Richard Brown (pilot)

Richard "Dick" Brown (July 3, 1810 – June 18, 1885) was a 19th-century Sandy Hook pilot. Born in Mystic, Connecticut, Brown is known for being the captain of the racing America (yacht) that was the first winner of the America's Cup. He was also the captain for the 19th-century Sandy Hook pilot boat Mary Taylor No. 17.[1]

Richard Brown
Richard "Dick" Brown
Born(1810-07-03)July 3, 1810
Mystic, Connecticut, US
DiedJune 18, 1885(1885-06-18) (aged 74)
Brooklyn, New York, US
NationalityAmerican
Occupationharbor pilot
Children6

Professional life

Brown entered service with the United States Coast Survey. In 1838, he left this service and became a Sandy Hook pilot.[2] He was the owner and captain of the pilot boat Mary Taylor No. 17, built in 1849 at Williamsburg, New York, and designed by George Steers of whom he was a personal friend. Brown named her after the scandalous actress Mary Taylor. Steers designed her with a new thin bow and wide stern, which made her faster than any boat of her size.[1][3]

In the 1850s Brown had risen from obscurity to be the subject of respect of the pilots, merchants, and shipowners of the city. He was chosen to be the captain on the America on her trip to England on June 20, 1851. His crew had a First mate, a Second mate, a Cook, and eight Seamen. Designer, George Steers was also a passenger and 2nd Mate. Brown was captain of the yacht when she won the Queen's cup in the race round the Isle of Wight in England on August 22, 1851.[4][1][5]

Brown was also the captain and part owner of the pilot boat Mary E. Fish, No. 4.[2] He helped supervise the construction of the Fish and served aboard her from 1876 to 1885.[6][1]

Death

On June 18, 1885, Brown died at his home in Brooklyn, New York, after getting frostbite in his left foot, which turned to gangrene after which he died. He is buried in Green-Wood Cemetery. He was 75 years of age.[7][2]

Honors

For his services to the America's Cup, he was inducted into the America's Cup Hall of Fame in 1999.[8]

References
  1. Shaw, David W. (2004). America's Victory: The Heroic Story of a Team of Ordinary Americans. ISBN 9781574091878. Retrieved 2020-08-02.
  2. "Death of the Oldest Sandy Hook Pilot". The Sun. New York, New York. 1885-06-19. Retrieved 2020-08-02.
  3. Cunliffe, Tom (2001). Pilots, The World Of Pilotage Under Sail and Oar. Brooklin, Maine: WoodenBoat. p. 73. ISBN 9780937822692.
  4. "American Telegraph". Washington, District: Daily American Telegraph. 1851-06-24. Retrieved 2020-08-03.
  5. Neblett, Thomas R. (2009). Civil War Yacht: Chronicles of the Yacht America. pp. 35–53. ISBN 9781604627183.
  6. "Index to Ship Registers". research.mysticseaport.org. Mystic seaport. Retrieved 2020-02-23.
  7. "Death of Captain Richard Brown". The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. Brooklyn, New York. Retrieved 2020-08-03.
  8. "Captain Richard "Dick" Brown". herreshoff.org. Retrieved 2020-08-03.
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