The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1894-02-23
cnAIN ARslon jos.


STATE Ceninandsr Joseph e. vRntine an
Unknswn Hero.
BY the election Of Joseph L. vantine
to the highest posltion In the gift of
the G. A. Il. OF Delaware, q compliment
has been paid to the navy. And in
thinking of the desds OF our navy
during the late war 1t has cropped up
that there are several items OF interest
unpublished. among which 10 the fol-
lowing:
1t may not be generally known that
the Department Commander of the
Grand Army OF the Republic, OF Della
aware. Joseph L. Vantine. of New
Castle, was the originator of the
Chain Armor" as used on our naval
vessels during the war of the Rebel
lion. MIR. NantlHe first conceived the
idea from his experience before the
war as an oysterman. While dredg
ing in winter it wac his custom 10
hang the anchor chain in festoous
aronud the bow of his vessel to pre-.
vent the ice from cutting through,
4 When Mr.. Nantlue entered The
United States Navy under Admiral
Porter he was assigned to duty on
board the Unitod States ship Rich
mond and fought their way all along
the coast from Hampton Roads to the
mouth OF the Mississippi river, where
they found it necessary before the
fleet could reach the city of New Or,
leans to pass between two formidable
forts-Fort jackson and Fort st.
Phillips, one oil each side of the river
MIR. Vantine then being free man
on board the Richmond. and having
no authority ia act. without orders,
madea suggestion to Els Chief Engi.
neer, John w. Moore. that they hang
chains over the ships sides to prevent
The enemys shots from passing
through her side and injuring the
boilers and engine.
Chief Engineer Moore acting on the
suggc -tion of Mr.. Vantine Immediate
ly ordered this to be done and soon
the anchor chains covered the sides OF
the L. 5. ship Richmond. The COM
: manders OF other vessels on tho ileet
seeing what had been done on the
kichuond, soon took the hint and
covered their ships with chain Thus
the fleet successfully passed the forts
and captured the city OF New Orleans.
This chain armnr was afterwards
, used on board the kearsarge in hel
capture OF the Alabama.
Admiral Porter. N his book on "Our
Navy" not knowing the foregoing
, tacta. gives John w. Moore the credit
Of being the originator of the chair
armor. while the shlpmates on board
the Richmond at the time are unaul,
nous In declaring that the credit
rlghtfully belongs to conrad JOSEPH
E. Nantine, and they have dubbed him
i"Chain Armor Joe
| sing of the brave. one Joseph Vantinc
a very true friend aud shipnate OF
My watchnate my messnate still c'osei
I'LL come.
And write IL down here that he was IN,
chunl,
Deserving all praise u country can give
Aud pensiJn to keep him as long n,
: he II live.
His good deeds were many his faulti
Now here III speak casy-but want t,
or humble position. yet to [. s. he was ,
prize,
Men who are faithful do not lwavs rise.
a pow he proved ON NJ iss issippis da /
tide,
Aud Invented chain arnor. the whole ma
TONS pride.
Tn"mgh others got credit for what h,
did procure.
Posterity will right him OF that an
sure.
For whatever success the navy may gain
u lIc to our Joseph ard hisanchurchaIn
week IA wreck
Would have gone thirty years sooner. Dut
Joe was on deck.
With lis chain cable hung over the side.
stopping many shot from the Coat
fedcratc pride
Alabana, with Hyme. and his crew.
For with WINSTON aud cham they had
little 10 do.
But quict went to the bottom-stern
/ for must,
And yet without any credit TO Joe. you
q know,
Now all pull together boys. north. cast
i and west
Ana pledge each to the other will never
rest,
TIL Joe's WRONGS are rIghtel his name
Won en2rive.
With Porter Winsow. Cushing aud Far
ragut brave
Now Ill up u bumper YOU all VIII know.
And drink TO the Meath of Chain Armor
/ Joe.
In communications to the National
Tribune. William simmons OF Phila.
dslphia and Is, Franklin SanbOrn OF
Boston. both comra les OF Mr. VantIne
at the time stated above. both youch-
eafe for tie accuracy of tho statement
that tho credit belongs to the State
Commander.
I MIR: Nan,ine was born Ia Philadel.
phta, March 1853; first entered the u.
. ~ ANANy IA lcpts vi Lllo u. .. HIlRAle
Minnesota, under the lats Admiral
DUPONT, that vessel taking the l.. ).
Minister, VIM. b. Reed. to China. re
. turning to the United States again in
1889. shortly after the firing on Fort
Sumter by the rebels in 1851, Joined
. the Y. 5. sloop OF war Richmond n,
/ The Brooklyn navy yard as first class
, fireman.
=, Our first engagement was at the
bomhardment of Fort McIlea and
Barancas, ami took part In all tho en-,
} gagements. some Is in number In
which that vessel took part, until the
) capture OF Mobile, in the fall of "a,
received Ills medal of honor for per-
sonal vaIor, at the engagement with
the Port Hudson batteries ia ATatch,
'63, under general orders No. Il, or.
lered by act oil Congress July l2 SO.
Was hoEorably discharged September
Z, ~, having served 80 months. lie
! 10 charter member of the Farragut
Naval veteran Association No. /, OF
Philadelphia, a member of the M.
tional Association of Naval Veterans,
was also charter member OF Post II,
q. a. r.. and at present a memb er
and Adlutant OF Post No. 5, q. A. Il.
THE MODERN INVALID
las tastes incidentally. in keeping
! NaFtF IA all asnE. H..