The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1892-01-21

i'll one oithe harbors OF tho Slcditerra-
mean, tho English squadron under ADJ
miral ABeauchamp Seymour hove in
sight. From tho signaling that was car.
ried on between tho advanced vessel
and tho flagship II was made out that
Evanswas occupying the berth that tho
Admiral had selected for himself In or
der 10 maintain tho precision OF his
fleet Evans at once masthcaded his
topsails, slipped away from his buoy,
and, bracing his sails nback, sailed his
ship astern through tho lines OF the
English ironclads. After the AdmiraFs
vessel was secured he sent IN officer
aboard tho Saratoga with his compli-l
ments, telling Commander Evans that
1t was rs fine piece OF ,sean,anship rs
he ever had seen, and inviting the Com
mander to dine With him. Further.
more, he said he would send his gig TO
transport tho Commander to the flag
ship. "Tell the Admiral" said Evans,
''tllnt ! will with great pleasure accept
his invitation to dine, but that have
gig OF my own with u fine crew OF naval
apprentices TO pull it."
Some years after this, when on duty
in charge OF the Fifth lighthouse dis
trict, Commander Evans had occasion
to find fault with one OF the lighthouse
keepers, and, rs WIS quite within his
province, he discharged tho man. 1t
happened 10 be asprotSge.o '2;Afaltone's,
and as MahonG WAS .aill-poworful with
the administration, lie demanded that
tho man be restored. Evans objected,
but tho senator insisted, and the naval
man, not being backed up by his supc-
riors, was beaten, and SO threw up the
position and for while was not OH duty.
Being an expert in testing tho
strength OF metals, lo obtained imme-
diato employment with the Baltimore Il
Ohio railroad company, then about to
build thcir fire bridge ut llavrc dc
Grace. All the metal for this immense
structure passed under tho supervision
OF Commander Evans, and the tables
that he drew up us result OF tho tests
for the strength OF The materials en-
ployed were models OF their kind.
AS an example OF the high opinion in
which the professional abilities OF tho
commander was held by the naval au-
thoritics may be mentioned his selcc-
ton rs a member OF the first advisory
board that met under the presidency OF
the late Rear-Admiral John Rogers to
discuss the matter OF building up q
modern navy and TO, recommend what
steps should be taken. The wisdom OF
the selections made and OF the opin-
ions resulting cIn be judged by what
has already been built rs well us what
is already under course OF construction.
"'Fighting Bob Evansis orc OF thebest
officers i'll the navy said ex-Secrctary
OF the Navy William G. Whitney to n
reporter yestcrlay.tWhen / went to
the navy department he was on leave
OF absence and was doing soma outside
work. Some time afterwards | re-
ccived letter from Andrew Carnegie,
III which he referred to Evans and
complimented him highly for his. work
in the construction Of 4 certain bridge.
Mr.. Carnegie said that Evans was not
only great engineer, but one OF the
best judges OF iron and steel he ever
knew.
ave were about to. start on the Maine
at that time, and when Evans returned
L hia'lc nm SIiicl lIispcClOi vi VIC olcti
used mi IS construction. You see, it
required man who had thorough
knowledge OF the material, and l knew
Evans was an expert. He did not see
any very ctiveservice SfromSthassEtimc
until left the department, but after
wards he was put in command OF the
Yorktown.
"As to the question which has arisen
between him and the Chilean foreign
minister, l only know what the papers
have printed and, cannot pass an opin-
ion. HoweVer,.1s d6 hot%@belieYe. Evans
is apt to lose his head and do anything
OH the spur OF the moment. lie knows
what it is to fight, Tor he has magnif-
cent war record. Although very
young man, he went through with great
credit. His reputation for bravery was
firmly established at Fort Fisher We
Americans Z appreciate Fpiuckyyy men.
Evans is one OF the bravestin the SER
vice. have the highest respect for
him."