The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1891-02-18

Admiral David Dixon Porter was born
at Chester, Delaware County, Pa, June
8, 1918; studied in Columbia College,
Washington, d. c in 1924 accompanied
bis 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 ap-
pointed midshipman in the United
States Navy in 1920 and Lieutenant in
1S41. In 1916 he was appointed to the
Naval Observatory at Washington lie
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 ming of the Civil War he
commanded the steam frigate Powhat-
an at Pensacola On April 90, 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; ais ut New Orleans and
Vicksburg He became Acting Rear
Admiral In September, 1869, Rear Ad-
miral in 1853 In command OF the At
iantic 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
1855 aud on August 10, 1870, was pro-
NOTED TO the rank of Admiral Of the
navy, which position he has held con-
tinuously ever since. Admiral Porter
is the author OF several books and was
Che originator Of a 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 a general order TO heads of Ex-
ecutive Departments:
To the Senate and House OF Representatives
Tho Admiral OF th. navy David Dixon Por.
Ter. died at his residence In the city OF Wash.
ngton this morning, AT s:i5 O'Clock, In the sew.
naval service us q midshipman February 1879,
and had been since continuously ia service
having been made Admiral August IL. 1870 lie
Was the son OF Commodore David Porter one
d the greatest OF our naval commanders fIIe
service during the Civil War was conspicuously
brilliant and successful, and his death ends (
very high and h norable car er. His country.
men Will sincerely mourn his loss, while they
cherish with grateful pride the memory OF hia
deeds. TO Officers OF the navy his life wall con.
tinue 10 yield inspiration and encouragement
BENJAMIN HARRISON
Executive Mansion, February "a, 1891.
To the Heads OF the Executive Departments
IN token o. respect TO the memory OF Admiral
David ID. Porter who died this morning, the
Pres dent directs that tho Nation flag be dis.
played at half'mast upon all public buildings
throughout the United states until after his
funeral shall have taken place. ana that on the
day Of the funeral public business nt the de
purtments At Washington be suspended.
r. w. HALFoRD. Private Secretary.
Executive Mansion, Feb. 10, 1891.
The following order was issued by
Secretary Tracy yesterday afternoon:
Tho Secretary OF the Navy has the painful
o. death Of The highest orriccr in the Inc y sSryieey
David Dixon Porter, Admiral OF the navy, died
q Washington, d. O.. at S:l5 o'clock this morn.
hg In the seventy eighth year Of his age.
Sixty years OF Admiral Porters life were &C.
tlyaly devoted 70 the service OF his country
The record OF his deeds forms one Of the bright
e4t pages OF ita history. II s achievoments
Jhtia In commOnd OF the mortar fotilla at the
hataok OF New Orleans for the Mississippi
Equadrnn at the fall OF Vicksburg and OF the
North Atlantic squadron at the capture OF Fort
Fisher, have given him place among the fore.
most OF the worlds naval commanders. He
dos lamented by the whole country and his
memory will forever be cherished and hold in
Aonor BY the service
On the day Of the funeral the Navy Depart
ment will bo closed, the nag will be displayed
20 board all ships In commission, and seven.
teen minute'guns will be fire at noon from each
navy yard. TIE Navy Department will be
orapec. aud oil officers Of the navy and marine
cpTpse win wear the badge OF mourning for
thirty days. 0IE