The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-06-09

tt Z III
ADMIRAL JOHN G. WALKER.
the Mohican. and by Mr. f. o. Graves.
IN old friend CT the admiral. The party
went aboard the Mohicans launch, and
was steamed around TO Ocean dock.
where the Columbine lay, on the way
over Lieut. Wadaams pointed out TO the
admiral the Mohican, with the remark:
There is one of the old-style cruisers.
II is probably the last one you Will ever
see"
Yes" said the admiral. as he looked
at the historic warship. II don't know
that ! care TO see any more OF them.
Once on board the Columbine. Admiral
Walker was busy for some time showing
Mr. Perkins and Mr.. Mcfarland, who are
TO be his guests on the voyage. over
the ship AS soon as the baggage had
been slowed away the Colum5ine. with
the admiraiS pennant at the masthead,
set sail The lighthouse tender was neat
as a pin, and a more perfectly appointed
vessel never steamed out OF the haroor.
The second Man in the Navy.
In appearance the admiral is tall. with
a fine, benevolent face. lie is beginning
to show the effects Of age, his shoulders
are slightly stopped and his long, flow
ing Burnsides are streaked with gray.
lie did not seem TO be in the best OF
health. His eye was not bright ana his
countenance showed a pallor that dld
not become "A man of the sea. Evidently
the long inland ride into Alaskan
waters will prove stimulus 10 him. He
was dressed in a plain black suit, rather
well worn, and there was nothing TO IN
dictate that he was the second man in the
navy of one of the greatest nations on
earth.
Admiral Walker was seen on board the
Columblne a short time before the vessel
pulled out from the dock. He said:
Il am sorry that / have to start on my
trip north so soon, as l have never been
north of San Francisco harbor. l will
stop at this place on my return in about
twenty days and make quite a stay, look
ing over the resources OF the country and
OF Seattle in particular. | am interested in
the progress of work on Port Orchard dry
dock. which work, l understand is get
ting on nicely. in fact, better than had
supposed until informed as to 1t immedi-
atety after my arrival here this after
noon"
The Admiral's Career.
Admiral Walker was born in Hills
borough. y. H.. March -, 1885. He was
graduated az the United States naval acad-
envy In 1876, promoted to master January
- 1857. and became lieutenant January
- 1855 During the civil war he served
on the Atlantic coast blockade In the
steamer Connecticut in 1851 ana was trans
fered 10 the steamer Winona. of the West
ern Gulf bloCkading squadron in 1852. In
this vessel he participated in the engage
ments that ended in the capture of New
Orleans and in the subsequent operations
against Vicksburg in IS62. He was pro-
NOTED 70 lieutenant commander July 10.
ISL and had command Of the river iron
clad Baron de Kalb Of the Mississippi
squadron in 1888. In which he participated
In the attacks on NiCksburg and the opera
tions on the YaZoo river cooperate with
Gen William T. sherman and the army
lie participated tn both attacks on Haines'
Elun. in the Yazoo river expedition against
the Confederate guuhoats in the capture
Of Fort Hindman and Yazoo City. and In
the attack on Fort Pemherton. For these
services he was highly commended by Ad-
miral Porter IN his report and also IN his
Naval History OF the Clvr War" After
he had iopred passage through GaZoo
pass IA took command Of the naval bat
terry. with cannon from the gunhoats in
the commandment of NicksburC from the
rear. which contributed greatly 10 the fnal
surrender. After the fall Of that place he
HAD command Of the naval expedition
arainst Yazoo river I'm cooperation with
5o'o troops in transports Walker led in
the 10 ha}h. and while engaging the hat
tories his vessel ran foul OF a torpedo.
which exploded and caused the vessel 10
sink almost instantly. a second torredo
exploding under her stern as she wont
down. lie commanded the steamer Sara
ON tho North Atlauti" blockade In 1854.
and The SchaUmat ju 8 ~. En- which be mar
ti,spafei iu the capture of forts near Wu-
wi0Eton. He was promoted ana advanced
over others for bis services during the
var u d." grade ~ commander on Julv
o. 1870 served A. the naval aca1ar71v IN
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