From the October, 1913 issue of Erie Railroad Magazine
Capt. C.D. Ross is a fresh water sailor who has poked his nose into about every nook and corner of the Great Lakes, and is full of their tales and their history. He first sailed for President Underwood when the latter was general manager of the "Soo" road, back in 1889, and has been one of his trusted masters most of the time since, serving as first officer of the Washburn, master of the passenger steamer Lora, and of the steamships Alice Stafford and Hennepin.
He took command of the Erie steamer Binghamton four years ago and has had his present command two years. Captain Ross is a man of more than usual intelligence and understands many things, outside his own field. He is a jolly fresh water sailor, with characteristics typical of his calling, and maintains discipline aboard his craft in a way that is easily understood by his crew as meaning business, but he is in no way despotic. In fact, he is among the most kindly commanders on the Great Lakes, as well as the best and most favorably known.
From the May, 1916 issue of Erie Railroad Magazine:
Capt. Charles Douglas Ross, a resident of Buffalo for more than twenty-eight years, died at his home in that city, recently, after an extended illness. He was 67 years old.
Capt. Ross was born at Woodstock, Ont., and started to follow the lakes in his youth. For many years he was one of the best known captains on the lakes. For a long time he was connected with the Soo Line, and in the last seven years had been captain of steamer F. D. Underwood of the Erie Lake line.