New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-02-21
OBITUARY..
COMMODORE STEPHEN cHAMPLIN.

COMMODORE STEPHEN CHAMPllN.
Commodore Stephen Champlin of the United
Navy died at his residence in Buffalo yesterday
morning. He was the last survivor of the commanding
officers engaged in the battle OF Lake Erie He
was born at South Kingston, Rhode Island
where Commodore Perry was born, on the 18th OF
November 1888. His father was Revolutionary
veteran, and his mother sister OF Perry's
father. Champln first went to sea- as common sailor,
at the age Of lG When he had been promoted
through all the grades OF mercantile seamanshp, aud
was captain OF a ship sailing from Norwich Connecti-
cut. In May, 1912. he appointed sailng-master
in the United States navy and was placed in command
OF a guuboat under Commodore Perry at Newport lie
WAS aerward appointed TO command the Scorpion, and
engaged with that vessel IN the battle OF Lake Erie be
fore he was years old Next TO the OF Perry that
OF Champn IA most closely associated with the glory
Of greatest naval triumph, the gallant young com
nauder having the honor fire the first shot and the
last shot OF the battle the American side When the
British and American fleets came together the Scor-
pon fanked the flagship lawrence upon the
spectively 32'pound and i2-pound shst.
r snert on account Of distance champn answered by
shot from the Scorpion and the fight soon after became
But see that silver wreath o. curling smoke
Cbaaplu .i6 rapid and steady eye,
Sends back IN thunder bold reply"
its pIace near the Lawrence which ridded with shot
and finally disabled throughout the entire engagement
had struck their colors, the Little Belt and
the Chippewa, which were to the extreme leeward of
commander OF the Trppe gave chase Both the vessels
were oyeraken and In capturing tho Little Belt, at 10
O'clock at night. the final shot was fired from the
Scorpion Champln afterward placed IN command
OF two OF the captured prize ships, the Queen
Charlotte and the Detroit In the spring OF 1914 ne
commanded the Tigress, and biOckaded, with
Capt. Turner in the Scorpion, the port OF Mack
mac. They crused for some months IN tho service,
cutting OF the supplies OF the British garrison, but
both the vessels were surprised ana captured
carly in September. by party OF Indians ana Brltsn
The party fell upon the Tgress hrst while AT anchor
near shore o'clock in the evening OF sept IL was
intensely dark and the enemy were within 90 yards be-
fore discovered. They were received WIN "a healy
fire. but the vessel quickly boarded by over;
whelming numbers and captured her force being only
about 80 men while tho attacking party numbered 100
Chanplin was painfully injured by canistershot IN
the thigh, that he never fully recovered
to the day of his death. In the year lsi6, he
Porcupne but could engage In but little
active service VI his wound. In ls45 he
ordered 10 the steamer Michigan and continued in com
mand until 1919 or 1850 During his later years he
honOrs OF weearned reputation, ana In good general
health though s suffering from the wound received IN
lsi-nearly 90 years ago In person, Commodore Cham
plin stout and Of medium hight, with white hair
and nearly full white whskers, cut away Just enough
show a decisive irmlyset mouth-a high forehead, and
"a clear eye.
was the laat prominent survivor, respects
the remarkable In the history either OF this country
Great Britain IL was the first encounter between
American and English eet In regular battle, and the
British navy had never before known the humiliation
OF losing entire squadron. The importance Of
the engagement also saving the North West Territory
OF the war hardly be overestmated.' Gratitude
and patriotism have ever been ready To honor each com
mander. officer, or seaman engaged In that great sea
ght but the memory OF except that OF Perry him
romantic INTEREST," than that Of the gallant young
captain OF "a, who opened tho battle and closed H.