The New-York Times, 6 October 1888
FLAGS AT HALF MAST
---
DEATH AT SEA OF CAPT. GLEADELL OF THE GERMANIC
---
Capt. Benjamin Gleadell, commander of the White Star Line steamship
Germanic, and one of the most experienced Captains in the Atlantic
service, died suddenly on Thursday night, Sept. 27.
The steamer left Queenstown at 1:40 P. M. of that day and Capt. Gleadell
remained on deck until 5:30 P M., when he left the bridge in charge of
Chief Officer Roberts, with the request that he be called if the weather
grow thick.
At about 5:30 on the following morning the weather began to show signs
of thickening and Third Officer Dow went below to call the Captain.
Receiving no answer to his repeated knocks at the chartroom door he
burst it open and discovered the body of the Captain lying face down
upon the deck. The ship's surgeon, Dr. Fourness Brice, and Dr.
Gilfillan, a passenger, pronounced all efforts futile in the Captain's
behalf. It was their opinion that the Captain had been dead some hours
and that apoplexy had been the fatal disease. The chief officer
immediately assumed command of the ship and brought her into port. The
agents were notified by telegraph of their loss when the vessel arrived
in the Lower Bay and word was immediately sent to his family in
Liverpool.
Capt. Gleadell was born in Lincoln, England, 59 years ago, and went to
sea at the age of 14. He obtained his first command, the Cella, about 20
years ago, and in her laid the cable in the China Sea. Fifteen years ago
he entered the White Star Line's service, his first ship being the
Atlantic. He left her the voyage before she was lost. Afterward he took
charge of the Republic, the Baltic, and the Celtic, remaining on the
Celtic nine years and sailing 96 voyages in her. Two years ago he
succeeded Capt. Kennedy on the Germanic.
Capt. Gleadell's record is full of evidence that he was a thorough
seaman and a gallant man. His best work was done on the Celtic. In 1881
he navigated this ship from midocean to port, on her eastward trip, with
a broken.stern post. In Christmas week, 1883, he again took her into
port under adverse circumstances, this time her main shaft being broken.
Capt. Gleadell had many medals and testimonials of his service in saving
lives. One of his most celebrated rescues was that of the crew and
passengers of the schooner Island Bell, off Newfoundland, in January,
1877. For this he received a gold clasp from the Humane Society and a
gold watch from the President of the United States.
The body will be taken back to England, where the Captain leaves a widow
and five children. A memorial service was given on the Germanic Sunday,
under the direction of Bishop Seymour of Illinois. Resolutions of
condolence were passed by the saloon passengers on Monday. The flags of
the shipping were generally suspended at half mast in honor of the dead.
-30-
FLAGS AT HALF MAST
---
DEATH AT SEA OF CAPT. GLEADELL OF THE GERMANIC
---
Capt. Benjamin Gleadell, commander of the White Star Line steamship
Germanic, and one of the most experienced Captains in the Atlantic
service, died suddenly on Thursday night, Sept. 27.
The steamer left Queenstown at 1:40 P. M. of that day and Capt. Gleadell
remained on deck until 5:30 P M., when he left the bridge in charge of
Chief Officer Roberts, with the request that he be called if the weather
grow thick.
At about 5:30 on the following morning the weather began to show signs
of thickening and Third Officer Dow went below to call the Captain.
Receiving no answer to his repeated knocks at the chartroom door he
burst it open and discovered the body of the Captain lying face down
upon the deck. The ship's surgeon, Dr. Fourness Brice, and Dr.
Gilfillan, a passenger, pronounced all efforts futile in the Captain's
behalf. It was their opinion that the Captain had been dead some hours
and that apoplexy had been the fatal disease. The chief officer
immediately assumed command of the ship and brought her into port. The
agents were notified by telegraph of their loss when the vessel arrived
in the Lower Bay and word was immediately sent to his family in
Liverpool.
Capt. Gleadell was born in Lincoln, England, 59 years ago, and went to
sea at the age of 14. He obtained his first command, the Cella, about 20
years ago, and in her laid the cable in the China Sea. Fifteen years ago
he entered the White Star Line's service, his first ship being the
Atlantic. He left her the voyage before she was lost. Afterward he took
charge of the Republic, the Baltic, and the Celtic, remaining on the
Celtic nine years and sailing 96 voyages in her. Two years ago he
succeeded Capt. Kennedy on the Germanic.
Capt. Gleadell's record is full of evidence that he was a thorough
seaman and a gallant man. His best work was done on the Celtic. In 1881
he navigated this ship from midocean to port, on her eastward trip, with
a broken.stern post. In Christmas week, 1883, he again took her into
port under adverse circumstances, this time her main shaft being broken.
Capt. Gleadell had many medals and testimonials of his service in saving
lives. One of his most celebrated rescues was that of the crew and
passengers of the schooner Island Bell, off Newfoundland, in January,
1877. For this he received a gold clasp from the Humane Society and a
gold watch from the President of the United States.
The body will be taken back to England, where the Captain leaves a widow
and five children. A memorial service was given on the Germanic Sunday,
under the direction of Bishop Seymour of Illinois. Resolutions of
condolence were passed by the saloon passengers on Monday. The flags of
the shipping were generally suspended at half mast in honor of the dead.
-30-