Capt. Charles Dunn
Master Mariner

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Charles Bushnell Dunn was born August 23, 1903, in Birmingham, Alabama, to Charles and Willie Emilie Dunn. He was the second of six children and the oldest boy. He spent his childhood in the Dunn-Bushnell household in Macon, Georgia.

In 1916, at the age of 13, he embarked on his sea-going career. As a youth he sailed with the JOSEPH DOLLAR, one of the last American flag, four-masted, bark sailing vessels. In his later years, he would recall how he used to hang by his teeth on the rigging.

Captain Charles Dunn first sailed as master of a Panamanian vessel in 1941, and he obtained his Master’s license, any tonnage upon any ocean, in 1942. He sailed as master of American flag vessels until his retirement.

During World War II, he survived two torpedoings, one off of Murmansk and one in the Pacific. In 1943 he commenced working for the Calmar Steamship Corporation.

In 1965, at the age of 63, he was captain of the S.S. KENMAR, sailing to 44 different ports, including 24 in South Vietnam. He died at age 69; his wife Charlotte was with him.

Submitted by Jacky Dunn (niece)