Published obituary

19 June 1885

New York Times newspaper

CAPT. RICHARD BROWN'S DEATH.

AN OLD SANDY HOOK PILOT, AND ONCE SAILING MASTER OF THE AMERICA.

Capt. Richard Brown, an old Sandy Hook pilot and the sailing master of the yacht America when she won the now famous cup, died early yesterday morning at his residence, No. 89 Adelphi-street Brooklyn. Capt. Brown came of a seafaring family, and was born at Mystic, Conn., in 1813. As a lad he engaged in the cod-fishery off the coast of New England. After he grew up he entered the service of the United States Coast Survey and was employed for many years as a bouy-setter on the brig Washington, which tended the Jersey coast from New-York to the Delaware. About the year 1848 he left the Government service and became a Sandy Hook pilot. He had the reputation of being one of the most skillful sailing masters in these waters, and when It was decided to enter the yacht America in the Royal Squadron regatta, sailed at Cowes in August, 1851, the owners engaged him to sail her. That memorable race has rendered Englishmen restive for 34 years. As an individual trophy Capt. Brown brought back a fine spyglass presented to him by Mrs. Schenley.

In 1870, at the request of James Gordon Bennett, he went to England to sail the Dauntless in her race with the Cambria across the ocean to this port. The yachts did not take the same course, and the Cambria arrived here an hour and a half ahead, but the Dauntless lost two hours by laying-to to try and recover a sailor who was washed overboard. He also sailed the Dauntless after her arrival here, in the Cambria's race for the cup which was won by the Magic. Soon after the ocean race he was presented with a fine pocket compass by George Stephenson, of the New-York Yacht Club. On a still later occasion he again sailed the Dauntless in one of the regattas of the New-York Yacht Club, when his son Charles Brown sailed the Sappho. The Sappho won the race. Charles Brown, who was also a Sandy Hook pilot, died in 1878. Capt. Brown continued to be an active pilot until last Winter. One very cold night In February, while bringing a steamship into port, be had one of his feet frozen. Gangrene supervened and he gradually failed. His wife died some years ago. He leaves two sons and four daughters. Funeral services will be held at the house on Sunday, and be will be buried In Greenwood.