The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1907-08-29
OBITUARY..

Capt. George F. Ryan, a retired sea cap
tain, died at his home at the Upper Bridge
Sunday, Aug. 25th, at the age of rs years, 6
months and IA days. He had been in i'll
health for some time, but death came sud
denly. He was born in Belfast Feb II,
1882, the son Of the late Capt. William and
Nancy tMcKeen) Ryan, and was the last to
pass away of five brothers, all of whom fol-
lowed the sea. He was a master mariner
for over 60 years and commanded a number
of different vessels, among them the D. K.
Arey, Abbie Gale, Adelaide, Lillian and
James Holmes. The SCH Lillian was built
for him, for the Boston packet trade, but it
was found that the increase in business de.
manded larger vessel and he took COM
mand of the sch. James Holmes, in which
he was very successful. She was lost in
severe gale Feb. /, 1885, in Gloucester harbor
while in command of his son, Capt. Frank
lin Ryan, all on board perishing. He loved
tie sea and his schooner. He was kind
hearted and thoughtful and was ever ready
to aid those less fortunate in life. In later
years in relating his experiences he loved
to dwell upon his adventures while mining
in California, and the successful trips while
steamboating on the Mississippi and Mis-
souri, rivers, and especially of the steamer
Ocean, which accidentally caught fire while
going out of Boston harbor, when he assist
ed in saving the lives of over 100 passengers
His last command was the famous old SCH
Polly, which he sold few years ago. The
Do hnr ,tni, = tha
fractions in August, 1904, in the Old Home
Week celebration in Amesbury, Mass. The
Polly was built there and arrived on the
Tooth anniversary of her launching. Capt
Ryan is survived by his widow, Ellen P,
daughter of Samuel Maddocks of Belfast,
and two daughters, Miss Lillian Ryan and
Mrs Lucie Nickerson, who make their home
with their mother. His son, Capt Franklin
G. Ryan, was lost at sea Feb. l, ,1S98 The de-
ceased was Mason, member of Palestine
Commandery,and of the Fenobscot encamp-
ment of Odd Fellows. For three generations
his people had been constant attendants at
the First Parish church, Unitarian, and
Capt. Ryan was member of the parish
The funeral was held at his late home Tues
day afternoon, Rev. Adolph Rossbach of the
Unitarian church officiating. while the COM
initial service at the grave by Palestine
Commandery. K. T., was rendered by Rev.
Ashley A. Smith of the Unversalst church.
The profuslon of beautiful flowers, incud-
ing pieces from the secret orders, bore testi-
mony to the sympathy of many friends, and
the large number in attendance indicated
the respect and esteem in which the genial
captain was held. The bearers were Past
Commanders j. II. Howes, c. B. Hall, An
sci Wadsworth, Frank L. Field, Marion E.
Brown and Gilman P. Lombard. Rev.
Adolph Rossbach read the following appro-
pirate poem from the pen of Rev. Edward
A, Horton, Unitarian, of Boston:
"Cast off the lines." Our friend goes forth
To voyage upon an unknown sea
His smiling face turns back to us,
And still his cheerful voice rings free.
"Cast off the lines! y No fear, no doubt,
For God is pilot on that sea;
0 Thou, who rulest time and tide,
We trust his future course to Thee.
"Cast off the linesn' Good-by! Good-by!
With wistful looks we search the sea;
Lo! love and mem'ry call him back
In loyal hearts his home shall be.