Fonds MS-2-723 - John Paterson fonds

John Paterson lived in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, for many years and played a significant role in the arming of Canadian merchant ships during World War Two. He was born on 23 June 1887 in Wick, Scotland, and moved to Paisley when he was 14 to work in the shops and drawing offices of Fleming and Young. He later earned a diploma in engineering from Paisley Technical College and sailed as 5th engineer on Johnston Line Ships, bringing cattle to Liverpool. After working on cargo ships in the Mediterranean he took his Extra Chief Engineer's Certificate in London and then moved to Port Glasgow, Scotland, to gain experience in naval architecture. Following World War One, he moved to Canada and worked at the Welland Canal in Ontario until 1921, when he moved east and became superintendent of Dartmouth Marine Slips at the Halifax Ship Yards, a position he held for 37 years until his retirement in 1958. He was active in his community, serving on the Dartmouth town council, the municipal school board, the ferry commission and the Dartmouth Rotary Club. He also served as an elder in St. James United Church, a member of the North British Society, and a director of the Dartmouth Boys Club. Following his retirement, he consulted with shipping interests and taught at the Dartmouth Marine Engineers' School. Paterson was married to Hilda M. Long, from Ireland, and had four daughters. He died in 1973.