Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-05-01
A NAVAL ENGAGEMENT.
Commander Whiting Announces That I
VIII Marry Miss All Eonc of Honolulu

Commander Whiting Announces That He
Will Marry Miss All Fong of Honolulu.
prominent naval officer in this city has re-
ceived a letter from Commander William H.
Whiting. commanding the United States steam
ship Alliance. modestly announcing his engage
ment to Miss All Fong, a Chinese maiden Of
Honolulu, and intimating that the marriage
will take place on the first convenient OCCASION
This engagement has been a matter of common
gossip among naval officers for several weeks,
but until now was never considered seriously.
Commander Whiting was regarded by his
friends as being too steadfast a bachelor ever to
think of marrying. 1t appears, however. that
their confidence in this respect was wofully
misplaced.
HOW THE ACQUAINTANCE BEGAN.
Commander Writings ship, the Alliance, be-
longs to the Pacific station, and has made
several visits to Hawaii. While there he spent
a great deal of time at the house of Mr.. All
Fong, wealthy Chinese merchant, who has
always shown great pleasure in entertaining
officers Of the American navy. In this way
Commander Whiting became acquainted with
the merchants daughter. Miss Eta All Fong
and strong friendship sprang up between
them. resulting at last in an engagement Of
marriage. She Is seventeen and he is fifty.
Miss All Fong is not a full-blooded China
woman. Her father, All Fong, drifted to the
Sandwich Islands when young and SINGLE He
made great deal of money in very short
time. He was always a good judge of the opium
market. He married wealthy Kanaka woman
who lived ear Honolulu. He has thirteen
children. 1t is said that if he were to die TODAY
he would leave enough to give each of his
children a million and half of dollars. He
de- % 1,n AL.
kalakaua was king All Fong made him present
of $4,000 Subsequently, it is said, King
kalakau threw monopoly Of the opium
privilege into the hands Of one Of All FOngs
friends.
Mr. All Fong is said to live in magnificent
home and to be member of the very best
kanakan society. Miss Eta All Fong is said to
be his favorite daughter. She is described as
being tall. slender and graceful. with clear
complexion. blue eyes and wavy brown hair
Her feet are celestally small, put they were
not made SO by wearing small shoes in the
highly accomplished for girl of her age
COMMANDER WRITINGS CAREER.
Commander Whiting is short and compact.
He has gray hair. heavy, white mustache
and gentle, winning manner. He was born
in New York on July 8, 1S43. His parents were
natives of Wisconsin, and he was appointed to
Annapolis from that state on September II,
1860. From 1853 to 1865 he served as ensign on
the flagship Hartford in the West Gulf squad
He in the battle of Mobile Bay and
took an active hand in the burning of the Brit
ish blockade runner Ivanhoe under the guns Of
Fort Morgan on July s. 1864. He was present
ut the surrender Of Fort Gaines a month later
and two weeks afterward he participated
i'll the bombardment and surrender
OF Fort Morgan. It was at Fort
Morgan that Commander Writings hearing was
mi A Sha1l
damaging the tympanum Of his left ear In
1865 he was transferred to the Kearsarge Of the
European squadron. where he served until No
vember. 1866 when he was made master and
transferred to the steamer Frolic of the same
squadron. He was commissioned lieutenant
in February, 1867, and lieutenant commander
in March, 1868, when he was assigned to the
steam sloop Ticonderonga of the European
squadron In 1870 he wedt to the Swa;ara, q
fourth-rate boat of the North Atlantic squadron,
but left it year later for the second-rater
Benicia of the North Pacific squadron He
served on the Benicia until 1875, when he was
detailed to the Brooklyn navy yard
He STAYED there for three years.
when he WAS assigned to the Con-
sttution for special service. He returned to
the Brooklyn navy yard in 1851, and in July,
1882, he was made commander. His first
command was the training ship Saratoga from
1884 to 1856. In 1886 he returned to the
Brooklyn navy yard. where he served as equip
ment officer, and later as the head of the board
Of inspection. He was put in command of the
kearsarge OF the North Atlantic squadron IN
1889, from which he was transferred in October
1892, to the command of the Alliance, which he
now holds.
NOW IN SAN FRANCISCO.
Com mander Whiting is very popular among
officers and men. He is known as a good
sailor and good fighter. Until now, it is said
he has been noted for his bravery, his wit and
his avoidance Of marriageable women. His
vessel Is now at San Francisco. preparing for a
cruise to Boring in the summer. at the close
of which she will probably be ordered to again
visit the islands in the South Pacific, in which
event the genial captain will be able to again
call on his prospective bride.