
November 20, 1887. Mrs. Captain Hill
applied for and was granted masters
and pilots license, and on that day
she entered on her duties as comman-
der OF the Clatsap Chief, while her
husband went on as engineer. A larger
stock of goods was put on board as
they had found it profitable to branch
out and take in more territory. Another
year followed and their fortune was
established.
Captain Minnie Hill and her hus-
band and their trading were known all
over the Columbia and Willamette
rivers. The captain had won the heart
of every one by her happy disposition.
her kindly heart and charming man
ners, while the engineer was equally
we'll liked for his upright and manly
qualities. In another year they bought
the steamer General Newde for 81, 500.
The steamer is Ill 5-12 feet in length,
90 UP feet beam. and has depth of
hold of 5 feet. Their business is flourish
ing greater than ever. They now car
ry nearly every article that can be
| found in general merchandise store.
| Engineer Hill runs the lower deck,
where he looks after the mems wants.
and the captain dickers with the women
on the upper deck. and is said to be an
excellent hand at making shrewd
| bargain. She steers their ship of life,
and her husband gallantly responds to
the bells, and "goes ahead" or ''slows
down" as she directs, and happier
couple is unknown. When not on the
river their home is in Portland, where
it is said they have accumulated proper
ty to the amount of about $500
Mrs. Captain Hill is a handsome
brunette, about 5! feet in height, and
Weighing about 140 pounds. She has
the happy faculty of making friends,
and no one is more highly thought of
among her large circle of acquaintance
than is Mrs Captain Minnie Hill.-San
Francisco Chronicle.