James Charles (sea captain)
James Charles | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1865 |
| Died | July 16, 1928 RMS Aquitania at Southampton, England |
| Occupation(s) | ship's captain, Commodore of Cunard Line(1921) |
| Years active | 1880-1928 |
Sir James Charles (1865- July 16,1928) was a noted British ocean-liner captain and later Commodore of the Cunard Steamship Line. He first went to sea at 15 in 1880 sailing on barques around Cape Horn South Africa. At Cunard he rose through the ranks and command ships like the RMS Lusitania and RMS Mauretania before and during World War 1. In March 1918 he was given command of the RMS Aquitania. He was knighted for his wartime service in 1920 and made Commodore of the Cunard Line in 1921. He was due to retire on August 2 1928 when he stricken with an internal hemorrhage while in command of the Aquitania on a return voyage to Southampton.[1]
Death
Sir James final voyage was on the Aquitania. In his career he had made 726 transatlantic voyages. At New York there was little turn around time and he spoke of having to spend much time on the bridge due to fog. At Cherbourg his officer tried to persuade him to rest and allow Staff Captain Dolphin to dock the ship. After Cherbourg the ship made it's way to Southampton and Sir James felt more inclined to allow the receiving pilot to take charge of the Aquitania. He reluctantly agreed to rest in the chartroom where he was taken ill with hemorrhage. When the Aquitania docked his wife was summoned and he was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead. The Commodore's flag was lowered to half-mast announcing his passing to the passengers.
References
- ^ The Evening Star (Washington, D.C.) July 16, 1928 [NOTED SEA CAPTAIN DIES ON LAST TRIP----Sir James Charles of Aquitania Expires Just After His Liner Docks
External links
Sir James Charles with Admiral Sir David Beatty in 1922 on the Aquitania(courtesy Maritimequest)
