Charles W. van Rensselaer
| Charles W. Van Rensselaer | |
|---|---|
| Born |
Charles Watkins Van Rensselaer January 29, 1823 |
| Died | September 12, 1857 (aged 34) |
| Nationality | American |
| Parent(s) | John S. Van Rensselaer Ann Dunkin |
| Relatives | Killian K. Van Rensselaer (grandfather) |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance |
 United States of America
|
| Service/branch |
 United States Navy
|
| Rank | First officer |
Charles Watkins Van Rensselaer (January 29, 1823 – September 12, 1857) was the first officer and paymaster serving on board the U.S. mail ship SS Central America (later also known as the "Ship of Gold"), when it was lost during a hurricane in September 1857.
Charles Watkins Van Rensselaer was born on January 29, 1823. He was the son of the late Judge John Sanders Van Rensselaer (1792–1868) and Ann Dunkin (1795–1845). He was the grandson of the late Killian K. Van Rensselaer (1763–1845), lawyer and Federalist politician who served in the United States Congress as a Representative from the state of New York. His siblings were: Dunkin Henry Van Rensselaer (1817–1819), Maunsell Van Rensselaer (1819–1900), Margaretta Sanders Van Rensselaer (1821–1879), Ann Elizabeth Van Rensselaer (b. 1825), Lydia Beekman Van Rensselaer (b. 1827), Harriet Letitia Van Rensselaer (b. 1830), Samuel Watkins Van Rensselaer (1832–1839), Catherine Sanders Van Rensselaer (b. 1834), and Louisa Van Rensselaer (1838–1862).
As a youth, Charles attended The Albany Academy.
Van Rensselaer served for a short time as a lieutenant in the United States Revenue Service until a reduction of officers was implemented. Before the SS George Law was renamed, the position of first officer was filled by Van Rensselaer.
Maunsell van Rensselaer, Charles' brother, had an opportunity to be a passenger during this period. He described his brother as the person who fulfilled his duties handily. On the occasion when the captain, William Lewis Herndon fell ill, a voyage from Aspinwall to New York was left entirely in the hands of Van Rensselaer. Reportedly, he handled the vessel so well that the passengers were completely unaware of the captain's condition. During the subsequent voyages, the captain was confident that his ship was in capable hands while he visited with the passengers. According to Maunsell, the captain once encouraged Charles, who was his close friend, to take his ship and explore any place that he wished.
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