The morning call., 1893-11-19

from that State 10 the Naval Academy
September 20. 1885, and served the full
term If four years. From 1859 to 1861 he
was attached TO the frigate Congress, then
stationed on the Brazil squadron. From
1861 to 1862 he served ON the frigate ST.
Lawrence, and at the beginning of 1862
WIS again assigned to the Congress. March
9. 1862, he took part in the battle between
the Congress, the Cumberland and the
Confederate monitor Merrimac in Hamp-
ton Roads. He was also in the engage
meut at S-wells Point in May of that year.
Apri! 10. 1861, he nas com missioned lieu
tenant anu from 1862 to 1868 served on he
Dacotah IN the West Indian squadron.
In the same vessel he did duty with
the Son'h Atlantic block aiding squadron
from 1863 TO 1865. and in November, 1868.
he partici ated in he engagement of
monitors in forts Sumter and MOuitrie.
March g. 1865, he was commissioned lieu
tenant-cOmmauder. and until 1867 served
on the steamer Agawam, Atlantic squad
ron. For one year from 1867 he was at
tached 10 the npi rentice-ship Sabin, and
did duty in the New York Navy-yard from
1868 to 1869. He was then attached o the
monitor Saugus and remained with her
for three years, then served a the Ports
mouth Navy-yard until 1872 He received
his commission as commander November
s, 1878, and was Appointed to the Shaw
NUT, North Atlantic squadron. From
w
York Navy, ard. and from 1854 TO 1855
commanded the Swatara, North Atlantic
station. He was promoted to captain
January &c, 1887, com manded the receiving
ship Franklin unit 1888 and the u. S. S.
Minnesota from 1883 to 1890. His record
shows that he had fourteen years and
seven months of sea service, the same time
of ''shore duty" and e ght years one month
when he was unemployed. Hi shore duty
did not consist OF easy billels at Washing
ton or on lighthouse boards, but of ardu-
Gus work at navy-yards aud on apprentice
and receiving ships. lie served with dis
tlncton during the war aud had a perfect
record.
When the white cruiser Boston steamed
out Of New York early in 1891 Capt in
Wiltse was in command. The autumn of
that year saw he beginning of the trouble
with Chile, and when war was immin ent
Secretary Tracy FASTENED to send fleer
the Boston was ordered TO proceed south
ward. Stopping al Rio de Ja8eiro for coal
they were detained for some time by the
illness OF their commander, who they
feared they would be compelled to leave
behind.
For. one morning as he was issuing or
ders, Captain Witse fell to the deck and
lay as one dead. Surgeon Magruder dag
n0sed 1t as apoplexy. Days passed and the
invalid lowered between life and death.
He was carried ashore and by marines
borne on stretcher to he hospital; then
his officers. fearing yellow fever. conveyed
him back to the ship. Finally she sailed,
aud as the winds of the South Seas fought
back the suiiry equatorial atmosphere
Captain Wlltse regained his physical WE'LL
being. But mentally he was never the
same again. At first his peevish
ness was attributed TO that condition
which usually marks the convalescpnt
ssa hnr
whispered about ship that tine old man
isn't what be used to be-" But his petul-
ance was cbeeriully borne wi h, for the
officers liked their old commander. and
when In Valparaiso and subsequently
further north, nota word as to his condition
was said. They watched him carefully,
however, for they feared another stroke.
The details of ship life bothered him.
S~inburne," he would say 10 his execu-
tive. attend to these matters yourself.
Don't worry me" and he would press his
hand to his head as il sharp pain dwelt
there. So little by little the officers took
upon themselves the captains duties and
he seemed willing they should do so.
From Valparaiso the Boston steamed to
Callao and then to San Francisco, arriving
the latter part OF June. 1892. She went
into dock. underwent repair and then was
ordered to Honolulu, arriving there in the
tall OF that year.
Then came the exciting times of Ianu-
airy, 1888. Minister John c. Stevens or
dered the commander of the Boston to
iaho MS forces. project life and property
oil Americans and hoist the stars and stripes
over the Government building. In doing
so captain Wiltse did his duty, nothing
more nor less, Tor bis orders came from his
superior officer. the Presidents represents Ia.
tive at the Hawaiian capital.
FROM me day the American flag was
holssed Giioert Z. Wiltse became a changed
man. He became uupaturaIiv oav mn
naturally communicative, aud the onlv
ming he would talk OF was his action in
claiming the islands for the United States
de would walk about on shore, and. point.