New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-08-01
DEATH OF CAPTAIN BOYD.
A CANCER ENDS THE NAVAL OFFICERS
ACTIVE LIFE.

Captain Robert Boyd, r.. OF the Navy, and at the
time of his death president OF the Naval Board Of In
spcCon Of Merchant Vessels. with headquarters IN the
Federal Building died Wednesday at his home, NO.
81 Pineappe-st., Brooklyn. The Immediate cause OF
death was heart failure. This due to a cancerous
growth the tongue similar TO that which caused
| General Grants death. Captain Boyd was sitting In
his chair with his wife and two children near him.
when he suddenly fell backward and died almost IN
stanty. The cancerous growth on his tongue caused
him great worriment of mind more than year ago.
and in October last he concluded to have an operation
performed by DR.. William T. Bull, of this CITY, lie
was then Supervisor Of the Iarbor of NcwYork and.
at his request that he might give more time Tor treat
ment he was relieved by Captain William A. Kirk
land and transferred to the Board of Inspection Since
Dr. Bull has been in Europe, DR.. c. a. Powers has
treated him.
Captain Boyd was born in Portland, Me-, on Febru-
airy 21 1884 and was appointed midshpman in the
Navy from that state January IA, 1850 Ills hrst
duty from 1850 to september, 1888 on the coast
OF Africa, the soops John Adams and BaihDruse'
lie at the Naval Academy in 17o3'5o. Az the
breaking ont Of tho Civil War he on the Medlter-
rancan but came home almost at once ana was
ordered to duty the POwhatan. which was sent I"
the West Indies in search Of the Confederate prVaer
sumter At that time he lieutenaIlt, but was
promoted to lcutenant-commander on July TO- loo-'
He aftcrward served on blockade duty, and was III
pacd in the bombament of Pensacola lie was on the
Powbaan i'm s63 when she lowed the captured Rebel
ram Atlanta 10 Philadelphia and when she returned 10
the West indies as flagship Of the South Atlantic BLOCK
aiding Squadron In october, 1864 he was transferred 70
the command OF the ninth division Of the MISSISSIPPI
notlla which was employed in keeping open communi-
cation on the Tennessee River until the close OF the
war; during which time he had many sklrihsheS
with the enemy. Lieutenant Commander Boyd was
one of the trial board OF the frlgate WampahOae AZ
the Navy Yard from September, 1867. I'LL June, lo'o
since then he had been chiefly both sea aud shore
duty IIe was promoted TO commander on May ~
1a7l and TO captain on June 10, 1882. lie leaves
wife and two children.
The funeral WIN take place at st. AIMS Church'
Broohlyn at p. m. to-day, and will be attended oy
several Navy officers and the Military order OF the
LOYAL Legion, OF which he was member
The courage with which Captain Boyd bore IN
tense suffering was the striking feature Of his case
said Dr. Powers yesterday afternoons Il know that
Captain Boyd was a very brave man In battle, but
regard his hcroism during the course Of his illness
rs an indication Of far greater bravery. lie sat IN
his chair day after day. knowing well that death was
nt or away SUFFERING the while constant and intense
main Yet no one ever heard him complain. General
Grants courage under the same circumstances cOuld
not have been greater than was MS A.,
base of the tongue Captain Boyd first noticed small
ulcer th3 side Of the tongue ncar t i
went to Dr. Bull and operation was performed
Nearly all of his tongue was removed. Dr: Bul
recognized that cure impossible and that the re
moval OF the ton gic would only prolonR life. since
The first Of the year Captain Boyd has known that
he could not recover. lie was an haoitual SMOKER
and am inclined To think that this was the cause Of
Of General Grant and also that Of the late Emperor Of
Germany