Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-08-02

known lights OF his homo appea'e1 -.
the distance his voice grew stronger, ou'
tremulous. for. be fe.t that he vas near
ing the end OF He's voyage STAR
board steady; port; ease ner' stop me-,
LEI 20 YOUR anchor" with the rattle OF
the chains he sank TO the ds4k. overcome
bv the dread disease. ana on the FOL
lowing morning breathed his last
For. tho from out our Lourne time and
place.
The Good may bear me far;
I hope TO see my pilot face 10 face.
When / have crossed the bar"
Along the coast may stiil be seen thu
storm bea Ten hulls Of some Of the I'M
fortunate ships. which. after weathering
many a gale at sea. came 20 grief WITHIN
sight OF friendly port. The Beauregard
and the Venus lie stranded on Carolina
Beach; the Modern Greece near New
Inlet: the Antonfca on Frying-Pan
shoals: the Ella on Bald Head; the
spunkey and the Georgiana Mccall on
Caswell Beach: the Hete and the Dee
between Wrightsville and Masonooro'
Two others lie near Lockwoods FoAy
Bar. and others. whose names arc also
forgotten. lie half buried In the sands,
where they may remain for centuries
JOHN n. MAFFTTT.
Among that devoted band OF United
States navy officers whose home ana
Kindred were in tho South az the out
break OF the war, and who resiGned their
commissions rather than aid In subjugat-
inx their native state, there were none
drawer nor truer than our own Captain
John n. Mafistt, who, yielding to nsces-
sity. severed the strong ties OF a service
under the old flag IN which he had long
distinguished himself, and relinquished
not only a conspicuous position directly
In the line OF speedy promotion TO the
rank OF admiral. but sacrificed al the
same time his entire f0rtune. which was
invested In the North. ard which was
oonhscated shortly aftsrward by the
Federal Government.
The biography Of this modest hero has
never been written. ! give the following
brief sketch prersred by the accomplished
Mrs. j. n. Moftt at the time Of her
distinguished husbands decease, who Is
now writing a more extended memoir OF
his career:
John Newland Mafitt was born at sea
on the 22d OF February. 1873. His parents
were Rev. John Newland Maffitt and Ann
Carnicke. his wife. Rev. AT. hafhtt,
having determined TO emigrcte 70 Ameri-
ca, left ireland with his wife and family
landed in New York on the 1st OF April
1918. his son having been born on ths
passage Their first home was In Con-
necticut Wien John was about years
old. his uncle Or. william Maffitt, who
Rad accompanied them to America, visit
ed his brother. Rev. Mr.. Mafitt, and find
ing him IN straiteaed circumstances,
begged 70 adopt their non, and on the
consent OF his parents Dr. Maffitt brought
bis nephew TO Fayetteville, y. c. Some
years were passed in this happy home OF
his boyhood. when MS unc.e determined
TO send him to school at White Plains,
n. Y. AS a little stripping. he started
~ the old-time stage coach, with
his ticket tackled to his Jacket
and OF his arrival much Gu
riosity vas shown TO see ths
little boy who had come alone
from his distant southern home.
He remained at this school under Pro
fsssor Swinburn until he was - years
old. when his fathers friends obtained
for him a commission es midshiyman in
the United States navy. His first orders
we're 10 the St Louis, then at Pensacola
ravy-yGrd. Ills second sea orders wee
TO the Constitution. the fis gship OF the
squadron, commanded by Commodore
Elliott, then fitting out for the Mediter-
ranean. This cruise lasted three years
and six months, and IL wak during tnat
time that most Of the incidents related
IN the Nautilers took place. Having been
appointed aide 20 Commodore Elliott the
young misshipman had many aCvan-
tages not otherwise obtainabls. He was
next ordered to the fr.sate Macedonian
as past midshipman, and II was while In
port at Pensacola, Fla, tina. he mad his
first experience OF yellow jack" and
came near losing his life. His first IN
dependent command was the Gallatin.
He commanded alEo the brig Dolphin
and several others. He was engaged
under Professor Bache for some years
on the coast survey, and was OF great
service to the professor, which the latter
was not slow TO acknowledge. Much or
their work was In the harbors OF Nam
tucket. Charleston, Wilmington, and
Savannah a channel IN the harbor Of
Charleston still bears his name. In one
Of the numerous published sketches this
tribute is paid to MIN:
4 SPLENDID OFFICER.
HE was always considered one OF the
best officers and most high-tOned gen.
tlemen OF the old service. For some
years he was connected with the coast
survey, and Professor Bache, the head
Of the department, declared that II
Mahitt was taken from him he could not
Supply MS lldtt III i'll Aiio h0fSs AAS -
not only a thorough seaman and game
to the backbone, but a man Of superior
intellect, q humorist OF rare excellence.
and one OF the most delightful cCmpan-
ions. There is no position Ia MS pro-
fession when MaLtt is not capable OF
filling with honor and distinction" This
was his acknowledged position when the
war began. His last command while In
the service OF the United states was the
Crusader He was very successful in cap
turing slavers. IL January, 1860, while
in command of the Crusader. and
also acting rs paymaster Of the ves-
sell he was ordered by the Secre-
tary OF the Navy 10 proceed 70 Mobile.
and there cash q check on tAe Collector
OF the port for prze-money due the Of
hcers and crew. The city being agitated
at the time BY the Ordinance OF Secs
sion, Just passed by the State Of Alabama.
he was forced to put his vessel in a de-
fensive position, and soon retired to the
port OF Habana. Here, falling TO nego-
tiate with the Bank OF Habana for the
funds requisite for the necessities OF the
vessel he advanced from his private !