Asa Ribble (1841–1911), a Canadian sailor who attained the rank of captain, served eight terms as mayor of Dresden, Ontario.
Biography
Mayor of Dresden, Ontario
During his first term in 1889, Ribble oversaw the construction of a new bridge over the Sydenham River, replacing the 1864 original. He was also superintendent of agriculture for the short-lived Dresden Sugar Refining Company, which operated a beet sugar factory. In addition, he was instrumental in establishing, in 1901, Dresden's first vegetable-canning factory.
Master mariner
Ribble commanded the steam-powered barge Victoria in 1881. Reprinted in Hamilton, David & MacLeod, Jennifer (eds.) (Spring 1999). Echo Soundings: Excerpts from the Amherstburg Echo. 2 (1): 17 (para 5). Marsh Collection Society. Retrieved 15 September 2024via Maritime History of the Great Lakes. In 1882, he was the master of the "fine new steamer" Byron Trerice, a freighter transporting barrel-staves and cordwood between Detroit and Dresden. Reprinted in Hamilton, David & MacLeod, Jennifer (eds.) (Summer 1999). Echo Soundings: Excerpts from the Amherstburg Echo. 2 (2): 20 (para 9). Marsh Collection Society. Retrieved 15 September 2024via Maritime History of the Great Lakes. Named after the son of its owner, Alexander Trerice, the first mayor of Dresden, it was later refitted to carry passengers. Toronto Marine Historical Society. Retrieved 14 September 2024via Maritime History of the Great Lakes.
He became the owner of the fishtug Ariadne in 1901, Retrieved 14 September 2024via Maritime History of the Great Lakes. with his ownership (or that of his estate) recorded in successive editions of the annual "Great Lakes Register".Great Lakes Register. Detroit: Great Lakes Register & Bureau Veritas. Entries for "Ariadne" or "Ribble": 1905, 1908, 1912, 1913, 1914, and 1915. Retrieved 14 September 2024via Maritime History of the Great Lakes. In 1908, Ribble was the master of the passenger-steamer City of Chatham, which plied Lake Erie between Pelee Island, Kingsville, Leamington, Windsor, and Sandusky.
See also
SteamboatBoat propelled by steam
Notes
References
Further reading
Outlines the economy of the Great Lakes maritime trading network within which Asa Ribble operated, and describes the evolution of Great Lakes steamboat design. Containing several references to Asa Ribble, this work of local history connects his activities as mayor and master mariner with events during the growth and development of Dresden.
External links Asa Ribble at Find a Grave