The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-03-26
For the Union.
The Respected and Lamsmisd " Old Commodore %
THE LATE COMMODORE WIN. M GRANT

For the Union
The Respected and Lsmsnisd "Oid Commodore -
THE LATE COMMODORE WIN. M. CRANE.
| Full of years and honors, and having the esteem
Of all who knew him, one OF those veteran sesmsn.
upon whose deeds and character the navy nov
lives and enjoys the favors Of the country, has been
suddenly Withdrawn from among u.s. brief
sketch of his services, while il will afford the best
example to the navy officer Of the present day, Of
the way to attain place like his in mems regard,
will also best speak his eulogy.
Commodore Crane entered the navy in Nav,
1885, was Immediately attached to the frigaie United
States, under Com. Barry served in her in the
West Indies during the war with France, and went
in her TO Europe when she carried out he commits
sioner who negotiated the peace with that country
He soon after joined the Chesapeake, under Com.
Morris, and remained in that ship until her return
70 inc United States. Afier remaining two or three
months a. acting Of Of the ships at the
washington navy-ysrd, he was, in July, 1908, or
sered acting second lieutenant OF the Vixen schoon-
er, commanded by Capt Smith In her, he shared
close blockade Of Tripo, and conflicts with the bat
teres and vessels Of that port. He was made com
mander OF one Of the three gunboats that were cap
tured on the I'd Of August, 1884, and in her, on the
9TH, he took prominent part 10 the attack the nine
gum eastern battery In this conflict two ofhis men
killed, and his own life nearly lost by the ex.
plosion Of the gun-boat commanded by Lieutenant
Caldwell; he was thrown senseless upon the deck,
and had his face and hands much injured
He accompanied Capt. Smith with other officers to
| the "Syren" brig, in 1905, and from her was or
dered to the "Constellaton." After the settlement
| of the difficulties with Tuns in that year, he was
| ordered to the command Of the "Hornet," small
sloop Of GO tons. In her, whilst aground under
Cape Bon, in Africa, he displayed the energy and
| skill for which he distinguished. He kept
part Of the crew employed with muskets in defend
ing the vessel against the Arabs, and the remainder
in tightening the vessel TO float her. All the guns
were thrown overheard, but 80 careful was he TO
sling and buoy, them that he Afterwards returned
and recovered them all.
He returned to the United States in this vessel in
1906. In the succeeding year he was ordered sec
ond lieutenant Of the Chesapeake; and when that
vessel struck to the Leopard he Indignantly broke
his sword and threw it overheard. He was AFTER
wards made first lieutenant Of that unIucky shin
under the gallant Decatur. He remained in her
till 1911, when he was ordered to command the
"Argus," afterwards transferred to the Nautilus"
at sea, soon aftcr the commencement, ,Cthe war in
1912. He was captured in July, and being sent to
Halifax prisoner, was soon ex hanged. He was,
In short time, appointed TO the John Adams, and
whilst preparing her for sea (being nearly ready
he was ordered with his crew to Lake Ontario
Great exertions were required on this station, and
the abilities of Captain Crane were Of signal service
to Com. Chsuncey. He remained here till the
peace.
In 1915, he joined the "Independencen line-of-bat
tic ship as captain. On her return from the Medi-
|
to the Constellation, and thence to the frigate United
States, in which ship he returned home after con-
inued service of four years.
In 1929, he commanded at the Portsmouth navy
yard; in 1925, at that Of Boston; in 1927, he was
appointed to the Mediterranean squadron; in 1890,
he returned to the United States; in 1892 was again
appointed to the command of the Portsmouth navy
yard, which command he reinquished in 1910 on
account of i'll health. In Is4l, he was appointed
hnrea,, Of ordnance and 6,drnaranh, H. In. -.
refused an order, and had more service
than any officer of the navy. strict disciplnarian,
and fearless in the discharge Of his duty he enjoyed
the confidence and respect of the service in an emf
nent degree. The law his guide; from his
youth up he had obeyed it; for during his AZ years
of service he was court maralled accused.
So lived man, who, in service Of nearly half
a century, seems to have known no rest. Worn
with the tolls of Office, he yet died at his post He
has at last gone to his rest, leaving name deeply
craven in the memory of his brethren in arms, and
standing fair on the page which will record the
events Of his time For some weeks previous to
his death, Commodore Crane had directed his at
ention to the affairs of another world and, although
we feel sorrow at his loss, "sorrow not as with
out hope" and, trusting in the mercy of God, we
hope and we believe that his rest is "with the spir
its Of just men made perfect"
To his widow--his nearest and most faithful
friendwe offer this tribute Of respect for one whom
we knew well, respected, and admired in the high
est degree.
Since the above was in type, we have received
note from friend:
"Whilc in command of the Mediterranean SQUAD
ron, Commodore Crane was knighted Cor rather,
knighthood was offered to him) by the king Of
Spain in consideration Of his great respect for the
laws Of Spain, in his upright conduct in relation
the Bonapartes Az the commodore could not ac-
cep il was at his request, conferred ON old Lodies,
Of Mahon. Il was, II recollect, the order of the
grand cross of Charles ILL.,"
DOLAND.-The undersigned, Polish political
Il refugees, residing in the city Of New York,
having been informed that Gaspar Tochman IL col
Letting subscriptions for the purpose of forming a
society called the "Polish-Sclavonian !" and that he
is about to apply to the legislature for charter for
said society, desire to inform the American public