Molly Kool
Molly Kool | |
---|---|
Born | Myrtle Kool February 23, 1916 Alma, New Brunswick, Canada |
Died | February 25, 2009 Bangor, Maine, U.S. | (aged 93)
Resting place | Herring Cove, Fundy National Park |
Nationality | Canadian / American |
Known for | One of the first female sea captain in North America[1] |
Title | Captain |
Spouse(s) | Ray Blaisdell (m. 1944; died 1964) John Carney (m. c. 1965; her death 2009) |
Myrtle "Molly" Kool (February 23, 1916 – February 25, 2009)[2][3] was a Canadian sea captain. She is recognized as being one of the first registered female sea captains or ship masters in North America.[4] She was one of the first female Master Mariners in Canada.
Biography
Early life
Kool was born in Alma, New Brunswick, the daughter of Myrtle Anderson and Paul Kool, a Dutch sailor. She grew up sailing, eventually becoming captain of Jean K, a 21-metre (69 ft) scow owned by her father.
Career
At age 21, Kool joined the Merchant Marine School in
Later life and death
In 1944, after her ship caught fire,[5] Kool left life at sea to marry Ray Blaisdell of Bucksport, Maine in 1944.[6] Blaisdell died in the 1960s and she remarried, wedding John Carney of Orrington, Maine.[7] Kool eventually retired fully after losing both her legs to a vascular disease.
Kool spent her remaining years in a seniors care home in Bangor, Maine. She died from pneumonia in a hospital in Bangor, aged 93. Her ashes were scattered on the Bay of Fundy at Herring Cove, near her birthplace.[8]
Legacy
In 2018 the Canadian Coast Guard named an icebreaker after her as CCGS Captain Molly Kool, and in 2019 a sailing ship was named in her honour.
A monument to her accomplishment was erected near the wharf in Alma. As of 2011[update], the home she grew up in is being rebuilt from the original remains and an exhibit is planned at the entrance of Fundy National Park.
References
- ^ Welldon, Christine (2011). Molly Kool: Captain of the Atlantic. Nimbus Publishing.
- ^ Wallace, Kate (February 27, 2009). "Legendary captain Molly Kool dies at 93". Saint John Telegraph-Journal. pp. A1–A2. Retrieved 2009-02-27.
- ^ Fox, Margalit (2009-03-02). "Molly Kool, 93, a Pioneer of the Coastal Waters, Dies". The New York Times. Retrieved 2009-03-03.
- ISBN 1-55109-267-0.
- ^ "Albert County Heritage 25 - Molly Kool". Albert County Historical Society Museum. Archived from the original on 2013-01-15. Retrieved 2009-02-27.
- ^ "A Trailblazer of the Seas".
- ^ ""Molly Kool" Carney of Alma New Brunswick the first woman Sea Captain in North America". June 30, 2007. Retrieved 2009-02-27.
- ^ "Capt. Molly Kool's ashes spread over Bay of Fundy". CBC News. July 6, 2009. Retrieved 2009-07-06.
External links
- "Albert County Heritage #25 - Molly Kool". Albert County Historical Society Museum. Archived from the original on 2013-01-15. Retrieved 2009-02-27.
- Brewer, Allison (November 7, 2000). "Captain Molly Kool". section15.ca. Retrieved 2009-02-27.
- Obituary in the Morning Sentinel