Omaha daily bee., 1895-11-10
FATHER AND SON ADMIRE "
Honorable Distinction Enjoyed by the
selfridge Family.
CAREER OF THE JUNIOR OFFICER
R~ecoIIcctions of His Experience on
the Cumberland when Ia Was
Rammed by the FamOus
Merrimac.

For the first time in the history of the
American navy, writes a correspondent of
the Philadelphia Record, a father and his
son are both borne on its list with the rank
Of rear admiral, the highest now recognized
by law. They are Thomas o. Selfridge, who
heads the list of retired rear admirals, and
Thomas Selfridge, jr., who has just been
Iomoted to the list of active rear admirals.
Both were born and appointed from Massa-
chusetts. The father was appointed a mid
shpman on the list of January, 1875, and is
now "a years old, yet he is hale and hearty,
takes an interest in everything that is going
on, especially in the navy; keeps up with all
the new ships and all the improvements in
armor and armament, and plays as good a
game Of whist as he ever did,
Like so many other retired navy officers,
ne lives at the capital city-Washington has
been called the Rear Admirals' Rest-be-
cause he can see more Of his old friends and
companions in arms and keep in closer
touch with the navy here than elsewhere.
Naturally, he takes a peculiar interest in all
that concerns his two sons in the navy-his
namesake, the new rear admiral, and Lieu
tenant Commander j. r. Selfridge, who is
now in charge Of the branch photographic
office at Philadelphia, both of them being a
cause of pride to him.
THE YOUNGER ADMIRAL'S CAREER.
Rear Admiral Selfridge, jr., who sailed the
other day to take command of the European
squadron, was the first officer of the navy to
receive a diploma of graduation under the
present organization of the Naval academy,
graduating in June, 1853, at the head OF the
first class graduated from Annapolis. Ever
since then he has stood at the head Of his
class always being foremost in every COM
petition, and especially during the civil war,
when he volunteered for more service of a
officer.
1t is a striking fact, throwing light on the
war promotions in the navy, that, although
Selfridgc was admitted by the secretary of
the navy himself to have such a splendid war
record, he got no promotion for his war serv-
ice. II is true that he was three times recon-
mended for promotion by Admiral Porter, and
that he was one Of half a dozen officers
selected for a promotion Of thirty numbers
by a board of five admirals, Of which Farragut
was chairman, which Secretary Welles ap-
pointed at the close of the war to pick out
the most meritorious officers for promotion
but nothing came of 1t, and Admiral Selfridge
had to climb slowly up TO his present rank
by the regular rounds Of the official ladder, a
step at a time.
l found out Just how modest he was when
tried to get him to tell the other day the
story Of his experiences during the war.
Most pleasantly, most smilingly, he answered
my questions, but told me as little as posi-
bic in doing so. He was for dismissing
each incident in a few words, as though il
were of no great Notwithstanding that
just happened In the line Of his duty and
need not be enlarged upon, 20 that it was
really difficult TO get at what l wanted.
THE FIGHT WITH THE MERRIMAC.
| knew his record as It is set forth In the
formal and semi-official book on 1.-The living
officers OF the navy" aud l wanted him tC
put flesh on the skeleton and spirit within
II. Coming down to war time the record
says: Commissioned lieutenant, February
1860; ordered TO the frigate Cumberland
flagship Of home squadron, in September
1860; was present at the destruction Of the
Norfolk navy yard in April, 1861. and al The