Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1867-12-21
asar-iamlral john pIake sioas.

|
Rear-Admiral Sloat, of the United
Navy. died at his residence at New
Brighton, Staten Island, on Thursday
last, in the eighty seventh year of his
age. He was one OF the few survivors
OF the old school of officers who lent
lustre to the service in the early days
of the republic, and who maintained
the honor of-the flag afioat and ashore
for nearly three-quarters of century.
Increasing years aud bodily inhrmities
only prevented him from actively par
ticipating in the stirring scenes of the
late war, but throughout he watched
the career of the officers with an un-
surpassed interest aud solicitude, par
taking equally in their citation in vic.
tory and their pain aud chagria in dis
aster. Born in 1850, he entered the
navy as sailing master, the 18th of Feb.
rnary, 1900, but at the beginning of
the following year, in consequence of a
reduction of the naval forces, was hon
orably mustered out. at the begin
ming of the war Of 1872, he was reap
pointed Master in the regular navy.
On the oath of July, 1916, he was com
missioned as Lieutenant, and saw ac-
tive service during the war with Great
Britain, and came out with credit and
honor. In 1920 he made cruise to
the Brazils in the line.o battle ship
Franklin, bearing the blue flag of Old
ITonsides, the present Rear-Admiral
| Charles Stewart. He returned to the
United States in the frigate Congress
Ia 1922 In 1924 and 1926 he command
ed the schooner Grampus. one of Com
modore David Roberts feet IN the
West Indies, when the Commodore
was engaged in extirpsting the pirates
which then frequented those waters,
aud participated in several engag
ments. In 1926 he was made Master
Commandant, and was placed in com
mand of the sloop-of-war st. Louis in
the Pacific squadron, where he served
more than two years. After some years
| of shore service as commander of the
naval rendezvous of New York, he was
promoted to a full captaincy in the
navy, In February, 1887. and placed on
waiting orders. In 1S41 he was place
In command of the Portsmouth Navy
YARD, where he remained three years.
In 1845 he was made Commander-in-
Chief of the Pacific Squadron, where
he remained until late In 1916, flying
] his pennant on the frigate Savannah.
Since that period he has been employ
ed In command of the Norfolk Navy
Yard, on special service, both as super
intendent of the construction of the
famous Stevens Battery at HOboken,
and Superintendent of the United
States mail steamships sailing from
| this port, In which connection he will
be we'll remembered by a host of our
merchants, who met him daily in our
streets, and who could not fail to be
impressed by his active but genial tenn
peIament and his fine business quail
ties. Tne Retiring Board of 1856 plac-
ed him on the reserved list and granted
him indefinite leave. He was made a
Commodore on the retired list IN 1862,
and in July, 1866, was promoted to the
rank of Rear-Admiral on the retired
list. Since 1856 he has been quietly
living at his residence, spending his
closing days in serene repose. Admi-
raj SIoat left many friends behind him
who will deplore his demise, for his
qualities of mind and heart were such
as to endear him to all who enjoyed his
acquaintance.