The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-11-16
THE LATE JOSEPH B. VAN DEUsEN

YAcHTsMAN REVIEWS THE CHARACTER AND
LABoRs OF THE GREAT sHIPBUIIDER.
To TUE EDITOR ov THE HgRALD:-
In the death of Mr. Joseph u. Van Dcusen which
occurred sore few days since yachtsmen lost warm
hearted genial friend tho community valued life
Descended directly from the old Dutch settlers OF The
Mohawk Valley and born upon the banks Of that his
toric river, young Van Deuscn early developed an m
terest in architecture His models for study y
must be confessed, not Of the most classic type,
for they were little better the sluggish canal boat
or tho lat Jottomcl drifting with the rapid
current In these unpronising forms, however
the youthful shipwright with the eye OF genus
those characteristics which his future art Was TO
fashion into shapes Of beauty and utility. The clumsy
barges the canal and the river We're 10 him as IS the
unhewn block Of marble 10 The sculptor. In these
rude hulks lie saw, il IN embryo the symmct-
real lines u trim yachts the stable proportions OF
nces merchantmen even the artist perceives in his
mind i eyes The form Of beauty concealed the rude
unchisccd stone. 10 intense love OF his art and
keen appreciation OF its beauties Mr.. Van Deusen
added thorough knowledge Of is scientific require
ments. jackkniie and piece Of soft pine were not
considered the first ana last necessities for the CON
struction Of vessels model No shipbuilder OF the
time depended little upon the rule Cf thumb did
the subject ofths sketch There was guess in his
only because they created graceful forms but be-
there sound practical scientific for
their adoption. In this respect Mr. Van Deusen prob
ably stood higher than any other shpwrgh OF his day
and that he esteemed, BY yachsmen especially,
is testified TO by the liberal orders he received during
his career and the success OF the many beautiful
pleasure craft the creations OF his genius and labor
No doubt portion Of Mr., Van Dcusen's was
due 10 his early training. Coming TO this city mere
lad, he different times employed in the yards OF
George steers. with whom he learned the shpbuldng
trade. setting up for himself he quickly acquired a
reputation Tor the modelling aud construction OF the
smaller description OF pleasure Doats reputation
which speedily procured hun orders for the larger class
o. yachts commencing with the Narragansett and end
ny with the Mohawk.
The following list Of vessels built BY Mr. Van Deuscn,
and famous 10 the annals OF yachting may be OF in
!. soop Narragansett, 50 tons, built in 1854 for
Mr. Henry Bedlow, Of Newport
2. Schooner Gypsy, us tons, built in 1857 for Mr.
]. y. A. Griswold, but now owned i'll England
;. Schooner Alarm, rs tons, built Tor A. W. Morse,
owned by Mr. George l. Kingsland, Commodore
o the New York Yacht Club.
4 In 1865 Mr. Van Dcuscn constructed the schooner
Rambler l64 tons for Mr. H. ; Fearing; the schooner
Phantom, Us tons, Tor Colonel Henry Stebbns the
schooner Fleur dc Lis 70 tons, Tor Mr. r. ; c. dHant
vile, and the schooner Fcetwing, 206 tons, Tor Mr..
George a Osgood Al the solicitation Of Mr. Osaood
Mr. Van eusen crossed the ocean IN the latter vessel
ia the famous race TO Cowes with the Vcsta and
Henrietta.
s. la 1871 was built the celebrated schooner Colum-
ba for Ar Franklin Osgood.
4. In 1873 constructed the steam yacht Ideal for
Ar Hugo Fritsch, Austrian Consul General and about
tile same time the steam yacht Ruth for some parties
Lake Champlain.
The last yacht that from Mr. Van Deuscn =
hands the Mohawk and il 4 singular coincident
that by pure accident the name most associated with
his boyhood days Was the most his thoughts at
the termination Of his life.
Mr.. Van Deusen's business, however, was by no
means confined 10 the building Of yachts. lie the
constructor Of numerous vessels sailing and steam be-
longing 10 the merchant service During the year 1869
he built and supcrntrn the building Of the notori-
Spanish gunboats which created little stir in
political circles 1t the time and subsequently all
Spanish vessels arriving the port OF New York
Tor repairs intrustcd 10 his charge
Mr. Van Deusen has been spoken OF hitherto solely in
respect 70 his merits ia professional point Of view.
This sketch would not be complete without touching
upon his character "A man Though modest and re-
firing By nature his disposition essentially social
The restraint 81 new mountaineering being once
away he showed himself gifted with ordinary
conversational powers, and his views popular sub
Jects, particularly those connected with his own pro-
fession, expressed with intelligence and norma-
ton. Great application aud energy marked the treat
mcnt 81 such work ne had Ia hand, and II per-
haps due TO great draft upon these qualities that
supcrnduccd the fatal illness which caused his death
Respected and beloved BY all who knew him. Mr Van
Deusen his deccase has left void not to be filed by
any ordinary man YACHTSMAN.