William Matson (October 18, 1849 - October 11, 1917) was an American shipping executive. He was the founder of Matson Navigation Company.

Contents 1 Background 2 Career 3 Personal Life 4 References 5 Primary Source 6 Other Sources 7 External links

[edit] Background

William Matson was born in Lysekil in Västra Götaland County, Sweden and orphaned during childhood. He attended public schools in Sweden, then took an intermission of a year to go to sea at the early age of ten.

[edit] Career

Matson came to New York in 1863 as a cabin boy at age 14. Working his way up in the maritime world, he arrived in San Francisco after a trip around Cape Horn in 1867. At the end of two years he was captain of a vessel, engaged chiefly in carrying coal to the Spreckels Sugar Company Refinery. Working aboard the Spreckels family yacht, Captain Matson struck up a friendship with tycoon Claus Spreckels, who would finance many of Matson's new ships. In 1882, he bought his first ship called Emma Claudina, named for Spreckels’ daughter.^[1]

Captain Matson had learned there was money to be made carrying sugar from the Hawaiian Islands. In 1882 the Emma Claudina ran to the Hawaiian Islands. The enterprise began in the carrying of merchandise, especially of plantation stores, to the islands and returning with cargoes of sugar. This led to gradually expanding interests at both ends of the line, which kept pace with the commercial development of the country. In 1887, Matson sold the Emma Claudina and acquired the brigantine Lurline, which more than doubled the former vessel's carrying capacity. Soon he had three vessels running.^[2]

Increased commerce brought a corresponding interest in Hawaii as a tourist attraction. The 146-passenger ship S.S. Wilhelmina followed in 1910. More steamships continued to join the fleet. When Captain Matson died in 1917 at 67, the Matson fleet comprised 14 of the largest, fastest and most modern ships in the Pacific passenger-freight service.^[3][4]

In addition to serving as president of the Matson Navigation Co., Captain Matson was president of Honolulu Consolidated Oil Co., Commercial Petroleum Co., Atlas Wonder Mining Co., Wonder Waler Co. Additionally he served as a director of the National Ice Co., Honolulu Plantation Co., Paauhau Sugar Plantation Co., and Hakalau Plantation Co.. One of the high honors conferred upon Captain Matson was his appointment as Consul of Sweden, giving him jurisdiction over the the Pacific Coast of the United States.^[5]

[edit] Personal Life

In 1888 Lillie Low, traveling to Hilo to teach in the missionary school, sailed on the Lurline and met Captain William Matson. After teaching a year in Hawaii, Lillie married Captain Matson in Hawaii in May, 1889. Their only child, Lurline Berenice, was born on September, 1890 and named for her father's ship.^[6]

[edit] References

[edit] Primary Source

• Capt. William Matson (Press Reference Library. Southwest Edition: Being the Portraits and Biographies of Progressive Men of the South-West. "Los Angeles Examiner", Los Angeles: 1912) [7]

[edit] Other Sources

• Cushing, John E. Captain William Matson: From Handy Boy to Ship Owner (Newcomen Society in North America. New York : 1951)

[edit] External links

• Matson Navigation Company 1913 signed by Founder, William Matson