William Carson

Sir William Carson (baptised 4 June 1770 – 26 February 1843), often called "The Great Reformer", was an important doctor and businessman in Newfoundland. Carson's primary contribution to Newfoundland was the application of modern agricultural principles.

Upon immigrating to Newfoundland in 1806 from Scotland, Carson set to work clearing a large patch of land near St. John's. He also began calling for increased economic support from England, a more organized fishery in the area and better treatment of the local natives.

Between 1820 and 1832, he led the movement in Newfoundland's struggle for representative government along with people such as Patrick Doyle.This culminated in Carson's election to office in 1832. While in office, he was noted for helping quarantine an outbreak of cholera in the area.

From 1838 to 1841, Carson was Speaker of the Newfoundland House of Assembly.

The ferry M/V William Carson was named in his honour. It was the Newfoundland ferry and was so big that for the first three years it could not sail into Port-aux-Basques harbour so it sailed out of Argentia.

William J. Carson (Medal of Honor)

William J. Carson (August 30, 1840 – December 13, 1913) was a United States Army soldier and recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions at the Battle of Chickamauga in the American Civil War.

Carson, a bugler and private in the 15th United States Infantry Regiment of the United States Regular Army, helped rally a detachment of the Regular Army Brigade (Regular Brigade) of the Union Army of the Cumberland to hold an advanced position for a critical period of time at the Battle of Stones River on December 31, 1862. The forward regiments held off a large Confederate attack long enough to permit the Union forces which were withdrawing elsewhere on the battlefield to regroup and hold critical defensive lines protecting their supply line and route of retreat over the Nashville turnpike and a railroad line. The forward regiments ultimately had to withdraw in haste in the face of superior force but then held key fallback defensive positions and held the field at the end of the battle. While in the retreat across an open field and under fire, Carson helped a wounded comrade from the battlefield, which saved him from probable death on the field or capture.

William Carson (disambiguation)

Sir William Carson (1770–1843) was a politician from Newfoundland

William Carson may also refer to:

See also

MV William Carson

M/V William Carson was a CN Marine passenger/vehicle icebreaker ferry named in honour of Newfoundland colonial politician William Carson.

Built by Canadian Vickers Ltd. in Montreal, Quebec, William Carson measured 351 feet (107 m) in length and displaced 8,300 tons. Primarily a freight/cargo ferry, she had a capacity for 260 passengers and 60 cars which were loaded through a side ramp.

Designed for service between Port aux Basques and North Sydney, Nova Scotia by Canadian National Railways, she was commissioned in 1955. One of the largest vessels built in Canada at the time, her immense size forced her to use the more spacious harbour at Argentia for her first three years in service while the Port aux Basques harbour was modified to accept her.

William Carson was reassigned to the seasonal Labrador coastal service in 1976, operating between Lewisporte and Happy Valley-Goose Bay.

Sinking

In 1977, early in only the second season on the Labrador run, William Carson sank in 500 feet (150 m) of water on the night of 2 June / morning of 3 June 1977 after striking a small iceberg while navigating 12 nautical miles (22 km) off Battle Harbour. All 129 passengers and 29 crew aboard at the time survived.