The New York herald., 1877-02-09
OBITUARY.
CHARLES WILKES, REAR ADMIRAL UNITED
STATES NAVY.

CHARLES WILKES, REAR ADMIRAL UNITED
STATES NAVY.
Rear Admiral Charles Wilkes, on the retired list Of
the United States Navy, died in Washington yesterday
morning His health had been failing for long time,
and his death was the result OF extreme old uge He
was born the city OF New York In 1901, and re-
ceived q good education In his youth. Through the
influence Of his father. who had served In the navy.
he was admitted TO the naval school and was sent TO
the ship Of instruction then stationed in tho
Mediterranean. He was made a midshpman
on the 1st January, 1878. and appointed to tho
Guerrero, A, which was under the command OF CON-
modore Macdonough. After mcritorous service he
was next appointed 10 tho Franklin, "a Between the
years 1921 and 1926 he passed through the several
grades 70 that OF lieutenant, and was engaged IN
special service III charge OF charts and In:
struinonts. 1880. HIS high professional
astalnnents and his skill as an astronomer
gained hlm great credit. and he vas charged
with the making several surveys OF the which
he successfully executed But the famous OF his
early the exploration OF the South Seas,
the Pacific Archipelago and the Indian Ocean, by
which he gained name for daring and skill which
is sscond to that OF other navigator In his
tive OF the expeditions under his command, entitled
,ha years s !" Iss IN ve Volumes he made soms
valuable additions 10 the literature OF geography and
scionce. His work on ''Me,eorology" IS regarded as
OF tho valuable treatses on that subject Dur
ing the year 1S49 Commander wilkes published in
Phadelphia All account OF Callior
MIA and oregon under the title Of NV estern America"
octavo he still being employed In the Expeditionary
Bureau; and when the navy was increased
under tho of 1855 ne promoted to the rank OF
captain. with commission dating from september
14th During tho next year, 1856. he published IN
New York his ''Theory Upon the Winds" and was en-
gagged upon other works In connection with his bureau
when the rebellion broke out He then applied for
active service. appointed to the command OF the
war steamer San Jacinto and ordered to the West
Indies Tor the purpose OF looking aftcr tho
rebel privatcer Sumter Whilo on this sta
ton Captain Wilkes on November g. 1881, stopped tho
British mail steamer Trent. while on her voyage TO
England, and i0rcibly removed thererom Messrs.
bciious States Engand and France conveying them
as prisoners to Boston. Hts course Of actiou was
loudly appauded by tho people, aud he was made the
recipient OF public banquet at Boston and an ovation
IN New York. Although Congress conferred uDon him
a vote of thanks, his actions were formally but not
heartily disapprovod by the President, and the
captives subsequently handed to England, under
ban Of expatration. When tho navy reorgunlzed
10 1862 Captain Wilkes was promoted to the rank Of
River fleet Congress Subsequently confirmed tho
appointment, to date from July TO- 1862, but
placcd him on the retired list. Later In that year
he was appointed acting rear ADMIRAL and assigned
70 The command Of q special West Indian squad
ron, for the protection OF commerce, his flag being
hoisted over the steamship Vanderbilt While In this
command he effected the capture or several blockade
runners including the English vessel PcterhoE He
subsequently went in chase OF the pirate Shenandoah,
during June 1858, when he relieved Of his com.
mand. This was his last sea service. He was COM
mIssoned admiral on the retired list July 20,
1866.