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THE GOOD CAPTAIN Ships and maritime life on the Great Lakes have inspired many poets and songwriters over the years. In July 1915, William D. Totten, an attorney from Seattle, was a passenger aboard the Goodrich steamer Alabama, at that time commanded by Captain W. E. Franklin. He later penned a poem titled “The Good Captain,” which he dedicated to the shipmasters of the Goodrich line. When Goodrich received the poem, the company’s vice president and general manager, H. W. Thorp, made copies of it and sent it to all the ship captains. I found it in the Stufflebeam collection at the Muskegon County Museum archives and received permission to publish it. The Good Captain Beneath a clouded midnight sky When angry waves ran mountains high, A captain paced the deck And through the darkness peered ahead, While o’er the deep his vessel sped Avoiding shoal and wreck. The sleeping passengers below His many trials could not know, On him they well relied; And when the dreary night had passed They saw the stately ship made fast In port—her master’s pride. In many a voyage he’d set sail From port to port through storm and gale, And brought her safely through; But he alone was made aware Of burdens of a Master’s care For hardships well he knew. 155 the good captain He always did his duty well And his admirers proudly tell Of all his virtues fair, His sweet reward is honest fame, A record clean, an honored name And praises rich and rare. Life’s work well done, its race well run, When gleamed for him its evening sun. At peace with all mankind, Still masterful he saw afar, The gleaming of God’s evening star, Which all good seamen find. Wm. D. Totten November 22, 1915 Seattle 156 ...

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