New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-02-07
OBITUARY.
CHARLES w. COPELAND.


Charles W. Copeland one of the best known
marine and mechanical engineers In this country,
died in Brooklyn on Tuesday night 1T his home on
columbia Heights where he had lived since lsto
Mr. Copeland was born in Coventry. Conn, in 1875
HIS father. Daniel Copeland. was builder OF steam
engines and boilers In Hartford, Conn. and estab-
lished the beginning OF the plant on the premises
afterward occupied by the extensive concern or the
woodruff e. Beach Iron Works Of that city. Charles
W. Copeland, under the direction OF his father
was carefully trained in the profession or designing
and draughtng of steam vessels and machinery, and
subsequently received practical instruction In pat
tern making. founding machine fitting. boiler manu-
racture and all the technique OF the business then
known. and later on became the superintendent OF
his fathers concern. In this Place he designed and
Duilt number OF marine steamers for use on the
connecticut and Southern rivers About this time
he placed himself under the guidance OF Professor
Hackley OF Columbia College. for instruction In the
higher mathematics. OF which later on he became an
adept.
In 1896 he accepted the place OF designing and con-
structing engineer Of the West Point Foundry OF
New-lork. at that time the foremost plant OF It's
Kind in this country. While there he designed and
built many marine engines. notably those for the
United States naval steamer Futon, the steamboats,
Utica. Rochester Swallow. Milwaukee. Cleveland.
and the ferryboas Gold Hunter and Jamaica, as also
the Bunker Hi and Lexington. some OF which were
considered marvels of success in their day. He also
built the first iron hull In the United States, boat
which piled on Lake PontcharraIn.
In 1893 he was appointed constructing engineer TO
the United States Navy-an Office similar to that
now occupied by the chief OF the Bureau OF Steam
Engineering During the Mexican War he fitted out
for the Government what was called the Mosquito
fleet. consisting OF such steamers as the Spitire.
Scorpion Scourge Vixen. etc. Later on he designed
the engines and boilers OF the United States naval
steamers Missouri and Mississippi. and still later
the engines and boilers for the naval steamer
Michigan. for Lake Erie. which was the first iron
steamer used for naval service. AT a subse-
quent date he designed the machinery for the United
States steamers Saranac and Susquehanna. in which
ne introduced many novel features OF marine engi-
neering. After this he became experimenting engi-
neer Of the Allaire Works. OF New-fork. where ne
designed and butt the machinery for the Collins
steamers Pacific and Battle; also the Panama for
the California business; the Bay State and Empire
State and Traveller for the Long Island Sound and
the Harriet Lane for the United states Revenue ser.
1852 was before Congress Mr. Copeland was called
upon for his opinion many subjects more or less
sbscaus s he wps APPOINTED the rst supervising
inspector under the new law for the New orK
District which place he retained Tor about nine
years.
During the War OF the Rebellion Mr.. Copeland was
largely engaged in altering and hitting steamers tSr
ern rivers and It was through his advice that many
double bToush into use for the intricate
Since thea he had been consulting and superin-
tending engineer to the United states Lighthouse
Board. generally designing and experimenting the
building OF vosse.s for that service He was III
rector OF well consulting engineer TO the Nor,
witch and New-York Transportation Company, ana
while in that service designed the steamers city OF
New-York. city Of Boston. and iaiterly the city OF
Worcester.
Al through his ne he was a close student ana
Vas . subscriber 10 most II the magazines and
publications pertaining 10 his procession. botn r're
and abroad. and Wa often himself most interesi.
INK contributor. AMI in his earlier career devered
a course OF lee lures the steam engine.