Electus Comfort

Electus Comfort (1826 – June 12, 1894) was a 19th-century Sandy Hook pilot, in active pilot service for 42 years. He was known as the "Beau Brummell of the Sea". He was the captain for the 19th-century Sandy Hook pilot boat Joseph F. Loubat, No. 16.[1][2]

Electus Comfort
Electus Comfort
Born1826
DiedJune 12, 1894(1894-06-12) (aged 68)
Brooklyn, New York, US
Nationality American
Occupationharbor pilot
Spouse(s)Mary Mead
Children2

Early life

Comfort married Mary Mead. They had two children, Sarah F. Comfort born in 1850 and Emma L. Comfort born in 1860, both from New York. Mary died on March 27, 1907.[3][4]

Career
Pilot Boat Joseph F. Loubat, No. 16.

Comfort started as pilot in 1851 and was in active service for 42 years. He was registered as captain of the pilot boat Christian Bergh and the Joseph F. Loubat, No. 16, that were owned by Comfort and other New York pilots.[5]

As part-owner of the Loubat pilot boat, Comfort was invited to assist in the ceremonies of the launch at the Jacob S. Ellis's shipyard in Tottenville, Staten Island, on Saturday, December 18, 1880. The launch consisted of the four owners, a large number of pilots and their families and friends. Captain Comfort would be in command of the J. F. Loubat.[6]

Comfort was also Master of the pilot-boat Christian Bergh, that was built in 1851, by Aaron J. Westervelt at the Westervelt & Co. shipyard in New York City .[7]

His well-dressed appearance was typical of some of the New York pilots as a way to show their wealth. He wore a silk top hat, frock coat, boiled shirt and a bow tie. He had gray whiskers and smoked a cigar.[8]

Comfort was a trustee of the New York Sandy Hook Pilots' Charitable Fund. The fund, in 1894, supported 29 widows, 14 children, and 4 men.[9]

Death

Comfort died on June 12, 1894 in Brooklyn, New York at age 69. Funeral services were at his residence, 465 Lexington Avenue, Brooklyn.[10] At the time of his death he was a member of the John D. Willard Lodge, No. 250, F and A.[11]

References
  1. Allen, Edward L. (1922). Pilot Lore From sail to Steam. New York: The United New York and New Jersey Sandy Hook Pilots Benevolent Associations.
  2. Russell, Charles Edward (1929). From Sandy Hook to 62°. New York: Century Co. OCLC 3804485.
  3. "Marriages and Deaths". New Brooklyn Daily Eagle. New York. 1907-03-28. Retrieved 2020-08-18.
  4. 1860 United States Census, 1860
  5. "Index to Ship Registers". Mystic Seaport Museum. New York. Retrieved 2020-08-18.
  6. Loubat, Joseph Florimond (1887). A yachtsman's scrap book: or, The ups and downs of yacht racing. New York: Brentano Brothers. p. 268.
  7. "Record of American and Foreign Shipping". Mystic Seaport Museum. New York. Retrieved 2020-10-14.
  8. "Critic at Large: Harbor Tug Is Dutiful Courtier in Getting an Ocean Queen Out to Sea". New York Times. New York, N.Y. 1962-05-15. ProQuest 115985822.
  9. "Sandy Hook Pilots' Charity". New York Herald. New York. 1894-04-11. Retrieved 2020-08-19.
  10. "Died". Brooklyn Daily Eagle. Brooklyn, NY. 1894-06-13. Retrieved 2020-08-18.
  11. "Deaths". The New York Herald. New York. 1894-06-13. Retrieved 2020-08-18.
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