File:Electus Comfort Image from page 43 of "Pilot lore; from sail to steam" (1922).jpg

Title: Pilot lore; from sail to steam Year: 1922 (1920s) Authors: United New York and New Jersey Sandy Hook Pilots Benevolent Associations National Service Bureau Allen, Edward L Subjects: Shipping -- New York (State) New York Pilots and pilotage -- New York (State) New York New York (N.Y.) -- Harbor Publisher: [New York] Contributing Library: University of California Libraries Digitizing Sponsor: MSN

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Text Appearing Before Image: loll Gate into Long Island Sound. It was now near the full moon.It was my intention to run up the harbor just after dark, as I knewthe way in by Sandy Hook, then go on up the East River, settingfire to the shipping on both sides and, when abreast of the NavyYard, to open fire, hoping some of our shells might set fire to thebuildings and any vessels that might be at the docks, and finally tosteam through Hell Gate into the Long Island Sound. I knew fromthe daily papers, which we received only a day or two old, whatvessels were in port and that there was nothing then ready thatcould oppose us. But no pilot could be found who knew the roador who was willing to undertake it and I was forced to abandon thescheme. * * * As the tender (the pilot boat) proved a draw-backto our rapid movements I determined to destroy her. It was a mis-take for I was authorized by the government (Confederate) to fitout any prize as a cruiser and this one ought to have been sent alongthe eastern coast. \J — 17

Text Appearing After Image: ELECTUS COMFORT—BEAU BRUMMEL OF THE SEA Captain of the pilot boat J. F. Loubat No. 16—Captain Comfort zcas in active service 4-2 years THE DA YS OF SENTIMENT IN THE days before and just after the Civil War there was a dealmore sentiment and ceremony attached to the coming and going of pilots than there is in these ultra-commercialized days. TheSandy Hook pilot came on board a ship like a visiting admiral,greeted at the rail by the captain of the ship with the major por-tion of the crew standing about, if not at attention, at least inrespectful attitude while the newcomer was given his welcome aboard. And in those days there were no peaked caps, rough clothes orsou-westers worn by the sturdy sea scouts who lay in wait forarriving ships. Plug hats and frock coats constituted the au faitapparel for the Sandy Hook pilot. On shore the pilot invariablywas the Beau Brummel of his home port. Those were the good olddays when a man divided his calling between sentiment and strictcommerciali

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