Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1869-11-18
sold IrOnsides. -
From the Philadelphia Papers.


The death of Rear Admiral Charles
Stewart, of the United States Navy, has
revived the old feeling of pride in that
arm of the national service for its ex-
ploits in the early days of the Republic.
The old Commodore" as he preferred
to be called, was especially endeared to
the citizens of Philadelphia, the place of
his birth. Until within few years, he
has made frequent visits to this city, and
always received Il warm welcome, from
young as we'll as old. One of the latest
public occasions. of his coming here was
the launch of the great iron-clad war
steamer "New Irensides," to which he
was especially invited. IL had been in
tended to name her the "Ironsides," )" but
at his request the word New" was pre-
fixed, to distinguish the name from the
popular soubriquet, "Old Ironsides," of
his old ship the Constitution
Admiral Stewart was made Rear Ad-
miral July IL, 1862, but owing to his ad-
vanced age the promotion was purely
honorary, and he was placed on the re-
tired list. He entered the service in
March, 179S, and had therefore been con-
nected with the navy for nearly seventy
two years. The oldest of those whom he
leaves behind him are Admirals Shub-
rick, Smith, Stringham and Crabbe, and
CommOdores Salter, Aulick and Latti-
mer, who have been in the navy from
tifty-eight to sixy-three years, Farragut's
connection is little less than fifty-nine.
The Admiral leaves one son-Charles
T.-whO was with him at his death; and
a daughter-Mrs. Purnell, residing in
Dublin. He retained all of his faculties
to the very last, though for several days
previous to his decease he was unable to
speak, and expressed himself by means
of a slate. His peculiar, cramped chi
Biography was as firm and legible to the
last as ever.
HIS FAMOUS EXPLOITS IN THE wARNoS
1912.
When the law of April, 1906, was
passed, recognizing the navy. Stewart
was promoted to a full Captaincy, and
ranked eleventh in the grade, that in
cluded but fourteen. From 1906 to 1872
he was employed in supervising the con-
struction of gunboats. When, in 1872,
the Cabinet contemplated laying up all
our men-of-war, in order to prevent their
capture by England in the imminent
war, Stewart and Bainbridge visited
Washington and opposed the project sue
cessfully by their personal influence.
Stewart was ordered to command the
Constellation (SS,) in September, then
blockaded at Norfolk, near Craney
Island, by a British squadron. He made
preparations for defensive action that
We're highly praised, but was trans
ferred to the Constitution (44.) then
undergoing repairs.
The Constitution sailed from Boston,
December, 1918. She captured the Tic
tou (l4), II letter of marque, and several
merchantmen; returned, was chased
into Marblehead by the frigates Junon
and Teuedos, or Nymphe, in April, 1914,
and afterwards sailed into Boston.
D.. On the 18th of December Stewart left
Boston, in the Old Ironsides for Bermu-
da, where lie made two captures, and
thence to the Bay of Biscay. On the
night of February 20, 1915, he captured
the British ships Cyane and Levant.-
The Constitution had fifty-two guns and
four hundred and seventy men in this
memorable action, while his enemy
mounted fifty-six guns. He was not
raked himself, but raked both of his OPP
ponents, and was ready for action again