Captain Charles Edward Moody's Extensive Great Lakes Career Detailed, Including 1917 Christopher Columbus Accident
Captain Charles Edward Moody, a prominent figure in Great Lakes maritime history, commanded various vessels for over six decades, beginning his career at age 14 in 1864. His extensive service included sailing vessels, early steamers, Milwaukee harbor tugs, Flint & Pere Marquette Railway steamers, railroad carferries, steel bulk freighters, and whalebacks. Moody is particularly noted for his 26 seasons as master of the passenger whaleback Christopher Columbus, an unusual vessel designed for excursion service. On June 30, 1917, while departing Milwaukee for Chicago with 413 passengers, the Christopher Columbus was involved in a tragic accident. Heavy rains had swollen the Milwaukee River, creating strong currents that complicated the steamer's maneuver. As the vessel swung stern-first, it struck supports beneath a water tank on the Yahr-Lange Drug Company dock, causing the tank to collapse onto the ship. The impact crushed upper decks and the pilothouse, resulting in 16 fatalities and over 20 serious injurie... 
