The San Francisco call., 1898-05-03
HEROES OF THE BATTLE OF MANILA
Sketches of the Commanders Who Assisted Rear Admiral
 Dewey to Win the Great Victory for the Flag.

He is a graduate of Annapolis, having been appointed from Illinois in 1S60 He was commissioned lieutenant in 1866, lieu tenant-commander two years later and commander in 1882. He is well known on this coast, having been stationed at Mare Island during 1SS6-SS, and having com manded vessels at different times in these waters. He is one of the most popular of officers, and fairly idolized by his crew. No one who knows him ever doubted that he would make a record when opportun- ity offered. His initial war service was in the battle of Manila Bay. Ills present command was assumed March 2S, 1897.
 Captain Charles Vernon Gridley of the Olympia Is a Hoosier by birth, and was appointed to the United States Naval Academy from Michigan in 1860, graduat- ing three years later. He was in the bat tie of Mobile Bay in 1864, and knew what fighting was before he assisted in teach ing the Spaniards the costly lesson of April 30. Along with Captain Dyer and other naval chiefs of to-day, he ran the Mobile gauntlets with Farragut and saw with his own eyes victory come to com mander who sailed his fleet up to line Of torpedoes, and then, seeing them, said, Damn the torpedoes,' and sailed on over them without stacking speed. He was well fitted in every way for the service demanded of him in the early hours of Saturday morning, when the American fleet forced the passage into the harbor of the capital of the Philippines. He was commissioned lieutenant in 1867; leuten- ant commander a year later, and com mander in 1882. He was appointed to the command of the Olympia last July.
 Captain N. Mayo Dyer of the Baltimore entered the volunteer navy in 1881 as masters mate, and served in the gulf squadron until he was promoted to acting ensign for gallant and meritorious ser vice. He gave up a leave of absence to be with Farragut at Mobile Bay. He won much distinction in the civil war, and his hazardous exploits would make a large sized volume While cruising off the Mexican coast, in command of the Ossi- pee, in 1870, the vessel encountered hur- ricane, and one of the sailors was swept into the sea. Commander Dyer, who was taking an observation on the poop-deck, immediately turned a bowline in the end of boat fall, jumped into the sea and saved the man from sharks or drowning. For this act he received a medal and was publicly thanked. He was promoted commander in 1883, and to the captaincy of the Baltimore last August. His bro- ther commanders envy his splendid sail ership.
 Commander Benjamin Peffer Lamber ton of the Boston was appointed to the United States Naval Academy from Pennsylvania, his native State, in 1S6l, graduati in 1884, He received a lieu tenants commission in 1867; was ap- pointed lieutenant commander in 1868, and commander in 1885. He has served as lighthouse inspector and member Of the bureau of yards and docks, is we'll liked, efficient officer, and has seen four teen years of actual sea service. Like Captain Coghlan, his first war service was in the Philippines.
 Commander Asa Walker of the Con- cord was appointed from New Hamp- shire, November 21, 1862; made ensign m 1868, and master year later. In 1884 he was appointed lieutenant commander, and in 1894 commander. He assumed com mand of the Concord on the Astatfc sta tion May p, 1897. He is thorough-going American and an able and sagacious officer.
 Commander Edward P. Wood, a native | of the Buckeye State, entered the navy | as midshipman in 1863; was promoted to | ensign in 1868: master in 1870, ana lieu tenant a year later. In 1890 he was made lieutenant commander, and on July 13 | 1897, commander. He has been in com on the Asiatic station. In his naval career of thirty-five years, Commander Wood | has been unemployed but thirteen months, and is esteemed for his excellent qualities | both as a man and a sailor.
 Commander Albon c. Hodgson is one of l the younger officers of the squadron, hay ing been appointed from Georgia in 1871. | He became midshipman in 1875; ensign in | the centennial year; lieutenant In 1SSS He had been on duty at the naval academy | short while. when he was sent a few months ago to the Asiatic station, and | assigned to the Mccullough.