The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1888-10-10 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

DEATH OF CAPT. GLEADELL.  Many of our readers will hear with regret of the death of Captain Benjamin Gleadell, commander rd the Germanic, the commodore ship of the White St.r Line, who resided at Manor Lodge, Liscard. The sad intelligence has just been received that the captain died suddenly at sea on the 28th ult. The Germanic left the Mersey on the 26th ult. for New York with a fall complement of passengers on board. Captain Gleadell was then in his usual robust health, and, as was his wont, he took the personal charge of 1119 vessel until Queenstown was passed. Notwithstanding his more than forty.eight hours of continuous duty, Captain Gleadell was not the man to seek for rest while his presence was needed on deck, and, although no particulars are yet to hand, it. is believed that the Revere mental and physical strain brought on a fit of apoplexy on the third day after leaving Liverpool, which speedily resultod in death. Captain Gleadell was in the chart room when the fatal seizure came upon him. The chief officer at °nee took charge of the steamer, which arrived at New York early on Friday morning, having on board the body of the deceased commander. The body will be sent Lome at the earliest opportunity for interment at Wallasey Church, in which parish Captain Gleadell's family have resided for a number of years. Sineere regret will be felt at Cr, sudden death of one who was so wellknown in the Atlantic service, and who has on many occasions proved that he was not only a skilful and experienced navigator, but alsd'a humane commander, and an excellent social friend. He enjoyed the repntatiou of being perhaps the most capable commander now in the Atlantic service, and his loss will be keenly felt by the White Star Company, who have frequently testified to their approval of his ability and services. Although a man of fine physique. there is no doubt that Captain Gleadell succumbed to his devotion of duty. Captain Gleadell, who was only in his fiftysixth year, was a native of Gainsborough, in Lincolnshire, and when rialto a young man he held important posi.ions on several vessels. He has since lived a busy and eventful life, most of which was passed on the ocean. During the Crimean War the deceased was placed in command of one of the transports which conveyed troops to the Black Sea, a duty which he discharged most successfully. Afterwards he was for some years n officer in the service of the Cunard Company, and in 1670 he accented the command of the steamship Celia which was chartered by the Great Northern Telegraph Extension Company, on behalf of the Danish Government, for the purpose of laying the cable between Hong-Kong and Shanghai. Daring the progress of the work a tragic event occurred, which might have had serious consequences for the undertaking had a man of less resource and energy than Captain Gleadell been in command of the vessel. The electrician in charge of the cable committed suicide, and Captain Gleadell himself enperiutentled the work, and successfullylaid tho last link in the cable, thereby completing a connection with distant anvil( which has been of incalculable advantage to the world. For his conduct on that occasion Captain Gleadell received the thanks of the Danish Government. Early in 1872 he made the voyage to the Cape of Good Hope, which induced Sir Donald Carrie to form the new well known line of Cape steamers. Sir Donald Currie was manager of the line when Captain Gleadell Was an officer in that cornpasty, and knowing his capabilities, Sir Donald offered him the C0,111119,13f1 of the first steamer which was built for the Cape line, but as he had jest accepted a command in the White Star line, he had to decline the offer. The Atlantic was the first of the White Star liners commanded by Captain Gleadell, but he was $lOOl.l transferred to one of the other vessels. On the first voyage of the Atlantic after he had left her she was lost off Halifax. Besides the Atlantic, Captami Gleadell also commanded in succession the Baltic, Republic, Gaelic, Adriatic, Celtic, Britannic, and Germanic, and on board the last-named he has died. As commodore of the White Star fleet, be was to have taken command of 1 the new steamer which is now being I built for the company, and which will, it is expected, be launched this mouth. During his whole career in the White Star line Captain Gleadell was most fortunate both in the preservation of his employers' property and the lives of his passengers. It will be remembered by many that at the beginning of 1834, the Celtic, with Captain Gleadell in command, was three weeks overdue on the voyage from New York to Liverpool, and great anxiety was manifested as to her safety. When at length she arrived in the Mersey in the middle of January, it was found that her shaft broke when only a few hundred miles from New York, and Captain Gleadell brought her safely home under sail. For this featl he received from the passengers on board the vessel a silver tea and coffee service, and his skill WM also acknowledged both by the White Star Company and the Uulerwritere Association. Since he entered the service of the White Star Company, Captain Gleadell was instrumental in saving no fewer than sixty-five lives at sea, in recognition of which he received the following rewards :—lu 1872, the Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society's silver modal; in 1874, an illuminated vote of thanks from the United States Congress; in 1875, the Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society's gold medal, and the Board of Trade bronze medal; in 1877, a gold watch and chain from the United States Government, and a gold clasp to his medal; and in 1881, smother gold clasp to his medal, Notwithstanding his busy life the deceased, took much interest in the fl om es for Aged Mariners at Egremout, being a member of the Visiting Committee of the Mercantile Marine Service Association, which has charge of the institntion.  Captain theadell has left s widow and six children—two sons and font- daughters— to mourn his lose. It will be remembered that a short time ago one of the deceased gentle. man's daughters was married to a son of Mr. Francis Johnston, J.P.  NOTICES or Mitantros at which the attend. (ince of a Reporter from the Birkenhead News is required, shonld be sent, together with tickets of adm;ssion, as far in advance BE possible, and be addressed to "l'he Editor." A NEW Ea.—To all who suffer from nervous debility, physical ailments or chronic diseases, and who in vain have tried all known remedies I will send valuable information of a recutly•dbcovered method that will cure you, and give you a new lease of life. State your complaint. Send a self.addressed stamped envelope to Professor Justin Bellevue, 68, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London. Mention this paper.