In one sense out of the usual order of events,—because the date and time of his departure is hidden from those on earth,—we record here the departure of Capt. Asa Eldridge, one of the most gallant sailors Cape Cod has contributed to that noble fraternity. He was born in this town, July 25, 1809, the son of Capt. John, a citizen of repute and renown. He took early to the sea, like all Cape Cod boys, commanded some fine ships, sailing for years in the 'Dramatic line' controlled by E.K. Collins, a Truro man of pluck and vigor. Cornelius Vanderbilt, discovering his ability, induced him to enter his service. He commanded the ''North Star'' on the famous excursion to Europe, with Mr. Vanderbilt and family, which voyage was commemorated by Rev. Dr. Chowles, in a volume of great interest, in which he paid appropriate tribute to the gallantry and skill of Capt. Eldridge. Capt. Eldridge possessed not only self-confidence and daring, but skill and endurance, and the generous traits which are in imagination connected with the true-born, American sailor. Jan. 25, 1856, after a voyage across the Atlantic, in which he successfully competed with a Cunard line steamer, sailed in the steamer ''Pacific'', from Liverpool, England, on a return trip to New York. He was never heard from more. It was a year of unprecedented disaster to vessels; many were foundered, or went down in the gales; the best nautical opinion is to the effect that the ''Pacific'' struck an iceberg, and that all on board met an instant death.