B&CSC Mourns Passing of its President, Holton F. Brown, affectionately, “Brownie”
L-R Baltimore & Chesapeake Steamboat Company president Holton F. Brown (“Brownie”), accepting flags for the B&CSC’s 1940 police patrol/fireboat CHARLES D. GAITHER; former Congresswoman Helen Delich Bentley who chaired the U.S. Maritime Commission holding a photo of the GAITHER; and Maryland Senate Minority Leader Bryan W. Simonaire, at a monthly Baltimore Port Alliance meeting. B&CSC photo.
The Board of Directors of the Baltimore & Chesapeake Steamboat Company is saddened to announce the passing of its president, Holton F. Brown.
“Brownie” had been one of the volunteers working on the 1906 Steam Tug BALTIMORE. In 2005, some of those volunteers decided they would like to do more and formed the Baltimore & Chesapeake Steamboat Company (B&CSC), an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit that preserves, interprets, and supports industrial maritime heritage efforts in the Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore and the Chesapeake Bay Region. Browie was serving as president at the time of his passing.
A former medic with the US Air Force, he worked as an editorial assistant with the Baltimore Sun before retiring in 2008. His stories were legendary, often funny and poignant. He was a kind man behind his ‘salty’ edges and, oh, so proud of his family and grandchildren.
Brownie was well known to folks in both the Baltimore City Fire and Police Departments and was a long-time member as well as on the board of the Fire Museum of Maryland. He was as master interpreter with them, the Baltimore City Fire Museum, and at Baltimore & Chesapeake Steamboat Company events that included serving as one of our docents aboard the Nuclear Ship Savannah. He had a knack for speaking with people of all ages and really enjoyed talking with families. The scope of his knowledge, both technical and historical, was impressive.
In addition to being our president, he was also serving as president of the Baltimore City Fire Department Auxiliary BOX 414 Association, an organization his father helped to found. BOX 414 takes its name from the first alarm given for the 1904 Great Fire of Baltimore where fireboats and tugs helped contain rapidly spreading fire along the city’s waterfront.
Just last week, Brownie shared his delight in BOX 414’s new ‘comfort station’ vehicle. It joins their fleet that provides sustenance for first responders, firefighters and police officers in prolonged, often critically remote, situations. Box 414 members also operate the Baltimore City Fire Museum.
Brownie spent his latter years confounding the medical community with wit and wry humor – when he wasn’t working to forward the various missions of the nonprofits he served so diligently.
Further details will be posted as they become available. Fair Winds and Following Seas, shipmate and dear friend.