The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-02-14
'DAVIDD.PORTERD DEAD
Last Of the Great Sea Heroes
Strikes His Flag.
The NAVY LOSES IT'S CHIEF.
He served sixty-Two Years-His Glor.
ious Achievements During the
Rebellion Literary Success.

0uCCSSBs
WASHINGTON CRY, Feb. 13.-Admiral David
D. Porter died this morning. Death was very
sudden. II occurred at his residence here, and
was the result of fatty degeneration of the
heart, with which he Ind been affected since
last sum mer. His death was calm and reace-
ful. When DR.. Wales left him at O'Clock last
night his condition was about the same as it
had been for several weeks past, and there were
no indications that medical services would be
needed before the doctors regular visit this
morning The nature Of the disease made II
dangerous for Admiral Porter to lie on his back,
20 he was accustomed TO rest sitting upon a
large sofa with his back and head supported by
pillows
The admiral awoke at Cos this morning and
took his nourishment a. usual. He afterwards
fell into light sleep, and gave no indication
Whatever that the end was SO near at hand. At
so'clock the admfrars son Richard, who slept
By his side, noticed change In his fathers con-
ditlon He was breathing with difficulty and
seemed to be choking. The household was at
once aroused, and DR.. Wales sent tor. The pa
tents pulse grew fainter and fainter, and at
S:l5 O'Clock ceased to beat. At that hour he
gasped and expired without word
DR.. Wales reached the house almost fmme-
diately after being notified, and applied all the
FcstDratfves known TO science, but TO no effect.
Word was at once sent To the secretary OF the
navy, and the flags on the White House and
other public buildings were placed at haIf-mast.
Secretary Tracy promptly visited the family and
conferred with them in regard to funeral ar
rangements. 1t was settled that the funeral
should be marked with the highest military
honors, and the intermcnt should be at Airing
ton National Cemetery.
A large number OF people in Official life called
At the house this morning and left messages of
sympathy for the family. kilograms OF condol-
ence were also received from prominent people
from all over the country.
The president was informed of Porter's death
and sent a message to the family. lie subsc-
quently sent message to congress, notifying
that body of the death, and in the afternoon is
sued an executive order closing the executive
department on the day OF the funeral and d.
recting that the flags on all the public buildings
be placed at half mast on that occasion.
Admiral Porter visited the Arlington cemetery
about year ago in company with several MON.
bers OF his family, and selected the site for his
grave at point little way northeast OF the
Arlington mansion, corresponding exactly with
the grave OF General Sheridan on the other SIDE
After selecting 1t he turned to an attendant and
said: "Drivc a stake there. There's where my
body shall rest"
A pathetic incident, In view OF the critical ILL.,
ness Of General sherman, was the visit made by
him to bis old comrade in arms about three
weeks ago. Admiral Porter happened to be
asleep at the time, and General sherman told
the family not to wake him. He left message
OF sympathy, and remarked in q sad tone of
voice: II would rather not see Porter unless
lcould see him as he always was when l met
him." Turning to Mrs. Logan, he said, half
jokingiy, but with tinge OF pathos: al will be
the next one and, perhaps, may go before
Porter does" Then with shrug of his should
ers, he added: anyhow, l think its nothing to
it,tf nx tasy ~ al Ia ts,l ,oh opr ~
David Dixon Porter, the second son OF Com.
modore David Porter, was born in Chester, Pa,
IN 1873. Five generations of his family have
served in the United States navy, and all with
honor and distinction When only II years OF
age he accompanied his father in the American
cruiser John Adams, sent to suppress piracy in
man in the Mexican navy in is2s, his father hay
ing resigned his commission under the United
States government and accepted the position of
commander-in chief of the Mexican naval forces
David d. served on the Guerrero, commanded by
his cousin, Captain David H. Porter who was
killed in an action with the Spanish frigate La
Lealtad In 1897. In 1929 the boy left the Mexican
navy with bis father, and was made a midship-
man In the United states navy, cruising IN the
Mediterranean and serving on the coast survey
years later. He visited Brazilian waters and the
Mediterranean again, and in 1S45 he was ap-
pointed to the naval observatory in Washington,
and in 1916 was sent on secret mission to Hayti
and reported on the state of affairs there. He
served during the entire Mexican war, had
charge of the naval rendezvous in New Orleans,
first as lieutenant and afterward as command
ing officer of the Spitfire. subsequently he re-
turned to the coast survey, and on the discovery
commanded the California mail steamers Pana-
ma and Georgia between New York and the
Isthmus of Panama. At the beginning OF the
rs
to Join the Gulf blockadiug squadron
al Pensacola, and to aid in
re-. enaoac i,, r9rs r,cxens on April =, isol, ne
he was placed in command OF the mortar fleet,
consisting of twenty lone schooners, each carry
Ing lS-inch mortar. and, with five steamers as
conveys, Joined Farragut's fleet in March, 1862,
and bombarded Fort Jackson and Fort ST.
Philip, below New Orleans, from April Is to "a,
1859, during which engagement 10000 bombs
were exploded in the Confederate works. Far
ragut, having destroyed the encmy's feet of
fifteen vessels, left the reduction OF these forts
70 Porter. and they surrendered April Is. 1se2
He assisted Farragnt in all the latters opera
tons between New Orleans and Vicksburg,
where he effectively bombarded the forts and
enabled the fleet TO pass in safety. Informing
the secretary of the navy of the surrender OF
Nlcksburg, Admiral Porter writes: 1.-The navy
has necessarily performed a less conspicuous
part In the capture Of Nicksburg than the army;
stu 1t has been employed in q manner highly
creditnblc TO all concerned. The gunboats have
been constantly below Nicksburg in sheiling
the works, with success cooperating heartily
boats have been at work for forty two days
without intermission, throwing shells into all
parts OF the city, even reaching the works i'll
the rear OF Nicksburg, ana in front OF our troops
distance OF three miles / stationed
the smaller class of gunboate to keep the banks
oil the Mississippi clear of guerTilas, who were
assembling in force and with "A large number OF
cannon 20 block up the river and cut off the
transports bringing down supplies, reinforce
ments. and ammunition for the army Though
The rebels on several occasions built batteries,
and with large force attempted 10 sink Ut cap
tGre the transports, they never succeeded, but
were defeated by the gunboats with severe loss
making efforts 10 repair the Indianols, which
they had captured, Commander Porter fitted an
Old scow to look like one of his turtle gun
Beats, with two canoes for quarter boats, a
smokestaek of pork barrels, ana mud furnaces
IN which tire was kindied This was called the
"Iurreted Monster" and set adrift with no one
on board. A tremendous eannonade from the
Contedesate batteries tailed TO stop her, and the
authorities at Vicksbure hastily destroyed the
iaalaroa, while the supposed monitor drifted
Tor an hour amid rain oil shot before the en-
envy discovered the trick. In July Commander
Porter WIS ordered with bis mortar hotilia to
Fort Monroe, where he resigned the charge of
squadron, as acting rear admiral, in September.
lsea lie improviscd navy yard at Mound
tts increased the number of his squadron,
winch consisted Of leavessels. and in cooperation
Win General Shermans army. captured Arkan-
sas Post IN January, 1858 For his services at
Niekshurg Porter received the thanks OF con-
gress and the commission of rear admiral, dated
Juls |, lstsA Soon afterward he ran past the
batteries of VicSshurg and captured the eonied-
crate ports al Grand Gull, which put him into
communication with General Grant, who on
May IL by means OF the fleet, placed himself IN