The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-10-09
HIS LAST VOYAGE.
The Demise of Captain c.
L. Nelson.
HE CAME HOME TO DIE.
Ore of the Prominent Pioneers of the
Shipping Industry on the
Pacific Coast.


cisco's pioneer citizens. and who has been
very prominently iden titled with the ship
ping industry on this coast, died AT bis
home. 1911 Cough street. yesterday morn
ing. at 10 o'clock.
Captain Nelson, as he was Familiarity
known by every person along the city
front. was brought back from Copen-
hagen, Denmark, on the 2Sth OF Septem-
Der, whence he had gone on pleasure
trip. but the return to his adopted city and
home did not prove beneficial. and be
gradually sank until the end.
The CAPTAIN had been for a couple OF
years planning this visit to his old home.
and accompanied by his wife he left San
Francisco on the 10th of May last. They
stopped at Chicago and visited the fair,
then went on to New York, and sailed
about the last of May.
They had been in Copenhagen but day
or two when the captain was stricken down
with Bright's disease, aud though he had
the best medical attendance that the
Danish capital could furnish it was Of no
avail, and he continued to grow weaker.
During all of his sickness there he was
wishing that he could be at home, and he
finally said to his physician, doctor, you
sre doing all you can for me, but you CAM
give me California" and the doctor told
so Captain Nelson started and only
arrived here a week ago Thursday.
Captain Nelson was 20 years and s
months of age, and was native of Ved-
back, suburb of Copenhagen. His first
trip to America was in 1888, when he was
but 16 years of age. and he at that time
landed at New Bedford. Mass.
q 81 far fiu hot 20
the sea, his grandfather being interested
In ship building. and young Christian thus
had an opportunity of shipping as sailor.
which was just TO his taste. But he served
only q year and a half before the mast.
and on all subsequent voyages he shipped
as an officer.
During the year following his trip TO
New Bedford he sailed on every sea and
visited almost every land known TO COM
merce, and in 1851 he was wrecked On The
Fiji Islands. 1t was there that he first
met Captain Goodall and formed the
friendship that afterward resulted in their
association in business and continuing in
partnership for manv years.
Captain Goodall took passage from the
islands to China, while Captain Nelson
shipped as mate on a ship bound for San
Francisco, manned by Maav crew. A
few days out the crew mutlnied, killing
the captain ana tumblng the mates down
a hatchway, Nelson with cash across his
forehead and the second mate with his
throat cut But neither of them we're
severely injured, and crawling back over
the cargo they managed to get keg of
g1npowder under the cabin and exploding
1t there while the mutinous crew We're
carousing.
Twelve of the Malays were killed. while
three more jumped into the sea. Captain
Nelson and the mate, along with two addi-
-tional seamen whom they managed to
procure. brought the vessel to this port.
Here be met Captain Goodall, who re-
turned from China a little later, and
through him was placed in command of a
brig sailing from here to Stockton.
a little later he Was the owner Of boat
used in bringing cattle across the bay to
the slaughter house, and as he could bring
200 at load and was paid dollar apiece
for them and made two OF three trips a
day, the business was very profitable, and
it furnished him a supply of cash which
he soon invested in a feet of coasting
schoOners.
1t was about this time that he became
associated with Captain GoodalI in the
Sausalito Water Company. which fur
Dished fresh water to the city. and they
soon extended the partnership to the
coastiRg business and added some small
steamers TO their list of vessels.
Their competition with the Pacific Nail
became so strong that that corporation
offered to sell some of their vessels and
business to the firm and they were accord
ingly bought This led To the formation of
the firm of Goodall, Nelson 81 Perkins.
with which Captain Nelson was promi-
nently identified until 1884, when he dis
posed of his interest in the business.
In 1884 he was appointed receiver for the
creditors of the Newport Coal Company,
and at the end of 3 year, when he closed
npits affairs, be organized the Oregon Coal
and Navigation Company, of which he was
appointed manager. and he remained with
the company until two years aga, when he
disposed of his stock aud retired from
business.
Aside from these enterprises Captain
Nelson was interested in anumber of other
projects, and was part owner of several
vessels IN addition TO his valuble real
estate holdings in this city. and the value
of his estate will be a large amount
Captain Nelson was twice married. but
had no children. His second marriage &C.
Cured thirteen years ago TO Miss Lisette
Peterson, who survives him.
The captain visited Europe number Of
times since he first came to San Francisco,
and particularly of late years. accom-
panied by his wife, has travelled great
deal, visiting many foreign lands, as well
as most places of interest in America.
The summer of 1892 they spent In Alaska.
Captain Nelson was, in sense. pub
lie man, EXCEPT as his position in business
forced him INFO prominence. He preferred
his home to anything that a public life
could offer, and though interested in politi-
cal affairs be never aspred to any official
position. He was generous with the large
means which be possessed. but even his
closest friends knew but little Of his chart
ties.
AS man and as friend he was never
disappointing. and many in this city will
feel it as personal bereavement when
they read this morning of his death.
The funeral will be from st. Luke's
Church, Wednesday morning, and Rev. D.
E. b. Spaulding, will conduct the services
From the church the remains will he
taken to the ferry. and The II 30 boat will
carry them to Oakland, where they will bs
Inferred ia Mountain View Gene terry.
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