The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1899-02-21
LAST OF A FAMOUS CREW.
Death of Jesse j. Brown VINO Sailed In the
Champion Yacht America in 1851.


! From the Boston Globe.
Jesse J. Brown. the last of the crew
/ that sailed the yacht America in ls5L
/ when the cup competed for by all nations
| was won tor this country, died Wedues-
! day at his home, 10 Shirley street. ROX-
/ bury, of pneumonia, resulting from the
/ grip.
/ Mr.. Browns brother, "Dick." was the
master of the yacht. and to the confdenc-
and ability of these men. was due in part
| the spirit that made the American a win
her.
Jesse j. Brown was born at Mystic,
Conn, in 1896. His father was a ship car
I, penteT. There were several children, all
| OF whom became noted for skill ana in
| trepidity on the sea.
| Jesse, before he settled down in life, was
| an active participant in two wars-ths
var against the Indians In Florida and
| the Mexican war. He GfterWaTd bore
arms In the war for the Union, when he
| served as drum major with Hawkins
| Zoudves and was with Gen. Butler at the
| battle of New Orleans.
| When the Royal Yacht squadron Offered
| cup valued al 500 for competition of all
| nations in 1851. the course being around
| the Isle of Wight, starting and finishing
| at C0Wes, the widest excitement pre-
| vailed In this country. America must com
| pete, and she did. j. &. Stevens, Edward
| A. Stevens, Hamilton Wilkes j. BeeEmdu
! Finley, and George l.. Schuyler caused
| the schooner yacht America 10 BE- built by
| George Steers. As she was about being
| finished. in the spring OF 1851. the OwnGIs
| looked around for a sailing meSter Mir.
| Steers suggested Capt. Richard Brown ~
| being an excellent man. and he was az
| gagged. His reputation at that time as a
! boat sailor was above all his associate
| and the wisdom Of the choice was soon
! apparent
| few years ago Mr. Brown related iba
| events connected with the great regatta
/ 10 Globe reporter, as follows:
| During al the time the America was
| building, my brother, Richard, and Mr.
| Steers, the builder Of the boat were in
| frequent consultation.
Mr. Steers was not only the builder
| he was also the designer of the craft
! The work was done Ia mis- yard on the
| East River side Of Manhattan Island i'm
| the Eleventh ward section.
| Every one knows now that her lines
| were taken from those Of the stancl
/ swift, and seaWOrthy boats OF the New
| York pilot boat fleet Like all racers ~
| her model, she was a wet craft. Her all
! was low, and the water. when she was on
| certain lacks, would rush over the sides
! Of her bow as fiercely as IL does through
/ a fiume IN time Of a frcshet In solid
| Sheets It would sometimes be flung as far
| back as the cockpit.
My brother, Richard, was regarded IN
| his time as a pilot second 10 none who
! took a vessel into the port OF New York
| and when he died the monument that Gov
| Gated to the memory OF Richard Brown
| father Of pilots
| The America was a beauty 10 answer
| her hel!n. She could be sailed witbH
| four points OF the wind. Richard never
| cast an eye astern all the time OF td-
/ race But II wasn't SO with ne and tH-
! others. We peeped out every chance -
| could get from where we were cTOlcHst
| behind the rail abaft 10 satisfy Oursslyes
/ or the exact situation. The Captain Ea4
/ no doubts. There was not hitch from
/ start 10 finish. We outpOinted them all
/ and beat them all on the tack and l1
| coming about.
"A few days after the regatta Quefg
Victoria. with the Prince cOns0rt, visited
/ the yacht. She presented each man -
| the crew with So and gave my brother
/ very handsome marble clock"
Mr.. Brown was justly proud o. fs
| yachting skill and never tired % relating
/ his experiences. His death removes 10
| last Of the figures In this interHai.oHs-
| episode.