In the late 1800s, a needy young black man was hired to sweep the deck of a ferry that made routine trips down the Ohio River. The job would change his life. The son of former slaves, Cumberland Willis Posey grew up in poverty in Tobacco, Maryland and had never been aboard a water vessel.
Fascinated by his new surroundings, he became a sponge, soaking in as much knowledge as he could about boat mechanics. During his breaks, he would slip into the engine room and study the machinery. While on deck, he watched and learned. Soon, Posey was familiar with power generators, pumps and other instruments that propel ships. His quick learning led to a promotion to crew member and, eventually, to a stroke engineer who operated the boat and was responsible for repairs.
That wasn’t enough for Posey. He sought out an engineering post on a larger, more impressive steamship with the goal of getting licensed. He was met with resistance and repeatedly reminded that such credentials weren’t granted to black men. Yet, he persisted. Although most black shipworkers of his era served as stewards and cooks, the determined Posey broke through the barrier and gained a first assistant engineering license in 1877.
Then came another hurdle – finding a ship that would overlook his race and allow him the rank of head engineer. The opportunity happened sooner than expected, and Posey became the first African-American to receive a chief engineering license in the United States and work as ship captain.
After marrying and settling down in Pennsylvania, Posey began to dabble in the coal business and establish his own fleet. His business, the Posey Steamboat Company, provided jobs for up to 1,000 employees. Meanwhile, he oversaw the construction of forty-one boats and the creation of the Diamond Coke and Coal Company, a venture that further bolstered his income and positioned him as one of the richest men in his community and among the wealthiest black men in the US.
By the turn of the century, Pennsylvania’s coal and boat manufacturing industry was booming and the economy had experienced a huge boost — all because of an incurable dreamer who wouldn’t take no for an answer: Captain. C. W. Posey, another hidden figure of black history.
Leave a Reply