The New York herald., 1870-08-18
OUR AVY.
Affected by the Change-Eketches
Of tho Officers.

The recent death Of the Admiral OF our Navy
David G. Farragut, has naturally excited good
deal OF interest and speculation among the naval
officers OF the line regarding his successor. AS
Congress did not pass at last session any law
abolishing the rank Of admiral and vice admiral, to
take effect after the death Of the present incum-
bents those positions still exist, and the vacancy
occasOned by the death Of Admiral Farragut is to be
filed by appointment by the President when con.
1rmed by the Senate. 1t may be possible that the
President viii not appoint successor to the noble
'Od Salamander' until Congress again meets, but
such course is not likely to be adopted. The pro-
motions will doubtless be made as usual.
Vice Admiral David D. Porter is unquestionably
the only officer likely to be elevated to the highest
rank In our navy. His appointment Is so sure that
1t Is useless to speculate on any other possible can.
ddates. The common voice OF the navy, as well as
that of the nation, dictates the appointment of the
gallant Vice Admiral, who unites the vigor OF man.
hood with wide and varied experience as o sclen-
tifc officer, gained during the most exciting and
most brilliant epoch OF our naval history. Presi-
dent Grant, with his knowledge OF the re.
cord Of the leading officers Of our navy, Will not have
O second choice. His appointment viii surely
confirm the silent selection Of the service and Vice
Admiral David D. Porter Will become the head OF the
navy. With this view 1t will be interesting to our
readers to recall the principal events Of
VICE ADMIRAL PORTER's LIFE.
David D. Porter, son of Commodore David Porter
one OF the heroes Of the infant navy Of the United
States, who swept the Pacific or British merchant
ships and whalers, while commanding the frigate
Essex, and who made the splendid fight in the Bay
of Valparaiso against British squadron was born
In Pennsylvania about 1872. He served with his
father in the West Indies and after receiving prac
tcal rudimentary education he entered the navy as
midshipman, from lis native State February 2,
1920. In 1880 he was attached to the frlgate
Constellation, which was sent to the Medlter.
ranean, In which squadron he served until 1885,
being subsequently attached to the frigate United
States and the ne-ofbatte ship Delaware. In 1887
he was made passed midshipman, and ordered the
year after to the coast survey He became lieute-
nant February o. 1S41 and again ordered In the
frlgate Congress to the Mediterranean in ls43-S
From this period TO 1861 he performed active service
abroad and In the Home squadron participating
gallanty In the naval operations III the Mexican war;
when he engaged In the two attacks on Vera Cruz
ana one on Tuspan, and one at Tabasco. On shore
he was equally at home, as he joined the fights at
Tamutee and Cninon On the conclusion OF the war
he was again ordered on coast survey duty; and
subsequently he commanded the United states mail
steamer Georgia, of the Panama route, in which po
sition he made host OF friends now leading citi.
zen sot California. He was promoted TO the rank
and brilliant career began. In that month he was
placed In command OF the frigate Powhatan, flag
ship OF an expedition to reinforce Fort Sumter, and
after the surrender Of that work. which he was un-
able to relieve, lie sailed for Fort Pickens, and was
able to put ashore in small boats, through heavy
surf, companies OF regular troops, who saved that
important work TO our government After this he
was ordered North to oversee the preparation of a
mortar notlla designed to aid the operations
OF Rear Admiral Farragut In the reduction
Of Forts jackson and 81. Philip, constituting
iron-clads, Of the city of New Orleans. His
services there were Of the greatest value the COM
manding officer OF our naval expedition Rear Ad.
mlRl tagragut After six days u CONTINUOUS bom-