The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1897-04-05
ADMIRAL RAMSAY Retired
Veteran of the Navy Taken From
the Active List.
A NATIVE OF WASHINGTON
He Served His Country Well for
Nearly a Half Century-FOught
Calamity Throughout the War
and Has Since Filled Many Posi-
fions of Trust and Honor.

Rear Admiral w NJ Ramsa J. chief or the
Bureau of Navigation, was placed upon the
retired list today, having reached the age
of sixt y-two. Admiral Ramsay was born In
washington April 8, 1885. He belongs to
an old Washington family, and has many
relatives both in the Army and the Navy
His father was Gen. George ID Ramsay,
United states Army. He has served with
distinction. as is shown by the many inn
p,artant places he has been selected 10 fill
He was appointed nndshpman in 1850,
and was promoted To passed midshipman in
1856, after over three years service ON the
frigate st. Lawrence in the Pacific. He
served on the sloop Falmouth in the Bra
lillian squadron for short time, and then
was ordered to the steam frigate Merrimac
as acting master. The Merrimac was at
taehed to the Pacific squadron. During this
cruise he was promoted to master and to
lieutenant in 1858. He was detached from
the Merrimac in 1860, and after serving a
few months in Washington joined the Sar-
abOca, African squadron, and was detached
from herin January, S63, having been pro-
NOTED to lieutenant commander in 1862
on March 10, 1868, Lieut.. Commander
Ramsay was ordered to the Mississippi
sauadron, and assumed command or tie
Choctaw on the 22d. Ia the following
month he took part in the engagements at
Haines' Bluff, when the Choctaw was strntk
over fifty times. In May he was with the
expedition up the Yazoo River and in the
engagement at Liverpool Landing. In June
he was in the engagement at MilliRen's
E mr.
vented a disaster that might have been
far-reachIng for the Union troops were
driven back and in full retreat until the
gems of the Choctaw were brought to bear,
and the rebels, unable 10 stand their fire,
were forced TO retreat. In May, June and
July he took part in the operations Con-
nected with the siege Of Nicksburg, and
in June commanded force with three
heavy guns placed in scows at u point OPP
posite the iowa.
In August, 1868, Lieut.. Commander
Ramsay was ordered to command the Third
division of the Mississippi squadron. Thus
at the carly age, he flew his flag and ex-
ercised al the prerogatives OF fiag offlcer,
with the attendant responsibilities in Time
OF war From this time until October,
1864, he was actively employed against
the enemy, commanding the expedition up
the Black and Ouachita Rivers, IN March,
ls6A. and into the Atchafalaya River in
June. and he took part in the Red River ox-
pelition in March, April and May, 1864
After assuming command OF the Unalilla
in October, Lieut. Commander Ramsay
took part in the attacks on Fort Fisher,
was in the engagements with Fort Anderson
and other forts on the Cape Fear River, ana
was present at the capture OF Richmond.
IN 1865 he was detached and ordered 10
the Naval Academy after an arduous and
important war service, having been for
over two years almost constantly in the
nceoftheenemy. Shortly afteTl eEort-
inc at the Naval Academy he was promoted
to the grade Of commander.
Commander Ramsay was fleet captain
and chief of staff OF the South Atlantic
squadron in 1867 and 1868. In 1863
he assumed command of the Guerrero,
the flagship of that squadron, and was
shortly afterwards detached and ordered
10 the washin gtOn navy yard as inspector
of ordnance In 1872 and 1873 he was
naval attaChe to the Legations in Europe,
and then returned 20 duty in the Bureau OF
Ordnance. In 1874 he commanded the
Ossipee. In 1875 he was at the Naval
Asylum. Philadelphia, and while there de-
voted much time and care to increasing
the comforts of the odd veterans. In 1876,
1877, and 1878 he was inspector CT
ordnance at the New York navy yard,
having been promoted to captain in 1877.
Capt Ramsay had charge OF the tor
pedo station in 1878, 1879, and 1880.
This station has been an important factor
in the advance Of naval knowledge during
the creation of the new Navy. In 1851
Capt Ramsay commanded the Trenton, the
flagship Of the European station.
He was detached in the latter rart or
this year and ordered as superintendent OF
the Naval AGA denny, where he remained
for five years. ileCapt. Ramsay was at
the Naval Academy great advances were
being made in naval affairs, new ships
were being built and the various types
were rapidly changing, the requirements
for modern naval officer were greatly
increased, and a more scientific education
became necessity. As head of the Acad-
envy Board he devoted himself to le-
arrangement of the studies OF he nidship-
men TO meet these requirements, and as