The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-10-05
o y I r q A n = /.

Rear-AdmiraI r. III. Gregory, u. s. N.
We yesterday announced the death, at the Mansion
House, Brooklyn, Of Rear Admiral Francis H. Gregory;
but the lateness or the which the
ceived precluded the possibility Of giving extended
sketch Of his long, active and useful public career
Admiral Gregory born Norwalk, Conn.,, October
o. 1885, entered the merchant service in March, 1902
and after having escaped from British imprisonment,
warranted a midshpman in the navy by Presi-
dent Jefferson the 10th OF January 1909. His first
service vas board the schooner Revenge COM
manded by Lieutenant o. b. Perry. In March,
1909, ne was transferred to the Ketch vesu-
vius, and went to New Orleans. While serving
on board the vesuvus, and in charge of one Of the
barges near the Balize he surprised captured
English brig OF four guns and thirty men, having on
board one hundred and twenty slaves intended to be
condemned In April, 1871, he promoted to an act
ing MASTER and appointed to command gun vessel No.
1872 attached to the Balize division.
In September, 1871, with only seventeen men 1T for
duty pratical schooners with five and
seven guns each, and rescued large Spanish ship Of
fourteen guns which they had captured, and also
stormed and carried five gun battery on shore which
the pirates had erected for their protection Half the
value Of the rescued vessel and cargo was awarded to
him and his crew for their services
In spring OF 1912 he served Lake Ontario under
Commodore Chauncey, and took part the attack upon
Kingston Here his services recognized by his
ceiving the appointment OF Acting Lieutenant He par
tcipated in the capture OF Little York He had charge
heavy fire. in which he lost large part of his in
killed and wounded He was the commodores flag lieu
tenant.
His services also conspicuous in the attack and
capture George May 81 1873 and in the defence
OF oswego With two small boats and small arms only
ing long eighteen FOUNDER small arms, and a full
by boarding her in open day He also destroyed
brig of war ready to launch from Presque Isle. In
August 1914 while recommending he captured and
Detained prisoner until the close of the with Great
Britain
Without coming hone, be joined one Of the frigatcs
cruising against the hgernes the Mediterranean.
From 1921 to 1929 Lieutenant Gregory commanded the
schooner Grampus, cruising among the West India
Islands for the protection of our commerce against
pirates many OF which he destroyed in boat expeditions
Near the Island of st. Crox he fought and captured the
notorious patical brig Pancha, vessel far superior to
his own in weight Of metal and number Of men.
IN 49, ileu.ehan. urcgory was spoca ssec ~ 70
veying General Lafayette to France and served under
Commodore Morris until the ship arrived there, when
she placed under his command In 1926 he fitted out
64.gun ship at New York for the Greek government,
sailed her to that country In 1898 he was promoted
10 n command and attached to the navy yard at New
York until 1884, when he sent in command of the
Falmouth to cruise in the Pacific; performed full
cruise OF three years. one year in command Of the
station and returned to the United States in 1884 was
in 1885, promoted captain; in 1S4l was appointed
to command the North Carolina "a; in 1s43, placed
the Brazilian station in the frigate Raritan in 1885,
was ordered the OF Mexico and employed in the
blockade of that at the commencement OF the
land, in January, 1s47; in September 1s49, was
dered TO the command of tho squadron upon the coast
OF Africa the Portsmouth, and returned in her to the
United States In June 1882 in May, 1854. was placed
in command of the Boston Navy Yard, and relieved in
February, 1856. From that time until the rebellion
broke out he was vnriously employed temporary
duties When the late began he scventy-two
years old but Notwithstanding his age he was eager to
bo sent TO Secretary Welles however, decming
that he would OF greater service shore, induced
him 10 take charge of Of yards, and subse
oucE;ly appointed him General superintendent Of iron
clads. position which he retained until hs death.
In the of 1912. while employed upon the lakes,
Admiral then Lieutenant Gregory, proposed TO destroy
the British shipping while at anchor by means Of torps-
docs but Commodore Chauncey regarded the plans pro
posed too Hazardous and they were consequently
abandoned. He, however, never abandoned his faith
in tOrpedoes engine Of naval warfare,
and 70 him we are indebted for their
Introduction into navy. In this respect the
Admiral rendered the country inestimabe service lie
superintendent the construction Of the machinery in
vented by Chief Engineer W. W. w. Wood and 10 him
The latter has frequently acknowledged he was indebted
for bringing his torpcdoes into practical use IL viii he
remembered that Chief Engineer Wood invented tor
pedo shell OF simple construction, easy application aud
great destructive power, which he submitted 10 the in
spccion Of Rear Admiral Gregory who aito testing "
by repeated experiments urged its introduction INTO
our Secretary Wclles reposing implicit conn
dence in the Judgment OF the Admiral, gave orders
build suitable boats in order TO test u VA
actual warfare. Al Tins time Lieutenant Cush-
ng arranging plans Ia destroy the rebel ram
AIbemarle. Mr.. woods torpedo brought TO his
notice and without moments hesitation he gave IL the
preference Of all other cxpedents Mr. Wood instructed
him how TO IT, and the result Is well known. This
gallant Cushing in pioke, boat No. J. amid storm OF
shot and she'll while hs cotopsnions fell fast around
torpedo under her, and exploded il with his own hand.
while his boat sinking nder him and finally
went down. The shell made hole six feet IN diameter
through her bottom gnudec and top OF her IRON
mate. She sank immediately. and several men OF her
crew we're killed and wounded.
The Admiral discharged the duties OF his Office within
twelve hours OF the time of his death. For week
he had suffering from darrhTal disorder, and
nesday he became worse until death. which
altogether Unexpected. HIS home al New Haven;
but he always resided NJ the Mansion House when
duty in New York or Brooklyn. He leaves a wne, two
daughters Zone being Mrs Ingersoli and the other
marricd and two sor of the having served in
the navy during the late volunteer officer. Mrs.
Inge,snl was with her father the limo Of his death.
Tho time OF the funeral has not yet been fixed, but
will probably take place 70 when the remains
will be taken 10 New Haven for infeiment. Commo
dora Rinegold. friend OF the Admiral, viii superin
icnd The last obseauies OF the departed hero
Rssrwor MEMORY ~ ADxIRAt GRss.oEy
The following special order In rotation tho death OF
Rear Admiral Gregory has boon issued from the War
Department.
NAVY DEPARTMENT WASHINGTON, Oct a. 1896.
The Department announces to the Navy and Marine
ccrps the death OF Rear Adnirsl Francis n Gregory.
He died IN the city of New York o'clock this
morning, after illness of few hours nj the aga or
seventy seven Though than seventy years age
al the Of the rebellion, Rear Admiral
Gregory immediately applied for active service, and in
July 1891, ordered upon arduons and responsible
duty which. throughout the h discharged with
sgua real and ability and in the closing up Of whch he
was engaged the time of his death after than MY
seven years 81 honorable seryice ia tho cause OF his
country.
q, the New York Navy Yard the day OF his funeral
the Hays he hoisied hslf.mast and thirteen minute
guns he hred nj meridian.
GIDEON wtl.LEs, secretary Of the Navy.
Comedian.
- V.nt.