The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-11-09
DEATH OF CAPT. SARGENT.
Well-knOWn Navigator Pass =
Away in Philadelphia.

Had Long Commanded the ships
Built by the Cramps on Their TrinI
TriUs-FOrmcrIy the Commodore OF
the American Steamship Line.
PHILADELPHIA Nov g.-Capt Red
ford Webster Sargent who died suddenly
yesterday at his home 1891 North Thirty
first Street OF neuralgia of IN, stomach.
complicated with heart trouble. had for
the last ten years been the marine SUI
perintendeut Of the Cramp ship and En-
CINE Building Company. and as such
commanded the ships constructed by the
company on their trial trips. Previous to
that time he had been commodore OF tho
American Line fleet
Doubtless many OF thos, who knew Cap
tain Sargent i'm a professional capacity
would concur i'm the following estimate OF
his ability. made by Edwin $ Cramp. vice
president OF the shipbuilding company
Captain Sargent was one of the most
widely known men i'm his profession i'm
the United States. His Judgment, knowI-
edge OF his business as a navigator. in
practical as well ass iu theoretical details.
was uneNcelled. In the many trips that
h. had conducted for us there was never
the slightest mistake ON his part His
Judgment and opinion on matters rtIat-
ing TO his profession wee always ACCEPT
ed by the leading naval officers Of the
country, almost ali of whom had been
on board during trial trips with him He
was a man Of wonderful aII-aruund cxpe-
rience. and, possessing as he did a great
fund Of anecdotes and Of native humor.
he was popular whatever the situation in
winch he was placed.
Ills devotion to duty was unusual
Iharg fe Of !.
in an important trial and it was impos-
sible to induce Captain Sargent 90 leave
his post. / have rrsed him often to have
some one relieve aim, and at times have
had some person detailed TO do so. But
Captain Sargent would stay at mis- post
through the night. even when he had at
his side man whose duty ii was to take
his place He was man whose position il
viii be very hard TO FIJI"
Few seafaring men have had so inter
esting and varied careers as that of Cap
tain Sargent Born in Dover. y H.. Jaurt-
airy Y. 1874, he moved with his parents
early in life TO Ktttery. Me. He was early
possessed with a desire to go to sea. and
made his first voyage when thirteen years
old. At the outbreak of the civil war he
enlisted in the navy. and served with
cTculJ Then for number OF years ne
was in the East Indian service Early
I'm the seventies he was engaged bv rbe
American Line, and was one Of the four
original captains OF the fleet. the others
being Captains ShaCkfOrd. Harris and
Morrison Captain Harris Is now dead:
Captain Morrison commands the Wander
blt yacht Valiant. and CAPTAIN Shack
ford IS marine superintendent Of lhe in
teTnaJiOual Navigation Company
II was while IN the service OF the Amer
lean line that Captain Sargent command
ed the nrst ship sent out from this coun-
Try to relieve the famine stricken peas
ants Of Russia The ship 20 be chosen for
the mission Of mercy was the Indiana.
and she left on Washington's Birthday.
NV Her departure was the occasion for
memorable gathering at Washington
avenue Services were held, in which va
IlouS religious denominations united in
wishing godSpecd 10 the vessel
ht 800 tons OF relief stores went 10
IIoad whence they Were transported by
rahroad 10 the famine district. Before
the departure Of The Indiana for home the
city OF ldbau presented "a cup 10 Ceuta in
sargent The Gar wished 10 have the
Indiana detained until he could send Il
cup 70 the commander 10 comm. mora t..
The event, but this was impossible The
token was sent To this country. where tx
was received by Captain Sargent.
beI4re retlflng from the service Of the
American line CAPTAIN Sargent was com
modore Of its fleet He entered the serv-
Ice Of the Cramp C0mpauy i'm lNq3 ana Ii-
Lrst trlal trip was that Of the New York
since then he had charge AZ the trials ~
more thdn score Of ships built az
lamps ana mere has never been an aa-
clGent 70 any due 20 a mistake on mis-
part He had taken out almost every i'm
poItant ship built at CrNsuns' since be
Irst became connected with the cCmuauv.
only 4 month ago he went 10 New E-a-
iand 70 lay on the course for the battle
snip Retyizan. and upon his return tolI,
the big Russian fighting machine around
for her speed trial
Many incidents Of unusual interest in
the life OF Captain Sargent are unknown
even 20 some Of his intimat, friends. for
Ee was modest and uuassuming and rare
y talked Of his experience He received
medal from the British Government for
his services I'm taking of the passengers
ana crew OF wrecked English ship Dur
Ing the trouble with Chile the United
States Government placed him in com
mand OF the Ohio. which was fitted as a
machine shop. He carried General Grant
10 Europe when the famous tour Of the
hero around the world was begun
In appearance Captain Sergcnt was a
typical seafaTing man. He was large and
broad snOuldeTed. rudy OF face. and OF
unusual physical strength. Though nc
could not be approached when he had
important duty on hand. he was al other
times a genial compassion, and his wide