Death of Captain John B. Estes of Charlotte

The recent death of Captain John B. Estes of Charlotte at the age of or more than 90 years has brought into review something of the remarkable career of this last sailor whose record was when there were in reality “Men before the Mast.” In the 75 years that Captain Estes sailed the Great Lakes he came to know them on fair weather and as foul the plainsmen know the range.

The record of Capt. Estes eventful life runs thus:

He was born on Wolf Island on the St. Lawrence River in 1818. He was a lad of only 13 when he shipped before the mast of a trading schooner plying between St. Lawrence and Michigan ports. Three years later saw him as first mate and yet scarcely more than a boy, he took command of the General Porter. Without doubt he was the youngest skipper that sailed the Great Lakes. Later he succeeded to command of the schooner Pennsylvania and the brig New York.

While captain of the schooner Oneida which was daters as the fleetest sailing vessel on the Great Lakes, Capt. Estes left Chicago together with a fleet of vessels from that and nearby ports. Lake Erie reached, a tremendous gale sprang up, carrying away the foremast and much of the canvas, but by wonderful seamanship the ship was worked under the lee of Long Point and stayed there till the storm subsided when she continued on to Lawanda where the disabled vessel was repaired and Capt. Estes proceeded to Clayton. There he learned that of the fleet that had stared out only one boat beside his own had lived the gale out to arrive in the St. Lawrence port.

Subsequently Captain Estes commanded the Niagara and the schooner Oneida Chief. It was with the last named vessel so notable a record was made that Capt. Estes was transferred to Cataract plying between Ogdensburg and Toronto. In 1859 he took command of the steamer Ontario and for 18 seasons Capt. Estes had practically the same crew so popular was he with his men. The Ontario later became the Abyssinian when the old steamship company was merged into the present Richelieu & Ontario Navigation Co. Captain Estes still remaining command. Later he commanded the steamers Admiral, Rothsey, Sylvan Stream, Pilgrim and St. Lawrence. In 1900 though then a man of more than 80, Capt. Estes took command of the steamer Unique which was running as an excursion boat between St. Lawrence and Ontario ports. Previous to his assuming command the vessel had six captains during that season.

In all his nearly 70 years of experience Capt. Estes never had an accident to a boat under his command and within that time he save 60 persons from drowning.

He was a member of Montcalm Lodge, I.O.O.F. of Clayton.