Hugh Mulzac facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hugh Nathaniel Mulzac
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Captain Mulzac
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| Born | March 26, 1886 Union Island in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
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| Died | January 30, 1971 (aged 84) |
| Spouse(s) | Marie Avis |
Hugh Nathaniel Mulzac (born March 26, 1886 – died January 30, 1971) was a brave sailor from the Caribbean. He became a very important captain in the United States Merchant Marine. This was a big achievement, especially because of the unfair treatment, called racial discrimination, he faced. Even though he earned his top sailing license in 1918, it took until 1942 for him to finally command his own ship.
Contents
Hugh Mulzac's Amazing Journey
Early Life and Dreams
Hugh Nathaniel Mulzac was born on March 26, 1886. His home was Union Island in a country called Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. His mother, Ada Roseline Dunawa, was a talented piano player. His father, Richard Mulzac, built whaling ships. Hugh went to school in Kingstown, where his grandfather, Rev. James Dunawa, was the head.
Starting a Career at Sea
After high school, Hugh Mulzac began his life on the ocean. He worked on British schooners, which are sailing ships. He went to Swansea Nautical College in Wales to train to become a ship master. In 1918, Hugh moved to the United States.
Within two years, he earned his ship master's certificate. This was a huge moment because he was the first African American to get this license. He worked for the Black Star Line, which was part of Marcus Garvey's Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA). He even served as a captain on their ship, the SS Yarmouth. But after some disagreements, he left the UNIA in 1921. For the next 20 years, even with his license, Hugh could only find work in the kitchen or service parts of ships.
Leading a Ship in World War II
In 1942, a big chance came for Mulzac. He was offered command of the SS Booker T. Washington. This was a special ship because it was the first "Liberty ship" named after an African American. At first, he said no because the crew was going to be all black.
Hugh Mulzac insisted on having a crew of all races. He famously said, "Under no circumstances will I command a Jim Crow" ship. "Jim Crow" was a term for unfair rules that separated people by race. The authorities agreed to his demand. This made him famous for several reasons:
- He was the first black captain.
- He was the first black person to get a ship master's license.
- He was the first black person to command a ship with a crew of different races.
Under his command, the SS Booker T. Washington carried over 18,000 soldiers. It also delivered important war supplies like tanks and planes to Europe during World War II.
Captain Hugh Mulzac also helped the National Maritime Union. This union made sure that there was no unfair treatment based on a person's color, race, or beliefs.
Life After the War
After World War II ended, Mulzac found it hard to get another job as a captain. In 1948, he tried to sue the ship's operators but was not successful. In 1950, he ran for a political job called Queens Borough President in New York. He ran with the American Labor Party but did not win.
Because he was involved in helping workers, he faced problems during a time called McCarthyism. This was when people were unfairly accused of being disloyal to the country. He was "blacklisted," meaning it was hard for him to find work. In 1958, he ran for another political office, New York State Comptroller, but also lost.
Hugh Mulzac was also an artist. He taught himself to paint. In 1958, 32 of his oil paintings were shown in an art exhibit in Manhattan. In 1960, a judge gave him back his sailing papers and license. At 74 years old, he was able to work again as a night mate on a ship.
Captain Mulzac passed away on January 30, 1971, in East Meadow, New York. He was 84 years old.
Family Life
On September 29, 1920, Hugh Mulzac married Miriam Aris from Jamaica. They had four children: Joyce, Una, Claire, and Hugh Jr. Their daughter, Una Mulzac, started a famous bookstore in Harlem that focused on Black history and power. Hugh's nephew, John Ira Mulzac Sr., was a pilot with the Tuskegee Airmen, a group of brave African American pilots.
In Popular Culture
- Hugh Mulzac was mentioned in an episode of the TV show The Suite Life of Zack & Cody. The episode was called "A Nugget of History".
