The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1895-05-11
A MAN WHO dashed FARRAGUT
TO THE RIGGING. =.

The death at Annapolis, Maryland, of an
old man-of-war's man, John II. Knowles,
has became historical, and one that the
late William Page made the subject of his
well-known picture.
On the morning of August 5, 1864, Ad
miral FaTagut stood in the port main
rigging of the flagship Hartford, several
feet above the deck, as his squadron en-
tered Mobile Bay. From this elevated pc,
stion the Admiral could view the progress
of the fight, watch the movements of the
Confederate ram Tennessee, commanded
by his |old. friend. Buchanan. and also COM
municate easily with the Melacomet,
dashed alongside to port. AS the heavy
firing increased, and the smoke hung over
the deck, step by step the Adm iral climbed
the rigging to gain clearer view of the
bay, until he reached the futtock. shrouds
Just under the top" Here, leaning
against the stay, he intently watched the
engagement. Captain Drayton and the
officers standing on the poop-deck, observ-
ing his perilous position, and fully aware
that even slight wound might cause the
Admiral to lose his footing hurriedly
ordered the Signal Quartermaster Knowles
to take Il piece Of rope up to the Admiral
and make his position secure. This is the
simple statement of Knowles to the writer;
"Mr. Watson [nowCaptain J. c. ordered
me to 20 up in the port main-rigging
where the Admiral was and put a rope
around him. | cut off a fathom or two
from new lead-line which was lying on
deck, went up the ratings to where the
Admiral was standing with opera-glass
in his hand, Just under the futtock-shrouds
and made the forward end OF the line fast
As ! took the other end around the Admiral
has passed the remark that the rope was not
necessary but went on and made the after
end secure. don't think he noticed the
rope around him, as we were square abreast
of Fort Morgan, and it was pretty hot work
but when the ship got clear OF the forts
the Admiral cast the rope adrift before he
could come down" This statement is
certified to by James Smith, of Baltimore
Captain of the Mizzentop.
The controversies in regard to this in
cdent arose from the fact that Farragut
came down on deck quickly after the ships
entered the bay, but the circumstances as
above related are fully corroborated by
Drayton, Watson, and, in fact, by letters
of Farragut himself. Subsequently, when
the Hartford rammed the Tennessee, the |
Admiral was in the port mizzen-rigging,
where Watson says, II secured him with
my own hands to prevent his being thrown
out of the rigging by the shock of the
collision
John Hazard Knowles was born at South
Kingston, Washington County, Rhode
Island, August 10. 1884. At the time of
his death he had just completed his
enlistment having been continuously in
the navy since May Is, lS5h He
served on the Constellation, Brooklyn,
Donegal, and Phlox, and on the Hartford
during the whole war, participating in all
her engagements. Since lS6S he has been
attached to the Naval Academy. lie was
proud of the fact that he was "true- born
American as old Roger Williams stock"
and that he hoisted the first Rear-Admiral
flag in the United States navy, June, 1869.
He had fine record in the service, and
was good specimen of the men behind
the guns"