Francis J. Petrie was for many years the City Historian of Niagara Falls, as well as the author of a regular newspaper column in the Niagara Falls Review.
After his death many of his photographs, negatives, slides, and postcards were donated to the Library.
At the time this photograph was taken it belonged to the United States Navy. As of 2011 it is in service in the Royal Australian Navy. - Note & correct identification by Lieutenant (Navy) NCM Armstrong, CD, Canadian Forces