Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-11-11
CHANGE OF COMMANDERS
Bear Admiral Carpenter to Be Succeeded
by Commodore McNair.
The New Officer Familiar With the
Asiatic Station by Reason of
Former Service.

Orders have been issued for Commodore
F. V. McNair to relieve Rear Admiral c. c.
Carpenter of command of the naval forces
on the Asiatic station. The change at this
time is somewhat of a surprise, fnasmuch
as 1t was generally believed that Admiral
Carpenter would continue in command un-
til shortly before his legal retirement which
takes place February ~ next. Secretary
Herbert received a cablegram from him
Saturday saying that his wife was seri-
ously Ill at her nome in this country, and
asking to be relieved at once. In view of
the pressing nature of the case, the Secre-
tary cabled him permission to return home
as quickly as he desired.
His Efficient Service.
Admiral Carpenter is now on his flag
ship. the Baltimore, at Woosung, near
Shanghai, and 1t is believed lie will take
passage on the first steamer leaving the
latter port for San Francisco. On arriv
ing at home he will be placed on waiting
orders to await retirement. He was in
Chinese waters during the short and de-
cisive war between China and Japan, and
performed his duties during those trying
times with rare tact and discretion. More
recently he has rendered excellent service
in protecting American missionaries and
preserving the peace in disturbed districts.
His Successor.
Commodore McNair, who succeeds to his
important station, is now on duty in this
city, as president of the naval examining
and retiring board. He has served several
years on the Asiatic station, and is well ac-
quainted with its physical characteristics
His new detail will give him the rank of act
ing rear admiral, and he will have all the
prerogativeS of that grade without the pay.
He is well up on the list of commodores, and
will attain the actual rank OF admiral in
comparatively short time. He will proceed
to his distant station without delay, and will
sail the latter part of this month from San
Francisco for Yokohama, where he will
hoist his flag on the cruiser Olympia, which
vessel arrived there Saturday, eighteen days
from Honolulu. The cruiser Baltimore,
which was Admiral Carpenters flagship,
has been on the Asiatic station for two
years, and the Olympia was sent out for her
relief. The Baltimore will probably start
for San Francisco in few weeks. She will
bring home all the men whose time is nearly
out, and will herself be put out of commits
sion in order to receive thorough overhaul
ing, of which she is reported to be in great
need.
No Decrease in Force.
1t is stated at the Navy Department that
the strength of the Asiatic squadron will
not be decreased until all danger of disturb
ance in that part of the world growing out
of the recent war and existing complications
shall have disappeared. 1t comprises the
strongest fleet the United States has on
any foreign station, and at present includes
Eine warships, as follows: Olympia, Balti-
more, Charleston, Yorktown, Machias, Con-
cord. Detroit, Petrol and Monocacy OF
these the Baltimore will shortly be detached
1t is said that the Charleston will also be
ordered home in few months, and that her
place will be taken by the Boston, which
will be put in commission at San Francisco
in few days.
The New Flagship.
The Olympia, the new flagship of the
Asiatic station. Is the finest vessel of the
United States navy that has ever visited
Chinese waters. She is larger and more
powerful than the Baltimore. and will COM
pare favorably with any vessel of her type
in the world. She is superior to all of the
British or other foreign cruisers now in
Chinese waters. Her high speed and mod
ern equipment will make her a great at
traction in the orient.
Will Sail ON the Both Instant.
Acting Admiral McNair today notified
Secretary Herbert that he has arranged to
sail from San Francisco on the 3oth IN
slant for Yokohama, and that he will he
accompanied by Mrs. McNair, by Lieut. L.
L. Reamey as his secretary and by Lieut..
q. w. Logan as flag lieutenant of the
Asiatic station. Lieut.. Reamey is now
naval aid to Secretary Herbert and Lieut.
Logan is attached to the Dolphin.