The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1877-05-11
SAD AT FAIR.
Death Of Captain William willard.

Captain William Willard of the tug Tiger,
died yesterday morning under very peculiar cir.
cumstances. He started down the harbor in the
morning about ten o'clock in his usual health,
having the schooner S. G. Tryan in tow.
When off Fort Preble, the captain of the
schooner gave signal for the tug to stop tow.
ing, and Capt. Willard who was in the pilot
house, gave the deck hand orders to cast oil
the hawser. He did 50, and the tug was just
turning to return to the city, when suddenly
the pilot house door flew open and Captain
Willard apparently fell out and went
overheard head foremost. He appeared
nearly, if not quite helpless, and made little or
no motion after he struck the water. As soon
as possible the tug was put about to rescue
him, but in the meantime schooner lying
near sent boat to his assistance and he was
picked up. When found, he was lying on his
back with his arms outstretched' He was
taken to the Tiger and brought to the city.
Every effort to resuscitate him was unavaiing.
The chest was disterded with wind, but there
was little water in the body.
The general opinion among those who know
the most of the particulars is that he was taken
with fit just as the tug was coming about,
and falling against the door, which was I'M
fastened, fell out of the pilot house and over
board, and that he died instantly when he fell.
This theory is upheld by the fact that Capt.
Willard has had two quite severe fits before.
Drs. Getchell and Merrill, who were called,
however, have decided that the death was
caused by drowning, as it was twenty minutes
before he was rescued. There was a mark of a
blow across the face, where he probably struck
against the side of the tug when he went over
board. DR.. Getchel said it was possible he
might have been attacked by ft and the
CLOTHS closed just as he struck the water, thus
accounting for his failure to take in much
water, but the doctor could not affirm that this
was the case.
Coroner Gould was called, but after hearing
all the facts he considered an inquest unneces-
sary, as the family were well satisfied as to the
cause Of his death.
Capt. William Willard was born in Cape
Elizabeth, and was 81 years Of age. He began
to follow the sea at an early age, and when
quite young man was master of vessel
engaged in the coastwise and West India trade.
He was very successful shipmaster and he
continued in this business until about the year
1851, when having amassed very comfortable
fortune, he retired and began the tug-boat
business. He went to Philadelphia and bought
the tug Tiger, which was then new, and
brought her to the harbor She was the first
tug ever owned here. Several years afterwards
his business increased SO rapidly that he, in
connection with others, built the tug Uncle
Sam, both of which he has since managed He
was also large owner in the Blanchard Boiler
Company. His brother, Capt. Charles Willard,
was lost in the George Deering, some years
ago. Another brother, Capt Samuel, sailed in
the new bark Martha Ellen and was never
again heard from. E. G. Willard and Capt.
Benjamin Willard are brothers of the deceased.
He leaves wife. son, W. 81. Willard, of the
firm of Lewis, Whitten & Co., and daughter
to mourn his loss.
Probably no man was better known among
the ship owners in Portland than Captain
William Willard. A retired sea captain re.
marked yesterday: capt Willard was an
honest, hard working map, always obliging.
and he does not leave an enemy behind, but
hosts Of warm friends" This statement will
be borne out by large number of business
men. He was consistent member of the
Casco street church and a man of the strictest
integrity. He was member of the Citizens
Mutual Relief Association.
His funeral will take place Saturday at 10
o'clock from his late residence on Wilmot
street.