Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1903-08-05
CAPT. OTIS rNGRAHAM
Dead After Fifty Years of eamboat
Service in Eastern Waters.

/ service IN EdSttTh wa
Capt. Otis Ingraham, tie most widel.
| known steamboat commander In eastern
waters, died Saturday afternoon as til
result OF an accident Wednesday. He wa
seventy-two years old.
Tue accident occurred on the steamer
Ingrsham was leaving the pilot house
when door, opened by gust of vino
threw him off his feet. He struck against
seat near the pilot house, and upon
being assisted to his feet complained OF q
pain in his side. Examination showed
three ribs were broken. His death was
due to trsumstic pneumonia, resulting
from these injuries.
Capt. Ingraham had q record of fifty
years OF steamboat service, the anniver-
ssry of which was celebrated April IS OF
the present year.
lie was the son of a veteran sea captain,
and at the age of twelve, with his brother
Orris, began going to sea on coasting yes
sells. His brother was lost when the "Pen-
tagoet" foundered in the November gale OF
1898. Capt. ingrahsm soon became stew
ard and at the age of eighteen was a
master mariner. For several years be
was commander of many well-known
cossting vessels.
Iu 1853 he began his steam boat career,
joining the Daniel Webster" as quarter
master, W hich ran between Portland and
several cities in the eastern part OF the
state. At that time there was no rail-
co Communication cast OF Portland.
In 1861 Capt. Ingraham took command
OF the side-wheel steamer "Rocklsnd"
which WAS used as a transport and dis
patch boat for the government. In this
boat he was several times under fire but
always brought her safely out.
For two years after the war he was
commander Of steamer In southern
waters, but in 1867 he returned North aud
vas made first officer of "Kstahdin"
He remained here until the Cambridge
Sas built and then became her first officer
When her captain died the position was
given to Capt. lngraham, and he held II
until she was wrecked in the winter oil
1866.
After short period he was given
command of the "Penobscot" Here hs
remained until the "City OF Bangor" wa.
built in 1894 end then he went on her al
commander. IN 1901 he was transferred
to the "City of Rockland", the latest
addition to the Eastern Steamship Co.'S
feet.
In 1902 Capt. Ingrahsm was compelled
to retire on account of illness. Upon re
covering, the company, in recognition OF
his faithful services, made him commo-
dore OF its fleet, with duties on shore
For short time Capt. Ingraham was
satisfied, but before long became restless
and had to return to the water, taking
command OF this steamer "Penobscot"
Here he remained until the accident
which caused his death. Few men were
better known in eastern waters than Capt.
Otis Ingraham. He was liked by all from
the deck boys to the high officials of the
company. In his associations with the
travelling public he was always courte-
GUS, kind and good-natured.
He was man of many ideas and re-
sources. Many a buoy, light or bell be
has caused to be placed on dangerous
points. His ideas were of value to the
company in whose employ he was, and
many of his suggestions were carried out
to the advancement OF the service.
Capt. Ingransm leaves wife, three chill
dren, two brothers and host Of friends
to mourn his loss. The funeral was held
Monday afternoon with masonic honors
The Red Men were also present.