Augustus Van Pelt

Augustus Van Pelt (February 2, 1817 – October 18, 1889) was a 19th-century New York Sandy Hook maritime pilot.

[1] In 1845, Van Pelt and John McGinn lead an opposition to the newly formed Board of Pilot Commissioners.

On October 10, 1860, Van Pelt signed a statement that he was satisfied with the representation that he had received from the New York Board of Commissioners of Pilots.

The company of captains that owned the Columbia were: Augustus Van Pelt, Benjamin Simonson, Henry E. Sequine, Stephen H. Jones, Christopher M. Wolf, and Daniel V.

[8] In November 1879, Van Pelt, Captain Walter Brewer and Captain Josiah Johnson were on a New York Board of Commissioners of Pilots committee to confer with merchants and shipowners regarding legislation of a bill to reduce the pilot fees.

[10][11] Van Pelt filed a lawsuit in the United States district court against the steamship claiming $18,100 in damages on behalf of the widows of the men that were lost on the pilot boat.