New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-10-26
OBITUARY.
John ENGLIS-


With the death In Brooklyn yesterday Of John
Engls, there passed away the most prominent and.
probably, the Oldest American ship and boat builder
whose efforts Is largely due the attainment OF tho
excellence and standing American steamboats,. His
death uneNp ected as he was III only lew days
He had registered the polling place two weeks ago.
and looked forward casting ballot for Harrison and
Norton lie died at the home OF his and partner.
John Englls jr., No. 1876 Cintonave., where he was
paying visit The funeral will take place from there
on Monday at p. He was wdower, and lived
at No. los Keni-st, Greenpoint.
Born in this CRY on November 81.
$685. he was soon bound out to Smith.
s. Dmon shipwrights. His ingenuity, mechanical
aptitude and strict application to business attracted
attention, and the end of his apprenticeship hs
offered the position OF foreman in the yard Of
Bishop sinonsOn In this capacity he distinguished
himself BY fahfulness and by some devices
which original with him, and facilitated the
business OF his employers. IN 1887 he went e. the
shores o; Lake Erie aud built his first steamboats,,
the Milwaukee and Red Jacket boats that were con-
sid Icl marves in point of build and speed. Re
turning TO New York, he established shipbuilding
business at the foot OF Tenthst the FAST Liver.
This business prospered, and soon a yard with an
OF 100000 square feet required He en-
pcyed average Of go men. He made speciality
Of steamboat building, and always devisiDg meth
DDS Of improvement Besides the American and for
tines boats upon the ways, and up TO 1866
lac had built hfty-six steamers, with an average
tonnage of 100 tons. At the yard seven steamers
for the domestic China trade were built,
and for speed and general excellence
they were far superior 10 those OF English build The
sumo NADIA one Of these steamed from Hong Kong TO
shanghai, distance 1000 miles, in hftysix hours
For this evidence of his skill he highly comp-
mented by the Chinese Government In 1861 tho
Unadlla the first gun built the United states
was constructed in h yard In fory-eight days, and
In spite OF the haste, highly successful Mr..
Engs was not hampercd with Instructions when he
built boats for the Peoples Line Albany, and the
result of his efforts was the floating palaces" the
ST. John, the Dean Richmond, and the Drew. Other
steamers built by him were the Newport and Old
Colony for the Fall River Line; the c. II. Northam,
saratoga, City OF Troy, and fremont, for the Sound
and pun poses; the excursion steamers Grand
Republic and Columbia, the CITY Of Atlanta and City
of Columbia, for the Charleston steamship Company
five steamships for the Alexandra Line and a number
of ferry boats. The Columbia was put in commission
ninety days after her keel was laid.
Ia 1-Do Nh. kh 81, loon HI Onj son lnto partner
shin with him. and the business was removed tO ts
present site az the foot of Greenpoint-aye., Green
Tnrf ~iN wear ago his -randsOns, William +. and
Charles VI. Engs, taken into the firm. Mr..
EnCs engaged IN numerous business enterprises.
lie was Tor twenty years president OF the Eeventh
Ward Bank and was a dfec tor the time Of his
death lie WAS vice president OF the Peoples Line
OF steamboats,. and director o. the folio ing com
panies: The New-IOrk Ferry Company, the Mefp-
potan Ferry Company the Portland steam Packet
touranv the Manufacturers and 7 ad"rS' Insurance
Company. and the Peter Cooper Insurance Company
lie was also officer In other steamboat COMPANIES