Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1891-02-21

at Chester, Delaware County, Pa, June
8, 1918; studied in Columbia College,
Washington, d. C in 1924 accompanied
his father, Commodore David Porter, in
the John Adam to suppress piracy in
the West Indies, and was appointed
midshipman in the Mexican navy and
served under his cousin, Captain David
Ii. Porter, in the Guerrero. which sailed
from Vera Cruz in 1927. Porter was APP
pointed midshipman in the United
States Navy in 1929 and Lieutenant in
1s41. In 1s45 he was appointed to the
Naval Observatory at Washington. He
served during the Mexican war and was
engaged in every action on the coast.
He then went to California and COM
manded California mail steamers be-
tween San Francisco and Panama.
At the beg nning of the Civil War he
commanded the steam frigate Powhat-
an at Pensacola. On April -, 1861 he
was appointed Commander and was
placed in command of the mortar feet,
assisting Farragut in the bombardment
of Forts jackson and st. Philip, below
New Orleans; also at New Orleans and
Viclsburg. He became Acting Rear
Admiral in September, 1862, Rear Ad-
miral in 1863 In command of the At
lantic squadron in 1864, he took part in
the bombardment of Fort Fisher at the
mouth of Cape Fear river. Porter re-
ceived the thanks of Congress- for this
service. He was made Vice Admiral in
1865 and on August Is, 1870, was pro-
NOTED to the rank of Admiral of the
navy, which position he has head con-
tinuously ever since. Admiral Porter
is the author of several books and was
the originator of peculiar type of gun
boat of which, however, none have yet
been built.
The President sent the following spe-
cial message to Congress yesterday and
issued general order to heads of Ex-
ecutive Departments:
To the Senate and House Of Representatives
! Tho Admiral OF the navy, David Dixon Por.
| ter. died at his residence in the city OF Wash
ington this morning, at s:l5 o'clock, in the sew
| enty eighth year OF his age. he entered tho
| naval service as midshipman February =. 1889,
and Ind been since continuously in service,
having been made Admiral August - 1870 He
| was the son of Commodore David Porter, one
| OF the greatest OF our naval commanders. His
service during the Civil War was conspicuously
| brilliant and successful. and his death ends a
| very high ana honorable career. His country
men VIII sincerely mourn his less. while they
| cherish with grateful pride the memory of his
| deeds. To officers of the navy his life will con-
| tinue to yield inspiration and encouragement.
| BENJAMIN HARRISON.
| Executive Mansion, February l3, 1851.
To the Heads of the Executive Departments
| In token of respect to the memory OF Admiral
| David ID. Porter. who died this morning, the
| Pres dent directs that the National flag be dis.
played at half'mast upon all public buildings
| throughout the United states until after his
| funeral shall have taken place. and that on the
day OF the funeral public business at the de-
| partments at Washington be suspended
E. w. HALFoRD. Private Secretary.
Executive Mansion, Feb. 10, 1891.
The following order was issued by
Secretary Tracy yesterday afternoon;
The Secretary of the Navy has the painful
duty Of announcing to tho navy OF the country
the death of tho highest onicer in the service.
David Dixon Porter. Admiral OF the navy. died
ut Washington, d. c., ut 10 O'Clock this morn.
ing In the seventy eighth Soar OF his age.
Sixty years OF Admiral Porters life were no
lively devoted to the service OF his country.
The record OF his deeds forms one OF the bright
est pages OF It's history II achievements
while in conmond of the mortar fiOtilia at the
attack of New Orleans for the Mississippi
squadron ut the fall of VicksOurg. and OF the
North Atlantic squadron Ut the capture OF Fort
Fisher, have given him place among the fore
most OF the worlds naval commanders. He
dies lAmented hy the whoie country and his
memory will forever be cherished and held II
honor by the service,
On the day OF the funeral tho Navy Depart
ment viii be closed, the flag will be displayed
at hnlf.mast at all navy yards and stations, and
on board all ships In commission, and seven
teen minute. guns will be fire at uoon from eacf
navy yard. The Navy Department win be
draped and nil officers Of the navy and marine
corpse will wear the badge OF mourning fo'
thirty days.