Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-06-15
COMING NAVAL CHANGES.
Rear-Admiral Kirkland VIII Retire
for Age. July 3.
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Acting-Admiral William T. Sampson
commanding the naval forces operating III
the West Indies, whose actual rank III
the navy is that of captain, will become
commodore on the Sd proximo by the
statutory retirement for age of Rear
Admiral William A. Kirkland. command
ant OF the Mare Island cad navy-yard,
who Is now the ranking officer OF the
navy In the event of the successful per-
Torrance of the important duties assigned
him in the West Indies, including the
capture and occupation of santiago ue
Cuba and San Juan, Porto Rico, or Whlch
his friends have no doubt whatever, Cap
tain Sampson is also assured or Iurthel
promotion to the actual rank OF rear
admiral, being the highest grade to when
he can attain unless Congress shall re-
create the grade of admiral or vice-ad-
mral for his special benefit. Those ON
ces we're established during the war be-
tween the States, and lapsed with the
death OF their last incumbents-Admlral
Porter and Vice-Admiral Rowan. Inc
plan Of promotion adopted by President
Mckinley i'm the cases OF Admiral Dewey
and his captains for their great achieve
ment in the harbor of Manila will be I'M
doubtedy followed in the case OF similar
victories by Admiral Sampson and his
captain. on this side of the water.
RETIREMENT OF OTHER ADMIRALS.
In addition TO Admiral Kirkland, five
other admirals will retire during the next
few months. by operation of law on ac-
count of age They are Admiral Joseph
=. Miller. commanding the Pacific sta
ton: Admiral Montgomery Sicard, presi-
dent of the Naval War Board; Admird.
T.. O. Matthews, president of the EX-
aiming and Retiring Board; Admiral
f. s. Bunce, commandant OF the New
York navy yard, and Admiral G. ). Nor
ton, commandment of the Washington
navy-yard. With the exception of Adj
miral Miller all OF these officers are
likely to be retained in their present
places after their retirement during the
continuance of the war with Spain. be-
cause OF the non-availablity of officers
on the active list for the duties performed
by them. Retired officers are subject to
duty OF this kind in time of war at the
discretion OF the President. 1t is dine-
rent, however, with Admiral Miller. He
is in command Of a fleet, and retired
officers are not eibible for such duty I'M
less specially authorized by act OF Con-
gress.
ADMIRAL KIRKLAND'S CASE.
The case Of Admiral Kirkland is remark
able from the fact that he is the first
officer from the South TO reach the high
est grade In the navy since the civil war
In fact, there are very few officers from
the South in any of the higher grades
Admiral Kirkland is a native of North
| Carolina, and it is his purpose TO make
his home in that State when he is relieved
| from duty. OF the seven rear-admirals
,,,1 - a
| miral Miller, commanding the Pacific
squadron, and Admiral Dewey. command
| ing the Asiatic squadron. OF the six of.
J ficers having flag commands. two are full
rear-admirals, one an acting rear-admiral
and the others are commodores. Ad
! mral Miller the senior officer. has three
vessels in his squadron, and Acting Rear
| Admiral Sampson, the junior Of then
| all, has over seventy vessels under
| his command. The last-named Officer
| does not attain the actual rank OF a flag
| officer until he becomes a commodor,
next month by the retirement of Admira
! Kirkland. His rank as captain which hi
now bears In the naval register, would
| not ordinarily entitle him TO a higher
| command than of a single vessel, and IN
| putting him in command Of the larges
| and most powerful fleet that was eve
| gathered under the United States flag
the President found It necessary to giy'
him the nominal rank of acting rear
admiral That designation clothed hin
with all the authority necessary to tn
execution of the highly. important dut!
confded to him. but carried with ii NJ
increase of pay or emoluments and n,
permanency OF rank. No greater com
| pliment was ever paid an officer of tn
| limited States navy, and IL is believed hi
work will show that It was not misplaced