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The Seattle Daily Times
Wednesday, September 27, 1933
Page 18, Column 4

Captain Tyler, Early Day Yukon Mariner, Passes

Mariners of early days in Alaska and on the Pacific Coast and government officers today attended funeral services for Captain George Tyler, former Assistant Inspector of Hulls for the United States Steamboat Inspection Service in Seattle, who died Monday in Portland. Captain Tyler retired recently as local Inspector of Hulls at Hoquiam. The services were held at the Bleitz Funeral Parlors.

Captain Tyler came from a long line of seafaring folk. He was born near New London, Connecticut, in 1863. At the age of 10 years he decided to follow in the wake of his ancestors and go to sea. He sailed out of East Coast ports for several years and at the age of 18 came to the Pacific, landing in San Francisco.

Captain Tyler made his first appearance in Seattle in 1881 as a seaman in the old steamship Idaho. He worked in many pioneer vessels including the sternwheeler Chehalis in the days when she was commanded by Captain Curtis Brownfield with Captain D. Thomas Davies as mate.

Captain Tyler received his mate’s license in 1894 and his master’s license in 1897. He held the first pilot’s license ever issued for the Yukon River and was the first man to take a steamboat through dangerous Five Finger Rapids.

Captain Tyler joined the United States Steamboat Inspection Service in 1917. He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Myrtle Tyler; a brother, P.B. Tyler, retired Battalion Chief of the Seattle Fire Department; a sister, Mrs. Addie E. Dorr and two daughters by a former marriage, Mrs. Helen Newsome, Seattle and Mrs. Ruth Meck, San Jose, California. Burial will be in Lake View Cemetery.

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Generously contributed by: Sheila Simpson