Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-06-29
CAPT. PIGMAN GOES.
q MMANDER FORSYTH ARRIVES
TO RELIEVE THAT OFFICER.
Positions Occupied by the Monitors
sketch of the Naval Life of the
-
Notes About the Fleet.

Commander j. NJ. Forsyth. OF the
United States navy. who assumes com
mand OF the monitors now stationed in
the Randolph Flats. James river, this
morning. arrived here last night, and
registered At Murphy's Hotel lie IL the
eighth officer who has been appointed
To- the command Of these vessels since
they were assigned TO the James river,
seventeen years ago. His predecessors
have been Commanders Eastman. Seeley,
Smitz. Mullen. Curley. Graham. and Pig
man. and during that time the boats
have occupied positions at Claremont,
Brandon. city Point, and their present
station.
THE CHANGE OF OFFICERS.
There Is to be no formality about the
turning over OF the command by Com
mander Pigman this morning. Comman-
der Forsyth will 20 down to the vessels
on the steam launch at $50 this morn
ing He will be met by the retiring
officer. who will proceed to show him
over the command. and as soon as THIS
shall have been accomplished Comman-
der Pieman will leave for Norfolk. where
he will spend day or so, preparatory to
leaving for San Francisco. from which
port he will proceed TO Honolulu TO as
sumo command of the Bennington.
HISTORY OF THE BOATS.
The history Of the monitors prior to
their relegation TO James river waters
has been given fully in the columns Of
the Dispatch. and it would be superfiu-
Gus to reiterate il at this date. They
came 10 edmond bearing honorable
scars OF many desperate encounter and
have been the honorod guests of the city
for many years. They have added in no
small degree TO the picturesque effect OF
the James. and have always been regard
Cd with a lively interest by the inhabi-
tants and visitors OF Richmond, who re-
gard their imminent removal with the
deepest regret.
Since the vessels have been stationed
here but few startling or noteworthy in
cidents have occurred in connection with
them. The crew has from time TO time
been reduced, for IT Will probably be re-
membered by many that each of the six
boats was at one time fully differed and
manned.
SERVED on THE Ajax.
Commander Forsyth. who assumes com
mand this morning. has lately returned
from a cruise in South Am rlcan waters
as commander OF the ldlltltprd, b'iii5
stationed for some time in the Parana
river. Argentine Republic. II is an IN
tcresting circumstance that this gentle
man should have served on the Ajax at
Key West during thu Cuban troubles OF
lSIl In lSf4-'G5 Commander Forsyth was
a lieutenant on board the Nantucket for
sixteen months, when that boat was sta
toned at Charleston harbOr. where ne
took an active part In the siege opera
tons. the Nantucket forming part or Bat
terry Il, at Fort Moultrie.
Commander Forsyth said to a Dispatch
reporter last night that his career had
been similar to that Of the majority Of
naval officers. and with the exception Of
the actions above alluded 10. he has been
in no important engagements. lie said he
looked forward 10 his stay here with
great degree OF pleasurable anticipation.
for he had heard all the officers who had
been stationed here speak in the very
highest terms. not only Of the station
itself as being particularly healthlul
and desirable location. but OF the kind
Ness and courtesy Of the Richmond
people.
PIGMAN'S KIND WORDS.
Commander Picman. he said, had re-
ferred in the most eulogistic terms TO the
station in the course of his correspond
ence with him. In speaking Of the inn
pending removal of the vessels Com
inander Forsyth said he was not In a po-
sition 10 express an opinion; but be be
ieyed II quite possible that when the
Catskill and I.ehieh should be overhauled
at the Norfolk naVy-yarGs IL would he
found that the expense OF fitting them out
for service, as intended would be 50
great that the scheme would be aban-
doned in which event the remaining four
monitors might be left here