The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-04-06

WASHINGTON. April 5.--Rear Admiral
Francis NJ. Ramsay. chief of the bureau
OF navigation. was placed on the retired
list today.
He was born just e years ago. In Wash
ington. ID. c.. coming from military stock.
his father having been a general in the
United States army He was a graduate
of the naval academy. and his first serv-
fee was on the frigate ST. Lawrence. in
1856. During the civil war Lieut.. Ramsay
distinguished himself by his bravery and
integrity In many OF the important naval
actions. first in the lower Mississippi, and
later on the South Atlantic coast. at
Fort Fisher and elsewhere. Commanding
the Choctaw, his vessel was struck over
fifty times by cannon shot In the engage
merits at Haines' Bluffs. Other engage
merfts In which he distinguished himself
were those at Liverpool Landing. Mill
ken's Bend and up the Yazoo river. At
Miilikeas Bend his vessel. the Choctaw
turned the fortunes OF the day. and came
up just IN time to save the Union troops,
who were in full retreat, and TO turn that
into an advance.
In 1855 Lieutenant Commander Ramsay,
at the early age OF = took command OF
the Third division of the Mississippi
river squadron with nag rank. and from
that time on he was IN the midst OF the
heavy fighting, commanding the expsii-
lions up the Back and Ouachita rivers.
into the Atchafalaya country and being
connected with the Red river expedition
Leaving the Mississippi. Lieutenant
Commander Ramsay saw harder service
on the Unadiiia at Fort Fisher. Fort An
cerson and other forts on Cape Fear
river. and he was present al the capture
OF Richmond
In ls65 ne was at the naval academy.
and was fleet captain OF the south At
tnrFiF IN
he was inspector OF ordnance AT the
Washington navy yard. naval attache 10
various European legations. commander
% the naval home In Philadelphia. in
charge Of the Newport torpedo station,
superintendent OF the naval academy and
a member OF the naval examining board.
As superintendent OF the academy he
made his mark by a thorough re-organiza-
ton. as far as IL was possible to do so
within the law. TO make The course meet
the needs OF the new navy juzt coming
into existence. His next important com
mand- was that OF the New York navy
yard. ard from that place he was trans
4erred in isS9 70 the navigation bureau
as chief 10 succeed Admiral Walker. That
ne discharged the manifold and reSpon-
Sibie duties OF this place With good judg-
rnent and fairness. was evidenced in his
re-sppHlntmeni for another term OF four
years in lsa3.
Altogether the retiring admiral has
been ore Of the most progressive and en-
ersettc officers in the naval service Of the
United States
TIE retirement Of Admiral Ramsay will
cause ne promotion OF Commodore Joseph
y Miller 70 he rank Of rear admiral Com
modo7e Miller IS at present comma daat
Of the Boston navy yard Il IS probable
thai he will also succeed 70 the head office
~ the bureau % navigation. although 9th
~ officers % inferior rank have been men,
toned IN connection with thts position
among them being Capt. tnow Comm eIore1
Henry /. Harrison. late commander OF
TIE oregon. Capt. Roelev = Evans OF the
Indiana Capt. Albert kaugz % the Wa
ossh. ara Capt Henry Clay Taylor. presl-
5ent q ihe war coilegs.