Another old land mark was removed from the Bureau this month in the person of Percy Castles who retired as of Sept. 1st.

Born and raised in Buffalo, New York, Percy entered the Coast Survey on August 15, 1900, and his first assignment was in the office in the Philippine Islands.

At the conclusion of this assignment he returned to the office where he was assigned to the cartographic section and remained there ever since.

On his return trip from the Philippines Percy made an extensive tour of Japan, most of it by donkey. He relates many interesting experiences on the Isle of Hirohita as well as his visits to the many ports of call on the way back.

Another interesting experience was a short assignment with Capt. Paul Whitney aboard one of the Coast Pilot ships.

An ardent fisherman, he could be found on one of the well stocked streams on his frequent days off and when not fishing he was enjoying many motor boating trips in the launch owned jointly by himself and Sully Maize.

As a small boy he was one of the boy sopranos and sang in an Episcopal Church choir in Buffalo.

Being of a decided mechanical turn of mind, Percy was often seen tinkering with engines. A few years ago he tore down Harold MacEwen’s famous engine and gave it a thorough overhauling. We wouldn’t for a moment think that Percy’s overhauling had anything to do with Mac’s troubles in running this now famous motor.

Mr. Castles many friends join with us in hoping he will enjoy to the fullest his long vacation from the drawing board and hope he will see his way clear to come in to see us often.

In: “The Buzzard,” Vol. IX, No. 40, p. 6. October 1, 1942.