I sailed with Union-Castle from the 27th May 1949 until the 24th December 1959. My last ship was the Capetown Castle as 2nd Officer.

I was a deck officer from October 1951 until my last ship the "Capetown Castle " as Second Officer in 1959

The ship that feature mostly in my discharge book was the Arundel Castle. I was sent ther first when still a cadet in October 1951. The Captain was DD Mackenzie who was really upset to have an officer wthout a licence.

When they sent me back as Extra 4th he was even more upset and exclaimed that next voyage I would be Fourth.

That did not happen. I went to the Athlone and then the Edinburgh.

By that time I had my sea time in and went to get qualified.

James H. Lowe (known as Jim or Joe), aged 94, passed away on June 10, 2026.

He is survived by his three sons: Simon (Lani), Nigel (Jennifer), and Peter; his sister-in-law Maureen; his brother-in-law Howard; his grandchildren Bridget, Elizabeth, and Brandon; and his great-grandchildren Liam, James, and Noah. He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 34 years, Jean, and his younger brother, Phillip.

James was born in Kirkby-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, England, to James and Eva Lowe, and was the eldest of two sons. He married Jean on November 1, 1958, at the Church of St Mary and All Saints (the “Crooked Spire”) in Chesterfield, England.

In 1960, James and Jean immigrated to Canada, later settling in the United States, where they raised their three sons in Florida. When Jean was diagnosed with cancer, James chose early retirement in order to care for her throughout her illness.

Following her passing in 1993, he returned to Canada, first settling in Owen Sound, where he worked as a professor at Georgian College. He took great pride in teaching and was deeply committed to preparing his students for success, often remarking that he wanted them trained to a standard he would expect under his own command. After several years of retirement, he moved to Elliot Lake in 2020.

In recent years, his sons learned that whenever he was complimented on any of his sons, he would always humbly credit their mother, Jean.

In accordance with his wishes, cremation has taken place.

James had a long and varied career as a Merchant Marine. To his sons, however, he was simply Dad. While they were always proud of him, they only recently came to understand the full extent of his professional accomplishments.

The following Biography is from an International Shipmasters Association (ISMA) event and was graciously provided by a former shipmate and later fellow Georgian College professor, Captain S. O’Donoghue:

James H. Lowe began his Naval Career in his native home, going to school aboard HMS Conway, and then serving as a 17-year old Officer Cadet in 1949, for the Union Castle Line of London, England. After receiving his certification, he signed on and, in ten years, rose to the rank of First Officer. In 1960 he emigrated to Canada, and began his second career as Marine Surveyor for the Tower Insurance Company of Toronto, specializing in cargo surveying.

In 1962 he joined the Canadian Coast Guard as Chief Mate. He supervised the construction and fitting of and then commanded the Search and Rescue Cutter “Relay”. During that time, he also assisted with the development of protocols for working with Rescue Coordination Centre Trenton.

In 1963, his experience on survey, supply and icebreaking vessels enabled him to be “loaned out” to the T. Eaton Company. He managed the complete operation of the three-vessel fleet of yachts (ranging in size from 52 feet to 175 feet) and was responsible for the hiring, training and management of the crews. He also captained whichever vessel was being used by the Eaton family at the time. He stayed with the fleet until it was disposed of by the Executor of the Eaton estate in 1978. Jim also managed to open and operate a successful sail-making business during this period from 1972-1978.

In 1978 Jim moved over to the U.L.S. Group as Chief Mate on board their bulk carriers, later moving to Self-Unloaders. He was then promoted to Captain, and from 1980 to 1994 he operated Self-Unloaders on the Great Lakes, Eastern Seaboard, Caribbean, East and West Coasts of Mexico, and throughout Europe. He gained the nick name of “Gentleman Jim” in the ULS fleet, and was extremely well liked and known throughout the Great Lakes community.

During the winter seasons form 1983-1986 he could be found working as an Ice Pilot in the Gulf of St. Lawrence on foreign flagged ships. During the Summer months from 1994-1999 he worked as a relief master on the Great Lakes.

From 1994 to 2015 he worked at Georgian College as a professor, teaching a variety of subjects including Astro Navigation, Chartwork, Stability, Marine Emergency Duties, Seamanship, Ship’s Business, Navigation Aids, Signals and Communication, Marine Simulation and Ship handling, marking Cadet Logbooks, and conducted one-on-one tutoring classes. He has acted as an expert witness into coroners’ inquests into the sinking of ships and the loss of life for the Province of Ontario. As a teacher he was very well respected by students, because not only was he a professional, and a knowledgeable, experienced Captain, but he could tell greatest of sea stories enthralling all who listened.