The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1867-05-11
For the Standard.

RALEIGH. May, 1867.
MEssRs. oRs:-JOHNsoN BLAKEIY,
the Carolina g. Hero of the Seas and the
subject with his principal officers, Lieuts.
Kelley and Tillinghast, Baury and Carr, men
toned N the Poem annexed. was born at
Leaford County of Down, Ireland, in 1871.
When three years of age only, the parents
of Johnson Biakely cmigrated to Charles
ton, S. c., where they resided nearly twelve
months, and then moved to Wilmington,
North Carolina, where engaging in mercan-
tile business for few years his father died,
leaving his widow and children to the care
of Col. Edward Jones, who was also an Irish
man, and brother OF the famous Irish patriot,
William Todd Jones' Col. Jones after fail
ing in business a merchant studied law,
and in Il short time became a distinguished
member OF the bar, and was Solicitor general
of the State. Edward Jones proved a kind
friend and patron to the young sailor. And
it through his generosity that Captain
Blakely received the unusual advantages at
| that early day of good education at the
University of his almost native State, for he
was of the tender age of four years, when he
first came to Wilmington. He was one of
the earliest students of that institution, who
by his gallant conduct bestowed much honor
upon his Alma Mater.
youthful collegiate of nineteen summers was
| appointed in 1900, by President Adams,
mdshipman in the United States Navy
When in few years he cruised under Com.
Prebe in the Mediterranean station. For ex
emplary conduct, assiduity to his duties,
and gallant bearing, he soon won the esteem
of both officers and men. Young Biakely
was ere long promoted to Il Lieutenantcy-
In 1914 he sailed from Portsmouth, Va in
command of the U. s. sloop of war, Wasp.
1t was on this cruise, while the war was raging
with Great Britain, that the young comman-
der about SO years of age, won renown and
glory from all his countrymen. Many
fierce action lie had with the war-ships of
old England, and was much lauded and
abused in that country, then, as Paul Jones
had been nearly forty years previously. The
British sloop of war Reindeer of 10 guns,
! Capt Manners, and his Majesty's ship Avon,
! Capt Arbuthnot, soon struck the British flag
! to the starrd banner on board the daring
! little Wasp. During the month of August,
| 1914. - this hero of the Seas met and cap
tured fifteen ships from the English. In one
of his prizes, new and beautiful brieantine
called the Atlanta, he placed Mdshipman
, Geisinger, the only one of his crew that was
saved-with dispatches for the Secret ary of
the Navy. Midshipman Geisinger arrived
at Savannah, Ga, Nov. 4th. 1914, and
brought the last authentic intelligence from
the fiery little Wasp. and the brave comman-
der of her gallant crew.
; Capt Bake}y,s brilliant success as com
mantler. his noble and chivalric daring, his
generous character, and his untold and un-
timely fate have thrown halo of interest
around his name, that time itself can hardly
obliterate- AS one of his contemporaries re-
| marked, Blakely never wearied when he had
any undertaking; he would return to it
again and again, and In an engagement, he
would worry with an antagonist with terrier
like tenacity that was almost inVinciblc. So
long as he had a deck he would play the
game out. He had but one way to he whip,
ped, and that was to he sunk while afloat he
remained unconquered-to sink him. alone
could whip him. Fortunately and persever-
ance seems to have been the characteristics
of the man, and like Lord Nelson, could
never see any thing, unless it looked right
And so long as we have nation and navy
the names of Rlakely and his gallant com
rades, Reilly, 1iliinghast, Barry. Carr and
Geisinger the only one of the crew who sur
vived, will I've remembered and revered.
Lieut.. Tillinghast was mainly instrumental
in the capture ofthe British brig Boxer. AnC
Reilly and Baury when young midship
meR, were among the most conspicuous con
riere and the Java.
: Capt. Blakey a short time before his last
cruise, married in December, 1918, Jane, the
) eldest daughter of his fathers old friend Mr.
Cooper, of the city of New York by whom
he left one daughter named Ulnah. In 1915
: the Legislature of North Carolina unani
mously resolved to educate UlnaA Blakely a.
1 the expense of the State; an honor We be
5 iieve never before or since conferred on any
t one; and this was spontaneously done prov
e ing i'll what high estimation and respect tht
/ father was held at the time
Miss Blakeiy was married while quite
|, young to Il gentleman who resided ia the
!. West Indies and died many years since
. | whether she left heirs, or if any, what became
of them the writer of the present sketch i:
e uniformed.
The following Elegy was anonymously pull,
lisheda short time after the loss Of the Wasp
in Massachusetts paper. Tile Herald, ano
was copied into The Eagle, small weekly
: quarto edited by Thomas Jefferson Lemay
OF Raleigh, in the year 1917. Mr.. Lemay
was at that time, as he was for many subse
quent years, one of the editors and proprie
tors of the North Carolina Star newspaper
). The lines taken from the Eagle are now re
n vlscd and amended As an humble tribute to
l. the memory ct one CT the few sons, native 0.
t adopted, OF the Old North State who became
$ distinguished as naval commander.
e The Elegy is patriotic in tone and in ever,
1 way worthy of preservation as an interest
:, ing historical "Reminiscences. 1t is sent tt
g You, Messrs. Editors, for publication, will
l the hope that it may again be copied ant
: perpse,' with national feeling and patriot,
5 pride by all admirers Of the Old North Stat
: as one of the great American republic.
Yours, Font TAYLoRD-
| AN ELEGY
: ON BLAKELY AND HIS COMRADES