Talk:Charles W. Van Rensselaer

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This article might be an example of WP:Coatrack. 95% of the article describes a shipwreck, but doesn't mention the subject of the article at all. Especially, the description of the shipwreck does not mention what first officer Van Rensselaer did while the ship was in trouble. The shipwreck itself is described at its proper article SS Central America. Kraxler (talk) 14:40, 10 January 2013 (UTC)

There should be a bit of an improvement. I am getting the impression that it really isn't the sacrifice and heroism that establishes notability. If two people - each saved a baby from a burning building, Neil Armstrong would would pass the notability test over the bagger at Piggly Wiggly?

Please state any reason why this person is notable under the Wikipedia guidelines. See WP:Notability (people). Kraxler (talk) 14:25, 14 January 2013 (UTC)

Maybe it takes a sentimental fool like me to interpret someone sacrificing their own life to save others as "notable"...JGVR (talk) 19:22, 14 January 2013 (UTC)

WP:BIO1E "...If the event is highly significant, and the individual's role within it is a large one, a separate article is generally appropriate."...JGVR (talk) 19:46, 14 January 2013 (UTC)

The role of First Officer Van Rensselaer in the sinking of the ship can not be ascertained, except his physical presence. The article is not much more than a WP:COATRACK for the duplicated info of the sinking of the ship, copied from its own article. Besides, none of the "sources" given mention the subject of the article, except Maunsell Van Rensselaer's genealogy. The person can thus not be deemed notable, IMO. Kraxler (talk) 16:18, 11 August 2013 (UTC)