The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-12-05

tion taken by him when in command of the
United States slo0p-of-waT Portsmouth in
assisting To suppress the riots that occurred
over the election OF the late David h sIakaua
on February y. 1874, as King OF the,I1awaiian
Islands. In conjunction with Commander
Belknap of the United States steamer Tus-
carora he sent detachment Of marines and
sailors on shore, who by their prompt ap-
pearance restored order, prevented the
shedding of blood and destruction If prop
erty. The captains supeTintended the land
Ing OF the troops In person and visited yRTi-
GUS parts OF the town up to midnight, and
everything being quiet returned to their
respective ships. They were continually on
the watch for danger and to Quell disorder.
From the King, Queen, mobiles and legisla-
tive bodies down TO the humblest subject
the people publicly announced themselves
as being under deep and lasting gratitude
10 Captain SkerIett and bis associates for the
prompt manner in which they rendered
material aid in suppressing the riot and by
the careful and considerable manner in which
they discharged the peculiar duties they
were called upon 10 settle. The thanks of
the Navy Department were also rendered
them.
Upon the arrival of the Mohican at Homo
| lulu Admiral Skerrett will at the hands of
| Queen kapioiani, who by the way is very
estlmaDIe lady. aud her people be received
with royal and bospitabe welcome.
Should an International question arise, they
know full well where 10 look for friendly
advice. While ia command OF the flagship
Richmond he visited Apia Samoa and was
instrumental in settling difficulties between
the Islanders and the United States Consul,
and also examined the site of the new
coaling station a PaGo-Pago. Here also
the admiral will be accorded kind and
hearty reception.
In 1874. by order of the Navy Depart
ment, Admiral Skerrett sailed in the Ports
mouth for Alaska with party of Icelanders
on board TO ascertain the feasibility of
esta bills hing an Icelandic colony in that
territory. While there lie made many warm
friends and also an excellent survey Of
Palmyra, Washington and Christmas
islands, in the North Pacific Ocean. What
ever romance may attach TO the early naYi-
gators. they were in truth bold adven-
turers, pushing their frail baTks into
the stormy seas and In many cases leaving
scarce d cew 10 the points they visited, but
not so with Commander Skerrett, though
he had the credit OF being one Of the most
daring and best navigators of sailing ships.
HIS careful surveys OF seas and ports made
clear 10 our merchant vessels the pathway
across the ocean and to trade and commerce.
For commander Of squadron Jack"
as well as a foreign nation, admlres a
tighter" This quality, too. is embodied
In the character OF admiral Skerrett as
attested during the civil war, OF which he
was an active participant. Thus it Will
be seen by the long service and ripe expert
ence in the combination of diplomacy. delv-
bringing forth fresh discoveries of light TO
civilization; 10 the arts of warfare. whether
| by force OF moral suasion or by shot from
| the cannon'5 mouth. the new commander
in-chief of the Pacific squadron will be
| found equal TO any emergency that may
| arise. Being go familiar with the coast and
| our people by his many years of service
here he will be welcome TO the Pacific
| shores, This will undoubtedly be the last
sea duty Admiral Skerrett will be called
N Flnrl IN fQrn pc nv dna ftf 10.
| he will be retired from active service Janu-
| airy IS. 1895 He will leave Washington for
| here about the 18th of the month. and hoist
| his flag OH the Mphican, which is now the
| flagship of Admiral Brown. having been
| transferred from the Tbeis on Wedne sday
| Of last week.
| The Boston is still at Bon oluiu, but
owing TO her limited cabin capacity the flag
| will probably pot be transferred from the
| Mohican 10 her. Rear-Admiral George
Brown, U. S. N. will leave for the East
the middle OF the present month to have. it
! is said, command OF the Norfolk yard. If
! such proves to be the case it will be about
| the first time that a former commandant OF
| yard, except when acting, has been re-
| assigned TO the same station. This GER
taiDiy speaks well for his former manage
| ment of that yard. 1t would not, however,
be a surprise TO Admiral Browns many
friends II he did not reach the Washington
| yard, although ii seems probable that Cap
tain w. Z. Sampson, u. 5. N, formerly
| commander OF the cruiser San Francisco
| may, If he has not already been detailed To
the yard from which Admiral Skerrett has
| been so recently detached Ensign George
L. Blow, u. ). n, will leave for Washington
| IN week or two. lie will be on duty COLI
nected with the Worlds Fair.
Paymaster Henry T. Shedding, u. S. N,
reported for duty on Wednesday last as
paymaster Of the yard, vice Paymaster j.
r. Stanton, u. S. n, WHO has been detailed
10 the eoast-defense ship Monterey. Pay
master Shedding was accompanied from the
East by his wife and by his clerk. Mr. Roche.
Pay Clerk w. r. Bollard, who has been
efficient in the discharge OF his duties at the
yard, will accompany his chief, Paymaster
Stanton, TO the Monterey. Paymaster
Shedding is fine-looking gentleman and has
| been In tho pay corps since 1862, at which
time be entered as an acting assistant pay
master. being at once ordered to duty In the
| Mississippi River squadron under Rear
Admiral Porter. He was in the Moose
Lake expedition down the Coldwater and
| SunfoweT rivers to get In the rear of Vicks-
burg and Haines Bluff, but was stopped az
| Fort Pemberton and could get no farther
he took an active part in tile siege OF Vicks-
burg and was attached to the first expedi-
| tion to Red River.
| lie was IN numerous engagements on the
Mississippi and Yazoo rivers. While on the
! gunboat fetrel he was captured by the reb-
els, under command Of General Dick Tay-
lor at Yazoo City. He was afterward
ordered TO the Pontiac, and was en-
gagged in the attack on Battery Marshall
at Charleston, also in the Broad River cam
paign to open communication with General
| Sherman. On General Sherman, leaving
| Savannah he was sent up the Savannah
River to protect his crossing at Sister Ferry
into South Carolina. Since the war he has
been on various ships and stations, the las,
duty being at the navy-yard at Pensacola.
Paymaster Shedding, like most of the old
time officers, Is an active member Of the
Loyal Legion and his presence at the meet.
iDgs at San francisco will be found to be