The Portland daily press., 1900-09-06
ARTHUR SEWALL DEAD.
The Famous Bath ship Builder Passed
Away Yesterday MO rntng.

summer nome at oman HOluU, dDOuO 40
miles from this city, last Sunday, died at
$50 O'Clock this morning. He was Ga
years of age.
Mr.. SewaL had not been in good health
for some time, although he was not con-
sidered to be seriously i'll. He had been
advised by his physician to rest as early
as last June, and he attended the Demo-
cratic national convention in July
against the advice of his doctor. He APP
peared to have suffered no Ill effects of
the journey and was passing the summer
quietly at Small Point, when he sustained
the stroke of apoploxy at ten O'Clock Sun
day night,
1t was apparent from the first that the
attack would prove fatal, the physicians
having failed at any time to note any
favorable symptoms. ~
Mr.. Sewall became unconscious from
the stroke and remained in that condi-
ton until death came.
The funeral will occur at II O'Clock on
Saturday forenoon. Further arrange
men is have not been made.
Arthur Sewau was born in Bath in
November 1885, his father being William
ID SeWal and his mother Rachel Trufant
Sewau. He was educated at the common
schools and at the age of 16 years went to
Prince Edwards Islands, where he did
large business in selling ship knees and
timber to the builders along the Kenne-
bee. He returned to this city two years
later and entered the employ of his
fathers firm.
In 1864 he and his eldest brother Ed
ward formed a partnership and COM
menced building under the firm name of
E. & A. SewaIl. They continued to
build one and and sometimes two vessels
a. year, the largest being the Holyhead.
In 1879 upon the death of his brother a
new firm was formed u nder the name of
Arthur SeWall & Co., which is still do
ing business, the other partners being
Samuel S. SewaIl, a nephew and William
d. Sewall, a son. This concern continued
to build large vessels and even through
the darkest days of depression could see
better times ahead and did not waYer as
did many OF It's competitors.
In 1890 the ship Rappahannock was
launched, she being over 3, 900 tons, the
largest ship atloat. This was the vessel
the keel OF which had just been laid and
was walked over by President Harrison
upon the occasion of his memorable visit
to Bath as Mr.. Sewall's guest. just 90 years
previously during William Henry Harri-
sons administration, the largest wooden
ship then in existence and bearing the
same name was launched.
The Rappahannook was wrecked on her
first voyage from New York to San Fran
cisco.
In 1894 the SewalI firm made a new de-
parture and equipped their yard with a
first class steel ship building plant and
constructed the steel ship Dirigo, the
first built in America.
The Sewall fleet comprises % first class
vessels owned and managed by this firm
and Arthur SewaH has found time not
only to look after his ship building, but
many other interests.
His father was one of the orig n
directors of the Portland & Kenneo~-
Railroad, now part of the Maine Cen
trail, and Arthur Sewan succeeded his ia
Their and after service OF four years was
made president OF the road, holding the
office longer than any incumbent OF that
office He was also at one time president
of the Eastern railroad AMI dir ector Of
the Sonora and Mexican railroad. He was
president of the Bath National Bank
and interested in a number OF different
corporations.
All Of his life he has been an unwaver.
ing Democrat, although he has believed to
some extent in protection. He has been
for some years a member of the national
committee, but has never held an elective
Office. He has been in favor of free silver
from the start and even though advised
frankly, he has nevertheless done so and
was awarded by being placed on the dem
ocrat ticket in 1896
Mr.. Sewan came from good old Maine
stock, his grandfather having been
hummer Sewall, whose old homestead,
now over a century old, is situated near
High street bridge.
The latter was in the French and In
dian war, was at Louisburg and with
AAA1otbO D5AOi6 NSu5beC. Wueu news OF
the Lexington fight reached Bath
Drummer Sewall was chosen a minute
man and a delegate to the Provincial
Congress then in session at Watertown.
While there he was made lieutenant
colonel in the revolutionary army. He
took his regiment to Cambridge and
Joined Gen, Washington then being or
10 TcIo II
made muster master OF Maine.
He was a Justice of the Peace for Lin.
coin County and was sent as a senator
to the Mas sachusetts Legislature.
In 1888 he was delegate to the conven.
ton called to rat1fy the constitution and
at the time of the deadlock was appoint
ed by Gen. Ha ncock who was chairman
Of the oc1nn IN itton OF la1,,, Il.