Edouard O. Champagne, superintendent of the department of boiler inspection for the city of Montreal, has been connected with that department of the city government for thirty-five years, during which time he has established a reputation for capability and efficiency in his line that is probably unsurpassed on the continent. Thoroughly progressive and up-to-date, he has kept fully abreast of the advancement made in all lines of manufacture and usage affecting his department.
Mr. Champagne comes from one of the old and prominent families of the province, a family whose members for nearly two hundred and fifty years have been identified with provincial history and have been regarded as of the highest type of French-Canadian citizenship. Edouard O. Champagne was born at Sorel, Quebec, in 1848. His education was acquired at the Christian Brothers College, where he excelled in mechanical drawing and civil engineering and also at the John Allan Model and Classical school of Sorel. He served his apprenticeship as a machinist in the St. Lawrence engine works, after which he was for fourteen years employed on steamboats on the Ottawa and St. Lawrence rivers and Lakes Champlain, Erie and Ontario in his professional capacity.
EDOUARD O. CHAMPAGNE
His splendid record as an engineer of various boats induced the harbor commissioners of Montreal to engage him to run the St. Peter, their best boat, which was never outdistanced during the four years in which he was in charge. In 1872 he obtained a first class certificate from the federal government as a mechanical engineer, being the first French-Canadian to whom was accorded that distinction. In 1879 he was appointed boiler inspector for the city of Montreal by a council, the majority of whose members were English-speaking. His experience has enabled him to solve many of the difficult and intricate problems that arise in connection with the operation of engines, pumps, steam plants, elevators and water and gas plants. In a word, he has expert scientific knowledge and practical mechanical ability and is splendidly qualified for the onerous and important duties which devolve upon him in this connection. As an example of his capability, as well as the value of his services to the city, mention might be made of the heating apparatus of the public baths. In July, 1913, when the question of heating water for the public baths was being considered by the city officials, various types of expensive and complicated apparatus were shown and inspected. The expense of installation, as well as that of fuel and maintenance, represented a large sum if any of those systems had been adopted. Mr. Champagne had given the matter some thought and, with a system of entirely his own planning, offered to install an efficient and economical apparatus for that purpose. How well he succeeded may be inferred from the fact that at an expense of ten dollars he secured the same result, in less than one-half the time, that a system costing ten thousand dollars would have accomplished. Three such equipments were supplied by him, representing a first cost saving of thirty thousand dollars to the city. Being in the city’s employ, he waived all claims to remuneration as an inventor. The city’s requirements in the future will call for a number of such installations, each one of which will mean a saving of an additional ten thousand dollars.
At their annual meeting in 1880 the various members of the Association of Boiler Inspectors of the United States and Canada were invited to submit designs from which the organization’s official seal was to be selected. Mr. Champagne, through illness in his family, was unable to attend this meeting. However, he submitted the design he had planned, and it was adopted. This has ever since been in use as the official seal of the association. The first impression made from the seal, together with a small photogravure of the original drawing, were sent to Mr. Champagne by the officials. The design of the seal is unique and highly appropriate, containing accurate drawings of sixteen dangerous types of boilers which form its circular border. Mr. Champagne has frequently been called upon as an expert in determining causes of boiler explosions, and in matters generally pertaining to his line of business there are few, if any, better posted men in the Dominion.
Mr. Champagne is also a noted marksman and one of the best snapshots in the Dominion. He came into permanent possession of several challenge cups as evidence of his skill. Few men would probably display more modesty over achievements of equal importance and significance than he has done.
In 1895 he came into public notice through his heroism at the Longue Pointe Asylum fire, when he and Chief Benoit saved the lives of over ninety inmates. It is characteristic of him that he never considers himself in the presence of imminent danger, and his faithfulness and fidelity in public service have won him the confidence and high regard of all who know aught of his career. As a citizen he represents the best of the French-Canadian type, has reared an excellent family and, with them, is highly esteemed and respected.