[3] His siblings were: Dunkin H., Maunsell, Margaretta, Ann Elizabeth, Lydia, Harriet Letitia, Samuel Watkins, Catherine, and Louisa.

[4][1] Van Rensselaer served for a short time as a lieutenant in the United States Revenue Service until a reduction of officers was implemented.

On the occasion when the captain, William Lewis Herndon fell ill, a voyage from Aspinwall to New York was left entirely in the hands of Van Rensselaer.

After leaving Havana, on the final leg of its voyage to New York, the ship encountered an estimated category 2 hurricane on September 9, at approximately 160 miles (260 km) off the coast of Charleston, South Carolina.

Over the next three days, the SS Central America sustained increasing damage as all efforts to bail-out water were futile due to failed pumps and the rough weather.

Survivor accounts credit Captain Herndon and first officer, Van Rensselaer, for their heroic efforts as they helped the women and children into the few available lifeboats.