New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-03-31
CHARLES Z. TowNsHsNO.

Nev--IIaven Conn. March 80 tSpeciaD--Capidin
Charles TEe--ey Townsherd died last night at his
home az Church and Wall sts. He had not been lh
good health for the last year or two. Last Sunday
le was seized with "a nervous breakdown and ere"
wca 5cr unlil she end. He also a pioneer IN
urging national attention 20 The importance OF for
tidcatIons at the eastern entrance 10 Long Island
Sound. n work he lived 10 see taken ~ and com
pleted by The national government
Captain Tovnshend was born ~ Raynharn- IN
East Haven lnow New-fIaveu). November g. 1853,
and was the seventh iu descent from Thomas
Townsend or Tonnshend. Who settled AZ the
Lynn Colony Of Massachusetts Bay IN lG5S. He
educated private schools in &ew-Haven and in
Pennington, Conn. When about fifteen years old
he made his first sea voyage.
Early in 1851 Captain Towushend took command
o. the New-york and Havre pa -ket ship Bavaria
Fe was then tNeaty-three years old. He made two
voyages Ga command o. the Bavaria. and then went
10 the Gernania as captain. After several voyages
he took command Of the United States mail steamer
Fulton IN 1867 and. after making numerous voy-
ages ID her. he changed 10 the command OF the
American Steamship Company's steamer Ontario.
While iu command CT the Ontario during the
Franco-Prussian War he took her into Havre. She
was laden with firearms. ammunition and equip
ments. OF which the French sorey IN need
The value % this cargo $4,000. The timely
arrival OF the Ontario. the Prussian advance guard
having reached at the moment OF her arrival a
point four miles from Havre saved this important
port from capture. and an estimated loss OF at
least S500oo00 This achievement created great en-
thuslasr in France. especially In Paris and Havre
where Captain Townsheud Was made the object Of
courtesies and attentions. HIS name vas proposed
for q decoration o. the Legion OF Honor.
In SIS Captain Townshen6 carried a specimen OF
petroleum from the Seneca OIL Conpany's well. in
which he was interested. at Tltusville, Penn. which
was given him BY his brother. James N ToVnshend.
TO Paris for analysis. This vas said 70 be the
first petroleum carried abroad.
Captain Towushend was long interested IN oyster
culture For several years previous to 1850 he per-
sonally watched the experiments OF Nh. de Coste
and De Broca, the latter q commissioner 70 this
country in 1859 at the instance OF Napoleon IL. 20
examine shellfsh culture
! Captain Townshend made suggestions IN connec-
ton With the resurvey Of Block Island Sound Long
Island Sound and the East River to Hell Gate. and
/ a Dangerous reef lying IN the fajrway OF ships
/ bound 20 New-Haven now bears his name
/ Captain Towushend oriCtnated about $50 the plan
/ for a port OF refuge of the lower quay al New
Haven 70 he Enclosed by two breakwaters, similar
I 20 those at Cherbourg. France and Plymouth. Eng
/ land. In 1873 the breakwater was surveyed and
Is now IN course OF cOnstructlOnn When completed
] area OF about four times the space o. NeW-fitNeh
Hsrbor.
commission director OF the New-hayen Colony
Historical Society and Chamber OF Commerce. and
/ banking manual ture and commerce
In 1873 ne published a Centennial History OF The
/ author of several commercial and historical
pamphlets. o. numerous articles n the NeT-Eng-
land Historical and Genealogical Register and had
] compile. and published at his own expense. Your
/ editions Of 'aThe ToNnshend Family. Of Lynn. in
/ ora and New England" He invented the Town
/ ehend double rejecting circle.
lie married on Aprtl g. is7l. Mary Anne, dauEhter
/ OF Henry and Elizabeth DaEEett NrescotO Hotch-
kiss, who Euryivcs him. with two sons henry
/ Hotchklss Townshend. born in New-iiayen on Sep
terrber 90. 1874 and Rayuham Townshend. born in
4 New-5aven on July 10 ISIS. -,
/ Townsend Of the United States Circuit Court