Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1888-11-01
DEATH or oohM4NDgR BAKER.
A Brilliant Naval officers Uncx.
pected Demtse-.The Deceased Well
KNOWN Hero.

N HsfbEthuL NhVhA ottlcGrsN NmSTs
pected Demtse--IThe Deceased Well
KNOWN Nerca
Commander s. Hanaton Baker, q. 8.
N, died Tuesday after q protracted iii.
ness Of fever. A telegram from Norfolk,
Va, bearing this sad information was re-
celved Tuesday by Albert G. Osborne,
deputy clerk Of the peace, q bgotber-in.
law OF the deceased. His death occurred
at st. Vinoent's Hospital, near Norfolk,
where he was tsken when his illness be.
came serious. No further details Of the
brilliant naval officers death are given,
but from previous advices II Is thought
that hiR death waa sudden and mex
pected. Commander Baker, after being
detached from the United States Naval
Academy, Indianapolis, about four years
ego, was placed on waiting orders, and with
his family came to this city aud apsnt
about year. He was then ordered to
Chilli for special duty and remained at
this station for over two years. Several
weeks ago ne WIS ordered home and di.
rected 10 bring his vessel tothe navy yard
at Ban Francisco for repairs. The com.
mander arrived at that port few wee ks
ago, suffering with an attack OF inter.
mittent or maleriaI fever which, how
ever, was of SO mild form 80 to cause
no anxiety.
Mrs. 8. Fl. Baker and her son, and
Mrs.. Osborne, her mother, at ths request
OF the commander, started abort eix
weeks sgo for San Francisco TO ION the
conn dsr, wi sl,a ntsnlion OF yesid.
". tAars 1ugi # q least
while the latter official duties detained
hin In the California metropolis, The
commanders family had gotten but few
hours on the journey westward when a
dispatch reached Wilmington, directing
them TO remain here, as the officers III.
ness had become more serious, and at his
request he was ordered TO Fort Monroe on q
sickleave The commander and his family
about 10 days after the latter's arrival in
California, started on an eastward trip
across the continent and landed In Phila.
delphia after about q weeks Journey.
The patient was worn and weakened BY
his long journey, but his condition q,
this time was not considered 90 alarming.
After passing the night in Philadelphia
Mr.. Baker and his family proceeded to
Fort Monroe, where he remained until
the time OF his death. Letters from Mrs.
Baker to her brother, A. G. Osborne, dur.
ing their stay at the marine barracks on
the Chesapeake, spoke of the commanders
condition without expressing any anxiety,
as he was supposed to be improving or al
least was no worse. The exact nature OF
his illness is not known nor have ans
arrangements for the funeral been de.
cided upon.
The serious nature Of Commander
Baker'a illness wes in large measure
due TO the long and tedious voyage NJ
tue Pacific befnye reaching San Francisco.
His vessel the Monongahela, was stationed
ht CcqGimbo, Chill, and was ordered to
Ban FIaaelsco for repairs. The vessel was
hut little mora than disnlantIed hulk,
all the machinery having been removed,
end her sailing qualities being very poor,
the voyage occupied 80 days. The un.
fortunate commander was in poor health
at the commencement Of the voyage, and
was, naturally, much worse after this LONG
and tedious journey,
Commander Baker was A yesra of age,
and was born on the Eastern Shore OF
Maryland, near ohesteztown. He On,
tered the Naval Academy ct An,
AaPVli9i VI september ZHtn, 1901
aud was graduated in November
1864. Was appointed ensign November
lse, 1865; master, Decem beE LIST, 1866
lieutenant, March 18th, 1868; lieutenBnt
commander, March 26sh, 1869. subse
quently he was promoted TO the rank o.
commander, and was afterwards assigned
professional duty az the naval acad smy
lie YVES an able scholar, and thorough
nav!sssor and commander. From hi
extensive travels while in active sefvic,
he acquired vast fund Of interesting in
formation which, combined with natura
intelligence and cordial manners mad,
him al agreseble companion and valuet
friend. Rio had large oiroie Of aeaGaint
auces in this city, who deeply depiute BIZ
sad death. He leaves wife and enc ron
nged IS yeara.
The body OF Commander Baker we
sent to Annapolis, yesterday for intesment
The naval officers and crews Of Oh
station, together with the marine battalion
escorted The remains to the station.
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