Bruce Boutlier McLean

Captain Bruce Boutlier McLean (August 22, 1858 – June 24, 1930) was a 19th-century Boston maritime pilot, best known for being a pilot on the pilot boat America. He was a leader among the branch pilots of Boston for 35 years. McLean was a pilot and owner of the pilot boat Liberty. He died in Everett, Massachusetts, in 1930.

Bruce B. McLean
Captain Bruce B. McLean (photo by Horner of the Boston Post).
Born(1858-08-22)August 22, 1858
Hubbards, Nova Scotia
DiedJanuary 24, 1930(1930-01-24) (aged 71)
Everett, Massachusetts, US
NationalityAmerican
OccupationMaritime pilot
SpouseLaura Janet Rutledge
Children3

Early life

Bruce B. McLean was born in Hubbards, Nova Scotia, on August 22, 1858. He was the son of John McLean and Johanna McLean. He married Laura Janet Rutledge on December 20, 1893, in Boston, Massachusetts. They had three children.[1]

Career

McLean went out to sea at an early age. He received his pilot commission on March 13, 1895.[2]

McLean was a pilot on the pilot boat Minerva when she took her trial trip from the National dock at East Boston on March 14, 1896.[3]

McLean knew many of the Boston pilots. On October 1, 1906, he went to the funeral of his friend Captain James L. Smith who died, at age 56 at his home in Arlington, Massachusetts. The other Boston pilots that attended the funeral were, Captain William V. Abbott, Captain James Murdock, Captain Watson S. Dolliver, Captain F. C. Lefray, and Captain George W. Lawlor.[4]

America
Pilot Boat America, No. 1

McLean was best known for being a pilot on the pilot boat America, No. 1. Pilots McLean and James H. Reid, Jr., were assigned to the new boat when she was launched from the shipyard of John Bishop of Gloucester, Massachusetts on March 9, 1897.[5][6]

On April 1, 1898, Captain McLean was in command of the pilot boat America when he rescued the crew of the Nova Scotia vessel Genius, 18 miles off the Boston Light. The rescued men were transferred from the America to the pilot-boat Hesper, No. 5.[7]

On December 10, 1898, Pilot McLean, cruising on the America, No. 1, and boarding the steamship Linchenden from Nicaragua, reported seeing part of the wreckage from the ship Virginian, which was 14 miles from the Highland Light, off cape Cod. He could see the letters Virginian on the stern of the wreckage. She ship was lost at sea with all on board.[8]

In 1900, the pilot boat Louise, No. 2 was owned by Bruce McLean, Joseph Fawcett, John Fawcett, William V. Abbott and Watson S. Dolliver.[9][10]

Liberty
Liberty pilot boat, No. 3.

On April 10, 1902, McLean was a pallbearer at the funeral for Captain E. G. Martin. along with James M. Murdock, John H. Low, C. K. Nelson, F. J. Gevalt, and William McMillian. They were also pilots of the Captain Martin's pilot boat Liberty, No. 3.[11]

On May 4, 1917, a model of the pilot boat Liberty was presented by the pilots of Boston Harbor. McLean helped to produce the model.[12]

On December 25, 1918, Captain McLean boarded the four-masted Norwegian bark Skansen I, and told the captain and crew that World War I had ended. The vessel had been out at sea and was not aware of the signing of the Armistice on November 11, 1918.[13]

Death

McLean died on June 24, 1930, in Everett, Massachusetts, at age 71 years. Funeral services were at his late residence.[6]

See also

References
  1. "1910 US Census: Everett Ward 3, Middlesex, Massachusetts; Roll: T624_597; Page: 11A; Enumeration District: 0806; FHL microfilm: 1374610". Ancestry.com. Retrieved 2021-03-07.
  2. "On Warrant Only May He Serve". The Boston Globe. Boston, Massachusetts. 13 Mar 1895. p. 16. Retrieved 2021-04-02.
  3. "Shows Not A Fault. New Pilot Boat Minerva, No. 7, Given Her Trial Trip in the Bay. First Time Under Sail". The Boston Globe. Boston, Massachusetts. 15 Mar 1896. p. 6. Retrieved 2020-10-31.
  4. "Capt J. L. Smith Buried. Twenty Pilots with Bared Heads Furnished Funeral Escort For Their Dead Comrade". The Boston Globe. Boston, Massachusetts. 5 Oct 1906. p. 16. Retrieved 2021-04-29.
  5. "Along The Water Front". Boston Post. Boston, Massachusetts. 9 Mar 1897. p. 6. Retrieved 2021-02-14.
  6. "Deaths". The Boston Globe. Boston, Massachusetts. 26 Jun 1930. p. 16. Retrieved 2021-03-07.
  7. "In Open Boat. Crew of Sch Genius Had a Close Call". The Boston Globe. Boston, Massachusetts. 1898-04-01. Retrieved 2020-10-14.
  8. "Tell-Tale Wreckage. Pilot McLean Reports Seeing Part of a Bessel With Name Virginian on It". The Boston Globe. Boston, Massachusetts. 10 Dec 1898. p. 1. Retrieved 2 Apr 2021.
  9. "Launch Of Pilot Boat Louise". The Boston Globe. Boston, Massachusetts. 1 May 1900. p. 3. Retrieved 2021-02-16.
  10. Eastman, Ralph M. (1956). Pilots and pilot boats of Boston Harbor. Boston, Massachusetts: Second Bank-State Street Trust Company. p. 54.
  11. "Pilot E. G. Martin Laid at Rest in Woodlawn". Boston Post. Boston, Massachusetts. 10 Apr 1902. p. 18. Retrieved 2 Apr 2021.
  12. "Pilot Boat Model Presented By Boston Harbor Guides". The Boston Globe. Boston, Massachusetts. 4 May 1917. p. 16. Retrieved 2021-02-15.
  13. "Crew Unaware Of End Of War". The Boston Globe. Boston, Massachusetts. 25 Dec 1918. p. 16. Retrieved 2021-03-07.
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