New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-03-02
CHANCES HERE AND THERE.

vice-Admirai Stephen c. Rowan or Paddy Rowan
as he nichnamed by his old classmates, OF wnom
only two-Rear Admirals Oliver 8. Glisson and MO
iarcton sinitharc living, has been placed on inc
retired list at HIS own request with the fun pay OF ms
grade, $1,000 year. This action was taken unaef
the provisions OF special act OF Congress Of Deem
Der 90 1885, authorizing bis retirement on full pay 81
any time designated BY himself The vacancy on me
active list made by Vice Admiral Rowans retirement
viii not be ncd by promotion otherwise Is unoer
the Act Of March 3, 1883, Il Is provided
That vacancies occurring 10 the grades OF Aami'i "
vice Admiral shall not be filed by promotion or IN any
other manner and that when the onces OF said saac'
shall become vacant the grade tsef shall cease 70
There is n bill, however, called the Cowlo p'i''
pending In Congress which provides for the conunn-
ance OF the grade of Admiral anG vce-Admirai, ou'
a. s sSc has been sosso no
this year. But so long as vice-Admirai ROWAN ~
no viii be known by that title.
with the exception Of Rear Admiral T. o. selfruse'
Yice-Adniral Rowan is the oldest ocer In the navy
He was born in Ireland on December %, 1900 s"o
appointed midshpmau FROM Ohio on feorusr,
10, 1926. AZ there was no naval academy AZ 'na'
day, young Rowan was sent to the sloop-orNai
vinccnnes on the Pacific where he began his mental
and physical education for the service Which he nom
orcd afterward by his conscientious application 10
HIS duties his bravery, and his unwavcring ioyss
TO the flag. He served with distinction In the "a
cinc Squadron from 1s46 TO 1s46 then being leu
tenant, and took active part in the war with Aex
Il H suso npsr naval and sso
q landing party which made successiul ATTACK un
the Mexican outposts near Mazaan and was e1s s,
two Glcer of the sloop-ofwar Cyane when she po"'
barzed Guaymas.
awhere DO livei' man in . streetcar was
heard to say the other day to a companion. - UP
in the dynamite district Don't know where that
ls4 m ROCK
blasting is In progress there continually, and II
were not for pretty vgilant police surveillance,
believe the greedy contractors would blow down
ten buildings for every they put up. Occasion
ally some more than usually careless blaster gets
shattered 10 pieces but II Is always poor iaborer
the contractor so we derive little satisfaction
from the catastrophe The temptation TO put In
big charge is great, acknowledge, for boring The
rocks IS expensive operation, but blasters ought
to be compelled 10 take out license and deposit
security give bonds TO indemnity people whose
property Is injured who are hurt by flying stones
Travel on the surface roads is slow up there, tell
you. About every two blocks your car carriage is
stopped by dirty Italian with red rag tied TO a
pole. You walt for time, hear a big explosion or
two, dirt and logs fly in the air, and then pro-
coed In imminent danger OF falling stones third
discharge, which the careless not expecting
Only to Be s'Spgsd i,'ie further on by similar opera
IL is interesting
He had been promoted TO commander when the Civil
War began, and was ordered 10 the command Of
tho steamer Pawnee. The first naval action OF the
war occurred when his vessel attacked the Rebel
batteries at AcQua Creek Soon after this ho par
cpaied in the attack upon and capture Of the forts
and garrison at Harrison Inlet. In the combined
attack OF the army and navy forces against Roanchp
Island February g, 1862, Rowan commanded tho
naval ioalla After the ISLAND captured he drove
the enemy back into Albemsrle Sound, where, on
February TO- the forts and steamers opened fro upon
him. Boldly and steadily he pressed on and so dis
mayed the rebels that they abandoned thor works,
which, with their entro feet, captured or de-
struyed For distinguished gsilantry Rowan was
promoted to Captain on July TO- 1862, and then
commodore on the day. lie commanded ne
naval forces at Newborn " C., the New lronsnts
of Charleston, and led many other engagcmonts.
lie was commissioned Vlco-Admiral August 10,
1870, and has bccn shore leave ever since.