The San Francisco call., 1896-01-26
AN OLD PILOTS END.
Captain Charles H. Matthews Dies
of a Stroke of ApOpIexy.

Captain Charles H. Matthews Dies
of a Stroke of ApopIexy.
One of the best known and popular old
pilots of the City passed away yesterday.
He was Captain Charles H. Matthews and
for about twelve years and up to nearly
fifteen months ago he handled the wheel
as one of San Francisco's many steady,
safe and conscientious bar pilots.
The cause of Captain Matthews sudden
demise was apoplexy, though he had been
suffering with paralysis for some time.
Between four and five years ago he was
first stricken down with paralysis. at
that time his illness was long and serious
and it was feared he would not recover.
But he did and he went back to the wheel.
The disease, however, olung to him and
affected him mostly in his feet and 1t was
with considerable difficulty that he could
get around. He finally concluded to
retire from active pilot life and lived COM
fortably at the Russ House. A few
months ago he had second stroke, but it
quickly passed away.
Aside from the vague expectations
OF death at any time, which usually &C
company paralytics, Captain Matthews
end could not be said to have been really
anticipated. On Friday evening he was at
tu0 GACndHRe, dS usual, CudG-
ting with his old comrades, and he walked
to his hotel with Captain Stephen Castle,
joking and in good spirits. AS dying
seemed to be the farthest thing from his
mind he was altogether unattended by
any physician. DIR. w. +. McNutt had at
tended him during his former sickness.
His death was first discovered by one of
the chambermaids of the hotel. 1t was
noticed that though the captains hour for
rising had passed his door was still locked,
and a suspicion that something was wrong
was communicated to Colonel ]. S. Yonng,
the proprietor.
1t was then during the noon hour, and
Colonel Young had his Window-cleaners
effect an entrance into the captains room
through windew, and it was found that
Captain Matthews body was breathless.
His sister, Miss Sophie Matthews, was i'm
mediately notified. An autopsy was held
during the evening, and DIR. Barrett at
tributed his demise to apoplexy.
The deceased first came to this port in
1860 as second officer of the Swedish ship
Thor. He was a native of Gefe, Sweden.
When he came here he was still in his
teens. He went into the coasting busi-
ness, and for awhile was captain of the
schooner Bowen, plying between this port
and Humboldt Bay.
Subsequently he was master of Cap tain
Charles Hansons three vessels in success
sion-the Canada, Shirley and Dancing
Wave. He also commanded the Young
America for time. This last vessel he
took around to New York, where she was
sold.
Captain Matthews believed in the sea
and backed up his faith in the fortunes of
a seafaring life by purchasing from time to
time interests in various craft. The pos
sessions he leaves behind consist mostly of
part ownerships in the schooners William
Bowden, Lyman D. Foster and Bartlett,
and the pilot-boats Bonita, America and
Oracle S.
He was a member of the Master Mar
iners Association and also an Odd Fellow.
His age was 81 years. He was unmarried
and the only relative he had living is his
sister. III. c. Porter 81 Co. of 122 Eddy
street are arranging for his funeral, the
time for which has been set for 1 P. NJ.
Tuesday. The services will be at Odd Eel
lows Hall, under the auspices of Unity
Encampment, to which he belonged, and
the interment will be in the Odd Fellows
Cemetery.