The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1883-10-03
LiSHED TO TIE SHROUDS.
Admiral FnrrnEni's Position M lie De.
scribcd II 10 william Page.

William Page, the artist who painted
the famous portrait Of Admiral Fnragut
in the rigging Of the flagship, which
was subsequently purchased by COM
mltteo Of cltizrns for $4,000 and pre-
Scntcd to tn Grand Duke Alexis, said
to reporter recently at his home near
Richmond Valley, Staten Island:
II wns much int rested in reading the
discussion which arose some months ago
concerning the statement of n naval
officer that Admiral Farragut was not
dashed or tied 10 the rigging while d.
recting the movements Of the fleet dur
ing the engagement from his high posi-
ton on the mast Of the vessel. | can
give the statements of the Admiral him.
self, and think they will settle the ques.
ton. l have often wanted to explain
what Admiral Farragut said to me about
this matter. When he was sitting for
that painting was living at Eagleswood,
n. j., and he came regularly from New
York for the sittings. When they began,
asked him to describe his actual posi-.
ton during the conflict.
"He then explained how he had first
assembled the rigging on one side of the
vessel to give orders to the men below.
He found, however, that the smoke
interfered with his view, and the Off
GERS on deck could not see his move.
ments or motions correctly. While he
was in the rigging he noticed q piece of
shell strike n few feet above his head
and cut away n portion of the maintop,
beneath which he was standing, with his
feet resting on the rope ladder. Glanc-
ing below, he noticed that if he shonld
be wounded or killed, us he merely held
on by his hands, he might roll down the
shrouds overheard, and his body might
rot be recovered owing to the smoke
and quick movements of the handwriting
heet. AS his son was on board, he de.
sired to prevent such result, so that
on finding the smoke so thick rs to in.
tercept his view where he was he dc.
scended to the deck and crossed to the
opposite side, but on his journey across
the deck he found piece of rope, which
was precisely what he wanted, and took
it aloft with him. tying the knot him.
self which fastened him 70 the rigging.
II procured for him piece of rope,
to use in the posing for the painting,
and the knot shown there was the one
made by himself. Probably any sailor
Will recognize it as nautical knot. or
ono likely to be made by seafaring man,
When went to unite it, its formation
puzzled me, and the Admiral himself
had TO undo it.
when he was relating these details
10 me he did 80 without any manner.
isms other than candor and quiet mod.
esty, giving the impression that he
possessed a brave and subdued temper.
ement The Admiral was rather short
IN stature, but was very rare exception
10 artists subjects in that his figure was
OF the exact classic or Greek proportion
called eight heads, meaning that his
head was precisely onc-oighth the length
OF the entire body
There are two of those life.s;vo
portraits in existence. One il in Tho
court OF st. Petersburg, and the otber
is In the possession of Mrs. ]. W Wat.
son OF New York city, a daughter n,
Mr. rage, and whose husband is Treas.
qrer OF the Central Railroad of New
Jersey. VI I'VE"