The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-07-10
ADMIRAL BROWNS ORDERS
Assigned by the Department TO Com.
mand the Norfolk Navy Yard.
Il Is the Most Delightful Station on the
Coast-His Distinguished Career as
Naval Officer.

Admiral George Brown has been assigned
to duty in charge of the Norfalk (Va.l navy
yard. far and away the most delightful
mouth of the James. where il empties into
Chesapeake bay. it is just acrcss the river
from Old Point Comfort, with the famous
Hampton Roads between. 1t is near to
Washington, near to Annapolis, and sur
rounded with exceedingly pleasant social
relations. The Admiral will assume COM
mand on Aug. !. leaving here about July
Is or "a. Mrs. Brown and their sons 0aorge
and Hugh will follow in september. George
entering the Naval Academy at Annapolis.
Their departure will cause much regcet in
Indianapolis social circles.
It has fallen to the lot Of but tow men in
the pav TO meet with as varied expert
ences or to acquire the dietinction that
Admiral Brown has enjoyed. He is now In
his f%fty-ninth year. and does not look to
be fOrty-nine. His father was o prominent
political figure In Indiana. and he was sent
through the Naval Academy and appointed
midshlpman in 1919, cruising on the Cum
berland and st. Lawrence. He was pro-
noted RAPIDLY, aud became lieutenaIs in
1856. He served In the Brazilian and Afri-
can squsdroHs until 1850. when he was
ordered to special service on the Pow
hatan. In 1861 he was transferred TO the
Octorora. the flagship of Commodore Por-
ter's mortar boat mf1Otilla. He partici-
pated in the memorable ascent
of the Mississippi under Farragut. q was
commended in the official reports for dis
tinguished service. After the feet dropped
down the river the OotarOra was ordered
to blockading duty off Wilmington, n. &.
Lieutenant Brown was shortly sfterward
promoted to lieutenat-commander and
given command of the ironclad ~lndlanOla.
of the Mississippi squadron. With her be
succeeded in safely running the batteries
at Vioksburg and WarrentOn. but on Feb.
"a was caught by four confederate gun
boats above upper Palmyra island. After
q severe engagement of nearly an hour and
q half he surrendered. only when his ship
was in q sinking condition and lie himself
was seriously wounded.
He was exchanged in a few months and
assigned TO the gunboat ltaska. with
whioh he did distin guished service In the
operations about Mobile. He was pro-
NOTED commander in 1866. and assigned to
the b gt0n hayward. The next year
ironclad msn-Of- war of the United States.
and selected Commander Brown to COM
mand 1t. He secured a leave of absence
and devoted himself for the next few years
to building ND a navy for Japan with ad-
mlrable results.
Returning to the United States service
he was promoted captain in 1877, and given
charge OF the Norfolk yerd in 1886. In time
of peace promotions In the higher naval
ranks come by death and retirement of
uperior officers, and Captain Brown in
time became Commodore Brown. and later
acting Rear Admiral. With this rank he
has held for the past three years command
of the Pacific squadron. He was stationed
at Valparaiso during the war between
Chill and Peru, and has been at the Hawai-
ian islands = great deal. where he has been
accorded royal honors. Indeed, q couple
of years q 10 was bruited about among
the newspapers that the same element of
citizenship that has since accomplished
the revolution in Hawaii. begged admir-
Brown to accept the crown of the islands.
While never directly denying this story.
the Admiral smiles wnen IL is mentioned
and remarks that there IL nothing in it."