George fielding Swan was born on July 2nd. 1896. His parents were George Swan Sr. and Elizabeth Swan. He was brother to Lancelot Swan former member of Parliament representing St. George’s Parish and his Sister Ianthe Swan married George (Buster ) Tucker. Fielding was blest to be born during the reign of Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee and the same year the Bermuda Militia Artillery was formed.

Fielding attended school in St. David’s and went on to attend Cripple Gate School in Baileys’ Bay. He completed his education under the tutelage of Mr. Percival in Flatt. Reaching working age his first job was at Princess Hotel as an elevator operator and later as a Bellman. He was determined to further his education so he went of to America to live, and he obtained work at Aspinwall Hotel, and attended night school where he completed several correspondence courses before returning to Bermuda. In 1917 he accepted his first job on a boat noting that at that time there were no passenger ships coming to the Island and Bermuda was in a desperate state as people needed food supplies.

Three men joined forces Mr. N.H.P. Vesey, Mr. Misick and Sir Stanley Spurling met with the Admiralty requesting an old cruiser that would enable them to travel to U.S for supplies fortunately permission was granted and they acquired the boat named the Charybdis which was a former Royal Navy cruiser, it was converted for passengers and freight service in March 1918 by the Bermuda Government. Mr. Swan signed on as a fireman he had gained a bit of knowledge in that field while working on the docks and from his father who was an engineer.

In 1921, Fielding married Arlene Douglas of that union were six children. He worked on various tugs one being the Powerful a100ft long tug belonging to John S. Darrell and Tugs also belonging to W.E. Meyer. He also worked on the Baldrock a 150-foot ocean going tug stationed in Bermuda between 1919 to the mid 1920’s. It was leased to The Bermuda Bunkering Company by the U.S. Shipping Board. During the second World War between 1939-1945 several hotels closed and Fielding had to seek further employment to support his family. Pilot Walter Darrell encouraged him to apply for a vacant pilot position. St. David’s is known for it’s pilots and most were colored. He would be among some more experienced pilots and likely learn from the best for example William Darrell, his son Walter, Charles Griffith and Robert Kennedy they were Branch Pilots and proficient in piloting any ship. Fielding’s training would be on the job. He had months of intensive training under the direction of senior pilots on every type of boat available, he passed with a grade of 98 per cent, by the time he reached his thirties he became a temporary pilot and was allowed to take ships only from Five Fathom Hole to Murray’s Anchorage. By 1942, he had become a first-class Pilot.

FROM PILOTING TO CRICKET

George Fielding Swan had no problem getting involved, in 1922 he joined the Hannibal Lodge under the Grand Lodge of Ireland, and advanced to the position of Worshipful Grand Master.

In 1956 he received a letter of appreciation for his piloting skills from the Captain of the U.S. Warship Taconic which was here for the historic meeting between the U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower and British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan. He joined the St. George’s Cricket Club at the age of 16 and played his first cup match in 1918 at age 22 he was selected as the opening bat. He played in ten Cup Match games and was Captain in 1919,1936 and 1940. He was President of St. George Cricket Club from 1953-1957. He served on several club committees and worked toward the club owing its own club and grounds. Fielding also enjoyed running and ran 9 times in the Bermuda Half Marathon Derby. He returned to the hospitality industry and worked at St. George’s Hotel as head Bellman. He joined his sons business as assistant General manager of Swan Brothers.

He was a member of Pembroke Hamilton Club. Treasurer of the Bermuda Cricket Board of Control. Member of the Bermuda Boxing Association and Member of Richard Allen A.M.E. church where he sang in the choir. Mr. George Fielding Swan was like a man for all seasons and gave his heart to make life better for his fellow men. Well done Fielding your dreams were satisfied and your legacy has gone down in history for all to cherish and remember.

More research on this bio by Cecille S Simmons. RG.

Scribed by Joy Wilson-Tucker Historian