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Molly Kool: First Female Captain of the Atlantic
Born and raised in Alma, New Brunswick, Molly Kool started her life at sea helping her father sail the lumber scow the Jean K through some of the most challenging waters in the world, including the changing tides of the Bay of Fundy and the Reversing Falls in Saint John. When it came time for Molly to choose her own career, her first instinct was to get her captain's licence, but doing so would involve more than just hard work―it would also mean changing some of Canada's oldest laws. But thanks to her inspiring example and the tireless efforts of contemporaries in the 1930s and '40s, the Shipping Act of Canada was changed and Molly became the first female sea captain in North America. With interviews, colour photos, and background on other women pioneers and shipping practices in the early twentieth century, Molly Captain of the Atlantic also includes an interview with the first woman to command a Canadian warship, Commander Josee Kurtz.
120 pages, Paperback
First published October 16, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
December 30, 2016
A lovely little book about the history of a young woman challenging male roles in New Brunswick. It ends with a chapter on my colleague and friend, Josee Kurtz of the Canadian Navy. Good historical book on Canadian women at sea.
February 13, 2022
This little gem of a book (barely 100 pages) tells the tale of the "1st Female Captain of the Atlantic Ocean". Molly Kool was born and raised not far from where I now live and always wanted to be at sea - a tribute to her seafaring father. Born in 1916, Molly was ahead of her time - a feminist her entire long & eventful life - who led the way for women at sea and in the armed forces.
The book tells her story, along with the history of the shipping & lumber industries in the Atlantic Provinces, the tenacity & integrity of the people involved during a time between 2 world wars and a depression. Pages are full of well-preserved photos, as well as "info boxes" to provide additional facts & details, and excerpts from interviews with Molly herself. There is a wealth of information packed into these pages and I learned much about the area.
Molly Kool was an intelligent, clever, attractive, driven, stubborn, and talented young woman who knew what she wanted, and did whatever she could to achieve it. She basically lived on the family scow much of her life to make a living, but more importantly to help her father, whom she adored. Eventually, she gave it up and moved to the USA with the 2nd of her 2 husbands.
It was a quick read but most interesting. I now intend to take a little road trip later this year to explore her area and museum.
The book tells her story, along with the history of the shipping & lumber industries in the Atlantic Provinces, the tenacity & integrity of the people involved during a time between 2 world wars and a depression. Pages are full of well-preserved photos, as well as "info boxes" to provide additional facts & details, and excerpts from interviews with Molly herself. There is a wealth of information packed into these pages and I learned much about the area.
Molly Kool was an intelligent, clever, attractive, driven, stubborn, and talented young woman who knew what she wanted, and did whatever she could to achieve it. She basically lived on the family scow much of her life to make a living, but more importantly to help her father, whom she adored. Eventually, she gave it up and moved to the USA with the 2nd of her 2 husbands.
It was a quick read but most interesting. I now intend to take a little road trip later this year to explore her area and museum.
July 5, 2022
I liked how the author doesn't try to present Molly as likeable, and includes quotes in which she's quite impatient and rude to people. She was just determined to the job she wanted to do and knew she was good at, she didn't have time to be cute or nice to people who were interviewing her about how special she was for being a woman captain. It was interesting to read about how many of the sailors and captains who knew her were willing to help her and make exceptions for her because they knew she was dedicated to the profession they loved. They didn't care that she was a woman, just that she was someone in the next generation who was willing to learn what they knew and carry it forward. The book seems detailed and well-researched, not too much speculation or personal commentary from the author. The edition I have had some mistakes in printing, e.g. pages out of order.
March 9, 2023
Absolutely incredible. It was quite empowering and inspiring to read about such a bold and accomplished woman- from my own country, no less. I even finished it on International Women’s Day. Molly Kool’s story is definitely one that all women, Canadian or otherwise, should know.
August 3, 2020
Great.
May 29, 2012
This was a hugely inspirational story and a great role model for all women, especially young girls. A real Canadian & dare I say feminist heroine?! My only complaint was that the book was a bit thin. I would've liked to have seen the story fleshed out more. I was hoping for a real biography, but this has the look & feel of one of those Scholastic books for kids. I'm awfully glad that this book exists, though!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews