The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1906-06-07
WOMAN STEAMBOAT CAPTAIN.

Mrs. watkins, Formerly Teacher, Re
ceives a Masters Certificate
When the steam passenger packet
George T. Watkins makes its ipitlal
trip down the picturesque Illinois river
this season, it's chief officer and nayl-
gator will carry the first full master
and pilots certificate ever issued by the
Chicago steamboat inspectors to wo-
man.
Mrs. George T. Watkins, formerly
school teacher later a fireman., and
still later an engineer, was a proud and
happy woman yesterday when she re-
ceived her masters certificate from the
Chicago office, and although 1t Is no
new experience to her to command the
steamer George T. Watkins, she will DC
SO with more dignity and prestige now
that her rank is officially recognized by
the United States government.
Having taken the complete examir1a-
ton for master and having answered
| all the difficult questions pertaining to
navigation steamboats,, signals and
other matters expected Of a captain,
with a clearness and correctness that
| left no doubt Of her complete under
standing of the subjects, there was
lreally nothing for the inspectors OF
steam vessels to do but to issue the
certificate to Mrs. KWatkins.
| Late last fall the steamboat inspec-
tors received authority from the gov
eminent to extend their jurisdiction
over the waters of the Illinois river,
and as soon as the ice went out of the
river, sotthat the stream was naviga-
Ible, the two inspectors took trip down
1 the river.
They visited the several ports where
There were vessels and notified their
owners that the men in charge would
be required to pass an examination and
receive masters licenses before they
would be allowed to make trirs this
season, and had about completed their
trip when they arrived at Ottawa,
where the steamer George I. Watkins
was tied up. Hsa@
| The vessel was tied up at its dock,
and trim looking woman in an Elton
Jacket and short sleeves was directing
some men engaged in making repairs.
1--WE would like to see tine owner,
said Mr.. Mansfield.
II am the owner, with my husband
IGeorge T. Watkins, replied the wo-
man.
1--WE are the steamboat inspectors
from Chicago" said Mr.. Peck helping
his companion out a little, and are
down here inspecting vessels on the
river. We would like to look over youl
boat a little, and then have a talk will
the captain
''You are at liberty to look the boai
over said Mrs. Watkins politely =
am the captain and run the vessel wher
my husband looks after the engines"
The inspectors stared in astontshmen
for their informant did not appear Am
azonian in the least, and spoke with the
moduated accent of a school teacher
!, The idea Of woman directing a ganl
! of deckhands was something of a shocl
| to Mr.. Mansfield, who had been on thu
lakes from a. boy and commanded eve
rything from an old time lugger to {
, modern lake carrier.
The two made their inspection of tn
vessel and returned to the pilot house
where Mrs. Watkins was seated ct
little table porting over a chart Of the Il
linois river.
i, There's a snag down near Starve
Rock we'll have to look out for this sea
son." she remarked cheerfully to tn
= two men, How'd you find the boat?
"All right" said Mr. Mansfield
Now, before we go, suppose yo'
know your husband will have to tax
out a masters license before he run
: the boat this season."
Eyes" said Mrs Watkins. but If
pass the examination, can't I take on
" masters certificate, too?"
1t was new proposition to the in
: spectors, but there was absolutely moth
ing in the regulations against 1t, S
! they told her she could.
The first of the week Mrs. Watkin
and her husband appeared at the of
: flee Of the inspectors in the Federa
building, took the examination, bot
passed, and Mr.. Watkins received bot
: a masters and an engineers certificate
and his wife masters and plots Ger
9 tif1cate Mrs. Watkins is an Illinoi
: woman, having been born In 1867 in Pc
Q Ioria, where she first earned her livin
as a school teacher.-Chicago Int
tneanu