The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1870-07-19

Admiral Dahlgren entered the service near
ly iorty-five years ago, and soon TUNED espe
cial attention to the study of ordnance and
sunnery. To these branches of the service
he devoted himself with answering fidelity
throughout his entire life. While VET n lieu
tenant, he invented the light twelve. pounder
boat howltzer and gun-carriage, which bear
his name, and by this achievement at once es.
'aoiished his reputation as an ordnance off.
inments and practical ability. As
reward Tor this invention, he was assigned
to ordnance duty, and by special act of Con-
Sress was allowed to draw the pay of the next
grade higher than that which he actually held
by commission. We believe this is the only
case in which such an honor has been con-
ferred upon United States naval officer
Awaiting himself of the facilities he enjoyed
in his new post, Dahlgren began experiment.
ing vita large guns, and soon obtained the
permission OF the government to build nine
inch and an eleven-inch shell gun. He was
successful in both Of these attempts also, and
so perfect was his plan of construction, that
the guns which he had only intended to throw
shot as well. He also introduced new pivot
carriage, on which to mount his eleyen-inch
gun. He commanded the Plymouth, the first
vessel which ever sailed with nine-inch broad.
side and elevcn-inch pivot guns. He also
made improvements in our shrapnel shot, and
prepared most complete tables of ranges and
sights for all classes of naval guns, and, in
deed, it would be difficult to estimate or emu
merate all the Improvements he introduced In
naval Ordance, for there is little connected
with that branch OF the service which he did
notseek to render. better than he found it. As
brother officer said, in speaking OF him:
lie reduced the mathematics Of gun making
to the simple rule of thumb, so that any one
could make gun or shot by following his di-
rectons."
Admiral Dahlgren was thouehtf,ll student.
but he was also good manager oil men, and
had the reputation oil getting better returns
OF work from band OF artihcers than apy
other ordnance officer IN the service. His dis
tlnsuished services in the ordnance depart
ment gained for him the reward of vote of
thanks from Congress, and promotion to the
grade of ear-admilal upon the reor uization
OF the navy.in 1863. His principal command
during the war was that OF the south Atlantic
6ioekadlng squadron, operating against
Charleston. In this capacity he constantly
MADE MS headquarters on one or the other Of
tie monitors, and was always found i'm the
leading iron-clad whenever an advance was
made. In passing from one vessel TO another
IN an open boat, as be frequently did in
nghf, he was often in imminent risk OF de-
struction; but at such times be seemed 10
heed the enemy's shot as little az he did those
OF his own guns at the experimental battery
he had established at Washington. 1t was
while in command of this squadron that he
met Gen. Sherman after his march TO the sea,
and subsequently aided that officer in taking
Savannah.
In personal appearance Admiral Dahlgren
was of medium height, of slight but wiry
build, with clear grey eye OF remarkable
penetration. He was all his life student
and to stranger his manner was often some
what reserved; but with his friends he was a
Tree and agreeable converser, and especially
delighted to talk of his profession with ali
who could impart, or desired to receive in
formation. Since the war he served a full
term OF two years as the commandant of the
South Pacific squadron, and upon his return
was again made chief of ordnance. He was re-
lieved of the duties of that position at his own
request, and assigned to the command OF the
Washington yard, where he could still pursue
his experiments IN gunnery.
Admiral Dahlgren had three sons in the
war, one OF whom, Uric, gained considerable
distinction as colonel of cavalry, meeting
with a hero's death in a raid near Richmond.
The admiral married his second wife some
live years ago, and leaves by her two or three
sderaDIe PorIon 0f lis ME at sea, he was al
ways a great sufferer from sea-sckness, so
that he has been known to have, from this
cause, headache for twelve months continu-
ously. He never, however, allowed his per.
sonal discomforts to influence him In his in
tercourse with his officers, to whom he was
always the strict commander, but at the same
time the courteous gentleman. His name
will be remembered and hOnored as long as
we cherish the memories of distinguished ma
val officers.