Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-07-12
CAPT. v. T. LUCKETT
CLAIMED BY DEATH
Heart Attack Proves Fatal to
Civilian Pilot of Yacht
MayfIoWer.

The first serious illness of his "a
years, yesterday was fatal to Capt. Will
liam Edward Luckett, for more than
half century a pilot on the Potomac
River, and official civilian pilot of the
MayfoWer, the presidential yacht, from
the time it was put into commission I'M
til 1t was retired. He died of heart
attack at his residence, 4o8 Sixth street
southeast, yesterday afternoon.
Capt. Luckett complained of feeling
i'll early yesterday, and was treated at
home by physician. He was listening
to base ball scores over the radio when
he died. Only a moment before he
had asked his wife to bring him a
glass of water and then fell over on a
bed while she was in an adjoining room
Known as the Grand Old Man of
the Potomac" Capt Luckett was affec-
tionately called Capt. Bill" Luckett by
riYermen and notables.
Knew Many Notables.
He became intimately acquainted
with all Presidents from Roosevelt to
Coolidge and knew President Hoover
slightly. He also knew many visiting
dignitaries who had been passengers on
the Mayflower as he piloted it down the
Potomac. Among them were King AL
bert OF Belgium, with whom he CORE
sponded; Marshal Foch, Admiral Beatty
and others.
A keen observer of men. Capt.
Luckett could readily describe the per
sonalities of the many famous persons
with whom he was acquainted. King
Albert OF Belgium had been described
by him as very democratic and a royal
good mixer" Likewise he is said to
have made comments on the traits ex-
hibited by other notables.
During his many years Of service
Capt. Luckett had piloted practically
every type of ship on the Potomac. He
was pilot of the u. S. S. Olympic when
it conveyed the body of the Unknown
Soldier to Washington. He also piloted
the cruiser Memphis when it brought
Col. Charles A. Lindbergh here after
the latter'S famous transatlantic flight
Capt. Luckett several times had COM
mented on the striking contrast of the
two occasions, referring to the sadness
and solemity upon the occasion of the
return of the Unknown Soldier and the
gayety existing when Lindbergh came
here.
Capt. Luckett was born here Deem
Der 20, 1854, and had resided here al
his life. He was educated in the public
schools and soon after being graduated
from high school began as apprentice
pilot.
Service in Navy.
His knowledge of the river gained
for him a pilots license at the age Of
20 years. His early service on the wa
ter included brief period in the Navy
He knew the river and its many land
marks so we'll that he never had to USE
sounding weight or a light of any
sort in plotting ships on the darkest
nights.
Capt. Luckett's first command of i'm
portance was the old excursion boat
George Leary which ran between
Washington and Norfolk, Va. Later hi
piloted the Mary Washington on hel
excursion trips to Quanttco. AfterWaro
he was captain for a number of year,
of the Washington, which piled between
here and Norfolk.
Capt. Luckett's services were lmnedl-
ately sought when the Mayfower wa:
put in commission. President Roosevelt
was the first of the Presidents to make
trips on her and Roosevelt children be-
| came great favorites of the veteran
captain.
In later years Capt. Luckett taught
| Quentin Roosevelt, who gave his life IN
France, many principles of plotting ano
navigation.
CAPT. Luckett took the Mayfower
down the river on her last trip after
President Hoover had ordered the ship
placed in retirement. His last official
trip on the river was as pilot OF the
Nitro, bringing powder from the Vir-
ginia Capes to the Indian Head Prov
ing Grounds about month ago.
Capt. Luckett is survived by his
widow, who was Miss Blanche Ger
trude Adams, to whom he was mar
ried in 1895, and a sister, Mrs. William
Grinder of Indian Head, Md.
Capt. Luckett was member OF the
Association of Oldest Inhabitants OF
the District of Columbia, the District of
Columbia Society of Natives, was treas
urer of the Southeast Washington Cit
izens' Association and active in the
Masons, belonging to the Andrew Jack
son Lodge Alexandria; the Knights
Templar and AlmaS Temple OF the
Shrine.
Funeral services will be conducted in
Gawler's chapel, 1850 Pennsylvania
avenue, tomorrow afternoon at 2
o'clock. Rev Thomas burlington will
officiate. Interment will be in Con-
gressiona1 Cemetery.