LIBBEY, Charles Franklin

LIBBEY, Charles Franklin (1863-1956), second of ten children and first son born to Charles Douglas Libbey, he followed in his father’s footsteps to become a man of the sea. On April 8, 1885 he married Ella Maude Kimes (1866-1955) and they had nine children:

• Charles Barclay (1886-1918)
• Guy Cary (1888-1973)
• Edna Ella [Clancy] (1889-1980)
• Dede Alida (1891-1914)
• Ora Maude (1893-1983)
• Samuel Roland (1895-1985)
• Lester Franklin (1897-1918)
• Vincent Earl (1899-1977)
• Viola Julia (1902-)

Daughter, Dede, married Frank Pepper, superintendent of Santa Rosa Island. For years, Charles F. was master of the sloop Ocean King, which traveled between Santa Barbara and the Channel Islands. At the end of his seafaring days, Libbey became the caretaker of El Capitan Ranch where he lived for 29 years. He died in 1956 at age 92 in Los Angeles, and is buried in Rose Hill Cemetery. His wife, Ella, died in August 1955.

In the News~

April 21, 1884 [SBBP]: “The staunch, sea-worthy and fast-sailing sloop, Ocean King, is now prepared to accommodate excursions, fishing and sailing parties, to carry freight to and from any of the islands, and to undertake any other business that may offer. For terms and other particulars apply at the house of Captain A. Larco, or on board the sloop, to Charles F. Libbey, Master. Santa Barbara, April 21st, 1884.”

April 22, 1884 [SBDP]: “Having disposed of the Ocean King I hereby bespeak for Mr. Charles F. Libbey, who has taken command, a continuance of the patronage hitherto bestowed upon me; and I further desire to recommend him to my friends, and to the public in general, as a careful and competent seaman, well-acquainted with the navigation of the Santa Barbara channel and islands, and as a courteous and obliging man. (Signed) A. Larco. The staunch, seaworthy, and fast-sailing Ocean King is now prepared to accommodate excursions, fishing and sailing parties, to carry freight to and from any of the islands, and to undertake any other business that may offer. For terms and other particulars apply at the house of Captain A. Larco, or on board the sloop, to Charles F. Libbey, Master.”

April 22, 1884 [SBDP]: “Excursion parties to the islands will be the fashion this year even more than last. The staunch little vessel Ocean King bids fair to be in constant requisition, and under the new and efficient management of Mr. Libbey, will prove even more conducive to the pleasure of merry parties than ever before…”

April 23, 1884 [SBDP]: “The Ocean King sails for San Nicolas Island this afternoon or tomorrow for another load of sheep. Her sailing has been delayed on account of an accident to Captain Libbey in which he cut off the end of a little finger while splitting wood. The disabled member is healing nicely, however.”

April 25, 1884 [SBDI]: “The staunch, sea-worthy and fast-sailing sloop, Ocean King, is now prepared to accommodate excursions, fishing and sailing parties, to carry freight to and from any of the Islands, and to undertake any other business that may offer. For terms and other particulars, apply at the house of Captain A. Larco, or on board the sloop to Chas. F. Libbey, Master.”

April 25, 1884 [SBDI]: “Captain Libbey, of the Ocean King, is still suffering from the accidental wounding of his finger. Amputation may be necessary.”

July 24, 1884 [SBDI]: “The Ocean King, Captain Libbey, arrived yesterday from Santa Cruz Island with a cargo of seal oil and skins.”

July 31, 1884 [SBDI]: “A Chinese junk founders on a reef near San Nicolas. We learn from Captain Libbey, who arrived in the harbor this morning with his sloop, the Ocean King, with several tons of abalone shells, the miraculous escape of the crew of a Chinese junk that left San Diego a few days ago for the purpose of securing a cargo of abalone shells for the San Francisco market. While lying at anchor on the evening of the 25th inst., a westerly gale sprang up, and not withstanding the fact that the vessel had two anchors out she drifted upon a reef that at high tide is not noticeable. On board, all was still up to the time she struck the rocks, and her pounding course woke the occupants. The vessel was a total wreck… Captain Libbey, who had been aroused by the noise of the boat in going over the reef, being lifted and lowered by the action of the swells of the ocean, hove in sight and rescued the men from their perilous position and landed them safely in Santa Barbara. The crew consisted of eight men, and the only thing on board that was saved was a bag of rice and a coil of rope. The boat was of about 35-tons register and uninsured. From the description of the boat it is supposed to be the one that was launched in this city [Santa Barbara] some two years ago by the Chinamen…”

August 17, 1885 [SBDP]: “The sloop Ocean King, Captain Charles Libbey, arrived in port Saturday night from the islands with 35 sacks of dried abalone and 35 sacks of shells.”

January 19, 1887 [?]: “The sloop Ocean King, Captain Charles Libbey, arrived in port Saturday night with thirty sacks of dried abalones and thirty-five sacks of shell.”

May 6, 1888 [SBMP]: “Yesterday morning the sloop Ocean King, Captain Charles Libbey, arrived from Anacapa Island with E. Elliot, the owner of the island, and F. N. Dancaster, who had been over there on a short pleasure trip...”

May 11, 1888 [LAT]: “Yesterday morning the sloop Ocean King, Captain Charles Libbey, arrived from Anacapa Island with E. Elliott, the owner of the island, and F. N. Dancaster, who had been over there on a short pleasure trip… The party brought back with them many different varieties of rare flowers and ferns, some abalones, a large number of sea gull eggs, and many other knick-knacks too numerous to mention. Mr. Elliott also brought over a sample of some alfalfa, 40 acres of which is in full bloom on the island… Charles Libbey, the master of the boat, accompanied the gentlemen about the island and greatly assisted them in finding and discovering some of the many hidden beauties and treasures of the island.”

July 12, 1892 [SBMP]: “The Union Mill & Company’s schooner, Ruby, has not been heard of for two weeks. It left San Clemente Island in charge of Captain Libbey and Cremon Meesia. They intended to bring back a load of Chinamen from the island, but the owners fear the government officials have seized the boat on suspicion.”

March 14, 1899 [LAT/SB]: “The schooner Acme, Captain Libbey in charge, arrived Sunday night from the islands with 150 sheep.”

GET SBNP OBIT. Died Jan. 4, 1955.

January ? 1955 [SBNP]: “Funeral services will be held in El Monte tomorrow for Charles F. Libbey, 92, a native of Santa Barbara, who died Wednesday in a Los Angeles hospital after a brief illness. Mr. Libbey was the son of a Santa Barbara girl [Mary Refugio de Jesus Garcia Pico] who married the captain [Charles Douglas Libbey] of one of the Boston ships which came to this harbor. For many years Mr. Libbey was master of the sloop Ocean King, which traveled between Santa Barbara and the Channel Islands. At the end of his seafaring days, he became the caretaker of El Capitan Ranch where he lived for 29 years. He is survived by three sons, Guy C. Libbey of El Monte, Rowland and Earl Libbey of Goleta, thee daughters, Mrs. A. J Carrillo and Mrs. Edna Clancy of Santa Barbara and Mrs. E. H. Hodgins of Oxnard, 21 grandchildren, and 26 great-grandchildren. Mr. Libbey has been traveling until Christmas with the Libbey Family Band, an evangelical group touring the United States, Mexico, Canada and Cuba in its own bus for the past 20 months. His wife Maude Libbey died in August 1955. Servoces will take place at 1:30 P.M. tomorrow in the Pellissier Village Chapel, El Monte Internment at Rose Hills Cemetery.”