The San Francisco call., 1897-10-19
Was One of the Few Rem ain
ing Veterans Who Made
Our Navy Famous.
OVER HALF A CENTURY IN
THE SERVICE.
B1ost C oricus o. His Achievements
& Was HIS Battle With Confed-
crate Ram MerrImaC.
Special Dispatch to THE CALL

WASHINGTON. D. c. Oct. IS - Rear
Admiral John L. Worden, retired, died in
this city to-day. Pneumonia was the i'm
mediate cause of Worden's death. He was
so years OF age, and up to last Saturday
was in very good health.
Admiral Worden was one of the few re-
naming heroes.of that old regiment which
made the United Safes navy so glorious
in lis achievements. For nearly two
thirds of Il century he vas a naval officer.
John Lorimer Worden WAS born in West
chester County, n. Y, March II, 1918 He
entered the navy midshipman jan
uary II, 1885 attended the naval school at
Phiiadel phia in l840 and became passed
midshipnan on July 10 of that year. He
was promoted to Lieutenant November 80.
1916, nd served on various vessels and AT
The naval observatory till the civil war
In April, 1861, he delivered the orders
from the Secretary of the Navy by which
Fort Pickens was saved Cor the Union, and
upon his attempt to return to the North
overland he was arrested and confined as
prisoner of war for seven months.
when he was exchanged he was ordered
TO superintend the ompletion OF John
EricssOn's Monitor, and appointed to take
command. He left New York hastily in
this vessel. and after experiencing great
danger arrived at Hampton ROADS. On
March S, 1852, the Confederate lronclad
ram MeIrimac had come down from Nor
folk and had sunk the Congress and the
Cum berland. Worden anchored alon gside
OF the Minnesota, then aground on the
shoal, and prepared to defend the feet
when the MerTlInac reappaared. Eiriy
-, a
pared 10 attack the Minnesota, but when
she was within mile of the ship, the
Monitor steamed out. The Merrimac
: fired broadside upon the Monitor, but all
the shots that struck her turret glanced
off; the Monitor fired deliberately about
every seven minutes, every shot taking
eff-ct- Wolden endeavored to get as close
as possible, while the Merrimac fired as
rapidly as the guns could be served. The
duel continued for more than two hours,
when the Merrlmac attempted 10 ram the
Monitor, but Worden avoided the blow
by maneuverlng, so the ram glanced off,
WoTden had orders not to use heavy
C argos, as the 1l-inch guns were con-
sldered too weak for more than 15-pound
charges, with which he could not penetrate
the Merrimac's heavy armor. At 80
A. II. shell exploded on the pilot-house
OF The Monitor while Worden was looking
through The slit and the powder and
ing him blind and helpless. Lieutenant
Greene, the second in command, con-
tInued the action, but the Merrimac soon
withdrew TO N.rfolk. 1t was a drawn
battle, but the Merrimac was prevented
from accomplishing her purpose of de-
stroying The national feet ana eventually
securing the independence of the Con-
federates by capturing Washington. New
York and other cities, as had been ex-
pected.
hUnors were showered upon Worden
Tor tbs service. Congress gave him a
vote Of thanks July II, 1862, and again on
February 3. 1863, and commended him
10 be advanced one grade for his conduct
in this conflict. He WAS commissioned q
commander July 10, 1862, and in accord
ance with the second vote of thanks, was
promoted TO captain February 5, 1863. He
recovered from the injuries 10 his eyes
Nand commanded the monitor Monlauk in
kle South Atlantic bl, cEading squadron
from January till June, 1863. In order 10
test the ability OF the monitors to stand
heavy gun-hre from forts Wordcn was
sent 10 engage Fort McAllister, at Gene