New-York tribune., 1896-05-16

squadron on Lake Erie. when he was eighteen
years old The son was appointed midsnpmah
from Connecticut in 1885, much against his fathers
WILL and served first the old Independence. de-
tailed to take George Dallas. United States Minis-
ter to Russia to St. Petersburg. In lSiS, when re-
turning home from his post as naval storekeeper
In Honolulu, on the Chilan ship Maria Helena
with his wife and eldest child. he shipwrecked,
and for three months they remained on desert
island. Here they suffered every possible hardship
On the island there was no wood. water or game.
They were compelled to depend on what they had
saved from the wreck for sustenance. and were re-
duced to pint Of water day for each & rersoni;
They finally taken off by French sioop ana
carried back to Honolulu.
After varied service he commissioned
lieutenant IN lSi9 and In 1926 commanded the
schooner Ewing in surveys Of the California and
Oregon coasts. When the Civil War broke out,
and ordered to command the oregon. one OF the
"ninety-day" gunboats. and Joined the south At
lantc Squadron, under Admiral Du Pont On No
vember 4. 1861 he took part in the engagement a,
Port Royal and in those with Forts Beauregard
when they were taken. On January !, 1867. he had
engagement with Commodore Tatnalrs fleet IN
the same feet. After that the oregon was
stantly employed for many months In Florida
manded the Federal forces in these waters. one
OF his exploits at that time was the capture OF tne
yacht America. the cup winner, then engaged IN
bockade-runnng. -
He left the South Atlantic Squadron in May; 1852,
10 take command or tne Steamer oeh6
present at the battle OF West Point. commanding
the first expedition to the James River, and taking
part in the demonstration against Petersburg ana
the battle Of Malvern Hill. In July OF that year
he promoted 10 the rank OF commander, ana
was FOR short time In command OF the famous
Monitor He commanded the Sonoma IN
Wilkes's West India squadron, when he captured
five prizes and made his famous chase of the priVa-
teer Florida for thirty-four hours on the Bahama
banks on October 7 ne boarded and searched the
Gadla tor while she was under convoy OF British
soop-of- war. because she had the appearance OF
being a blockade -runner-an unprecedented thing
TO DO. and that caused both commanders 10
clear their decks for action.
In August 1863 Commander Stevens was assigned
10 the monitor Patapsco. His cooness and courage
led TO his being selected for extraordinary services
felt from the first to be imprac tcable but was VIII
Ing to undertake. Then he commanded the oneida.
OF the Western Gulf blockadng squadron. but was
temporarily transferred to the Winnebago for the
was conspicuous for the good handling OF his vessel
and for his personal daring.
In July 1866 he commissioned captain; COM
modore in November 1872, and rear-admral In Oc
Guerrere. then at the Navy Yard at Norfolk; then
the Pacific Squadron He also acted as president OF
the Board of Visitors to the United States Naval
Academy on May q. 1881 he was retired.
In all his service in the Civil War Stevenss
personal bravery. Judgment versatility in resource
and great professional capacity won for him con-
santy the highest praise from every superior OIL
Ger under whom he served. No service was too
arduous mission too perous. for him TO under
take and his only failures out what he set
10 do were capturing the Florida, because he
Fort sumter. undertaken against his Judgment
Washington has been Admiral Stevens's home
since his father in command OF the Navy Yard
in the early fortles After his retirement he con-
lived with him. His son, Thomas Hodup Stevens,
Is a lieutenant in the United States Navy.