The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-03-23
BLAKELY.
Reminiscsnce OF a Naval Hero Ct the WsE
of S12-He Was a Wilmington Boy.

EEEyFt:s -
Reminiscsnce OF a Naval Hero CT the WfE
of 1s12-He Was a Wilmington Boy.
Among the many distinguished ava
officers of the war of 1912 there were
none whose career was more brilliant
and romantic han he whose name
heads this article, and yet how many
of our people are aware of the fact
hat his early life was passed in this
] very town. Yet so it was, and in rak-
ing among the ashes Of the past We
have gathered a few items concerning
him which nay perhaps ~momentarily
interest a few Of our readers.
In the year 1888 an Irishman with
his wife and two young children sail
ed from Ireland for America, and
landed first at Charleston, but after
a very brief stay in that place they
removed to Wilmington, and lived, so
tradition reports, upon the lot at the
corner Of Front and Num- streets, now
the property Of Mr.. James Sprunt. Not
many months after their settlement
here the parents died and were buried
in the then common receptacle for the
dead, the graveyard adjoining st.
James church, and the helpless little
ones were left to he cold charity OF
the world. One Of those children, but
five years old when thus deprived OF
the watchful care OF his parents, vas
Johnston Blakely. He who tempers
the wind to the shorn lamb" raised UP
a friend for that helpless boy in the
person OF Edward Jones, a very
prominent membe of the bar and
subsequently solicitor general Of the
state. He adopted the orphan boy, di-
rected his education and was as afath
er unto him. When nineteen years OF
age Blakely was appointed a midship-'
man in the United States navy and
his talents and aptitude for the duties
Of his profession won him rapid pro-
motion and the war with England in
1912 developed his remarkable ability
and heroism.
In 1914 he was appointed to the COM
mand OF the sloop Of dar Wasp and
early in that year he sailed on that
cruise which was one Of the most bril-
liant in our annals. In June Of that
year he appeared off the English coast,
announcing his presence by the cap
ture Of the English ship OF war Rein
deer after an action OF but nineteen
minutes. He was successful in every
engagement and the ships of the en-
envy who were so unfortunate as to
meet him were compelled to acknowl-
edgs his superior powers and to pay
homage to his %gallantry and skill. The
country was electrified and awaited his
return TO bestow fresh hOnors on him.
But, alas, he returned no more. On the
4th OF November, 1914, the brig Atlanta
arrived at Savannah with dispatches
from Blakely that was the last
authentic information ever received of
him. Whether he ~foundered at sea or
went down amid the roar of battle, was
never known, the restless ocean gave
no sign, nor did the wild winds syllable
the mystery of his fate.
Thus persisted at the early age Of SO
years Johnston Blakely, one of the
most gallant officers in our navy and
whom We think we have h right to
claim as a Wilmington boy, for this
was his first home in America. There
it was that his infant days were pass
ed NJ where he grew into dusty
youth, and in the old graveyard of st.
James the ashes of his ancestors have
reposed for more than a century. He
wrote his name full high upon tho
scroll Of fame and is it at all
able hat we should cleaim for our
town a portion Of that glory which he
shed upon his country's history.
By his marriage in 1913 he had one
child, a daughter, named Udney, and
the general assembly Of North Caro-
lima in 1916 unanimously decreed that
she should be educated at the expense
OF the state, which resolve was faith
fully carried out. She grew to woman
hood, married and moved with her
husband to st. Croix where she died
during the first year OF her married
life.
Mr.. Jones, the patron OF Blakely, re-
moved from Wilmington to Pittsboro,
Chatham county, where he died in
1912.
Jurors for the United States D~istricEsCourt
The following nave been drawn for