The National tribune., 1890-11-27
REAR-ADMIRAL Gibson.
Another Naval Hero Passes Avar.

Rear Admiral Oliver s. Gibson. U. s. Navy,
retired. died at his residence, in Philadelphia,
Pa on the morning Of Nov. 20, aged 50 years.
He was born in western Ohio Jan. Is, 1910,
but entered the service from Indiana, being
appointed Midshipmau Nov. /, 1926.
He was under instruction about eight months
at the Philadelphia Navy-yard School. and
made his first cruise in the sloop-o war John
Adams in lS27, :. in the West Indies, compet-
ing the cruise in the same squadron in the
sloop Falmouth 1929 80 aud the schooner
Grampus, 1881. =, when he returned home,
and was promoted TO Passed Midshipman April
Is, 1882.
In June. 1882, he Joined the 7l-gun ship
Delaware and made three years cruise in
the Mediterranean Squadron, and on returning
home was stationed for year at the Norfolk
Navy yard.
March 3, 1887, he was promoted to Lieuten-
ant, and made cruise TO the BraZils IN the
sloop Fairfield, returning home in 1910. In
1871, =, he was in the sioOp Marion, West India
Squadron and l-i3, a, in the slOOp Saratoga,
Brazil Squadron.
During the Mexican war he commanded the
schooner Refer. in tho gulf of Mexico, and in
1913 20, was al the Norfolk Navy-yard.
After tour OF special duty he was ordered
In 1852 10 the steam-frigato POwhatan, and
made cruise in the East Indies under Com
mOdOre Perry, and was with that officer on the
Japan expedition, and present when the first
treaty with Japan was signed. In $3.50 he was
promoted to Commander Sept. II, and was
placed in command Of the storeship OF the
squadron, returning home in 1857.
From lSj7 TO 1850 he was commanding the
Naval Asylum at Philadelphia, and when the
rebellion began was placed in command OF the
gunboat Mount Vernon. OF the North Atlantic
Blockading Squadron, stationed IN the Potomac
and James Rivers for time, and afterwards
along the Hattcras Coast. While on the Hat
teras Station the Mount Vernon was the means
Of saving the huge transport ship Mississippi.
which was run aground on Frying Pan ShOal
1t was believed desiguedly, by the treachery
OF her pilot The vessel formed part OF the
expedition to New Orleans, and had on board
l,500 troops, besides Gen. Il. L. Butler and his
staff, and was hauled off safely by tho Mount
Vernon, sufficiently uninjurcd to enable her 10
continue her voyage safely.
While blOckading Wilmington Commander
Gibson run his vessel in 80 close under the guns
OF Fort Caswell that he could hear the challenges
Of the srntrics in the work. and cut ont and
destroyed light-ship that the rebels had fitted
up for gunbOat; she was fitted for a battery
Of eight guns, and would have been put in com
mission in a few days 20 cruise against our
commerce.
When the new grades In the Navy were an.
thOrzcd By law IN 1862 enough vacancies were
created TO promote him to Captain, July To-
1862, and he was given command Of the MOhi-
can and sent on a special cruise in chase Of the
Alabama, which lasted until late in 1863.
He next commanded the Santiago dc Cuba
1861. %, aud took part in both Of the attacks
on Fort Fisher under Admiral Porter, in De-
cembcr. 1864, and January, 1865. He com
mandcd the Third Division in both engage
ments, aud did so well in covering the landing
Of the troops and handling his division in ac-
ton, that he was recommended by Admiral
Porter for promotion.
lie was promoted to Commodore July %
1866, aud commanded the Naval Station at
League Island, Philadelphia, from 1861 until
May, 1870 June 10, 1870, he was promoted to
Rear Admiral, and ordered 10 the European
feet, which he commanded until he was placed
on the Retired List January IL, lo7l, on reach
ing 81 years Of age.
Since that time he resided in Philadelphia
his home being at No 1929 Chestnut street.