Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1860-10-23
The Late Commodore skinner.

AHe Adte commodore SKINNER
This distinguished officer died at sailors
hest" his residence, near Staunton, Virginia, on
Inc morning of the 14th instant.
Commodore CHARLES VIM SKINNER was born
in the Chem district of Maine, in April 1889,
and entered the navy as midshipman in January,
1909, haying previously obtained knowledge
OF the practical part of his profession during
several voyages in merchant ship commanded
by his father. The war of 1872 found him an
acting master in the brig ARGUS" in which
vessel he made one or two cruises, and was then
transferred, with her commander, other officers,
and crew, to Lake Ootario, where it was his for
tune to serve during the remainder OF the war.
The well known determination of the enemy
to avoid a conflict on this Lake. except under
circumstances which would ensure to them vic
tory, made it a service of great hardship. The
brilliant victories on Erie and Champlan had
whetted the desire of the officers on Ontario to
share in such honors, and every opportunity was
sought aud every effort made by the gallant
Chauncey to indulge their aspirations, but in
vain. In all this vexations service young Skin
ner, now lieutenant, bore his full part, and
drew from his commander frequent commenda-
tions of his skill and activity.
The war over, Lieut.. Skinner was selected by
Commodore Channcey to serve with him in the
Washington, (74,) the flag ship of the Medter-
rauean squadron. No opportunity having been
afforded to our officers to learn the duty peculiar
to vessels of that class, this was mark of the
high estim alton in which he was held by that |
experienced and able commander, as new duties |
were to be learned and presidents set.
Returning from the Mediterranean, Lieut..
Skinner was stationed at Norfolk, Virginia. |
where be married, in 1920, the estinable lady,
Miss Clara Whitehead, daughter of an Episcopal
clergyman, who, after forty years of happiness
accorded
marriage drew his affections to Virginia, OF |
which State he became citizen.
He commanded, lieutenant, one of the
small vessels of Commodore Porter's squadron,
employed against the pirates in the West Indies
in 1922, and the "Porpoise" schooner in 1924.
In 1927 be was promoted to the rank OF Master
commandment, and the next year was appointed
. to the command of the sloop-of-war "Warren.r
on the Mediterranean station, and In 1929 was
acting captain of the "Java" frigate, bearing the
flag of Commodore Biddle. Returning to the
United States in 1880 be was yariously employed
at the Norfolk navy yard as second in COM
1nand, on the recruiting service, and in com
mand OF receiving ships-until 1885, when he
was appointed to the command of the Fulton"
steamer, having been promoted to the rank of
captain in 1887.
Having performed a tour of duty in command
OF the receiving vessels ssJava,v ''Delaware' and
104l, he was in 1914 appointed to command the
squadron on the coast of Africa, and on his re-
turn, in 1916, was assigned to the command of
the navy yard at Norfolk, but was soon called
from this responsible post to the more import
ant duties OF Chief of the Bureau of Construc-
ton and Equipment in the Navy Department,
the arduous duties of which he continued to dis
charge with assduty and singular ability until
the Oath of February, 1852, when, at his own
request, he wss relieved.
The various and constant duties of which the
above is but an imperfect enumeration, had be-
gun to tell upon constitution never robust, but
he was reluctant to be idle, and undertook at
the Instance OF the Department, the compare
lively light duties of Inspector of Ordnance
which he continued to discharge until 1866,
when, having purchased beautiful residence
near Stanton, Virginia, he returned to enjoy in
the bosom of his family the remaining years that
might be allotted to him.
Few officers have made better use of the
scanty opportunities afforded for self-improve-
ment by an active and arduous profession than
Commodore Skinner. A tenacious memory and
methodical habits enabled him to store his mind
with solid and useful information drawn from
an excellent library, to which he spared no ex-
pense to add the most recent and valuable pro-
auctions of our prolific press. His conversation
al powers were remarkable, and always made
abounded in amusing and instructive professional
anecdotes. The tale of scandal found no favor
with him.
The wiiter of this tribute to the merits of
Commodore Skinner knew him we'll for near q
half century in various relations of life-on the
quarter deck, in the mess room, in the world and
in the social circle. AS an officer his discipline
was strict out not oppressive, exact but not vex
atious and governed always by conscientious
desire to discharge his duty faithfully. In the
social circle be frank and communicative
at the domestic hearth faithful and tender hus-
band, fond father, true and firm friend, and,
above ALL an humble, trusting and submissive
christian. Soon after his marriage he became
COMMUNICATE in the Protestant Episcopal Church
and as such his walk was firm, consistent and
edifying. His charities were large and discrim-
mating, and with failing health he drew towards
his end with the calmness which can result only
from the consciousness of a well spent life.
S.