History

Capt. Benjamin S. Rich

life-saving service superintendent · d. 1901

Superintendent of the Fifth District of the United States Life-Saving Service, the district then covering the Maryland and Virginia stations from Fenwick Island south. He died in the first half of 1901, and Sumner I. Kimball, general superintendent of the Service, summoned the applicants for his place to meet the Board of Examiners at Ocean City, Md., on 6 July 1901 to stand the civil service examination. His son Capt. Newell Rich, keeper of the Assateague Beach station, was reported as a strong candidate to succeed him, "thoroughly versed in the duties of the office, and endorsed by many of the best men on the Shore." — 1897 FULL PASS, 2026-08-11: Adds his post and pay four years before his death. On 1 July 1897 he was Superintendent of the Fifth Life-Saving District - the coasts of Delaware, Maryland and Virginia from Cape Henlopen to Cape Charles - born in Massachusetts, appointed from Accomac County, Virginia, employed at Daugherty, Va., at $1,600.00 a year, the highest-paid man in the district. His assistant inspector was Lieut. John F. Wild, born Louisiana, appointed from the District of Columbia, employed at Onancock, Va., with compensation printed as 'None' - he drew Revenue-Cutter Service pay. The Ocean City, North Beach and Green Run Inlet keepers all reported to Rich.