The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-16
CAPTAIN SIGsBEE.
Sketch of the officer i'm Command of
Ine Battle ship Maine.

Ine Battle ship Maine.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 26.--Captain Sigsbee,
commander of the Maine, served war ap-
premiership during the rebellion, immedi-
ately after graduating from the Annapolis
Naval Academy. He was appointed a cadet
at the Naval Academy from New York
In 1850, and when he graduated four years
later he was promoted to ensign and as
signed to duty on the Monongahela. where
he remained until 1864, when he was as
signed to the Brooklyn. 1t was with this
vessel that he participated in the battle
OF Mobile bay under Farragut in August,
1864. Subsequently he was a participant in
both attacks on Fort Fisher, as we'll as the
final assault which resulted in the capture
of that place in 1866.
Shortly after the close of the rebellion he
was made a lieutenant commander, and
ever since he has occupied positions of trust
and responsibility in the navy and the coast
and geodetic survey. While in charge of
the survey steamer Blake he paid particular
attention to exploring the Gulf of Mexico
and invented a system of deep sea sound
ings and what is known as a gravitating
trap for bringing up specimens of water
from any certain depth. For a score of
years he has been interested in scientific
and artistic affairs connected with his de-
partment, and has reputation as clever
etcher and free-hand drawer, having de-
veloped these talents while connected with
tho photographic Office chief of that
bureau.
A former classmate of Captain Sigsbee at
the Naval Academy describes him as being
a man who could be trusted to acquit him
self creditably in any emergency that
might arise. There is no doubt as to his
courage as well as discretionl and it would
have been difficult to find a safer man to
have sent to Havana at such a time. He
would quickly resent any act of intimda-
tion or insult that might be offered to
American citizens or their representatives,
and at the same time would not do any
thing that would be considered foolhardy
or rash. He is accustomed to command
having been in responsible positions for the
last thirty years, and in every instance he
has acquitted himself with credit TO him
self and the government. His experience
during the rebellion will stand him in good
service now and his men will find that they
have in him a commander who is on a par
with fighting Bob Evans the hero of the
Valparaiso (Chile) affair several years ago.
Whlle Captain Sigsbee may not be as dash
ing In his manners as Captain Evans, he is
equally brave in the face of danger.
shortly after becoming a captain and be-
ing assigned to the command of the Maine
Captain Sigsbee gave an illustration of his
presence of mind in New York harbor. His
battle ship was bearing down on an excur-
sion boat in the East river. Ahead was the
excursion boat full of human beings. On
either side was barge. The only clear way
showed a pier. The old commander ordered
his engines reversed, and to the amazement
of the beholders he steered straight for the
pier and it amuck. The pier was badly
torn up, the Names nose was bruised, but
several hundred human lives were saved.
The excursion boat ran clear, but ten loaded
freight cars, that were standing on the pier
went to the bottom of the river. There is no
doubt as to Captain Sigsbee's relative valu-
alton of human life and property. About
$4,000 in property was destroyed, but 100
lives were saved. That was not a bad ten
minutes work for a man whose business it
is to kill. There was court of inquiry con-
vened at that time, but Captain Sigsbee was
acquitted of any blame in the matter. and.
figuratiyely speaking. was patted on the
back by the secretary of the navy. who
commended his humane action as the proper
thing under the circumstances.
Captain Sigsbee has just passed the half
century mark in life, and is OF spare fig
ure and about five feet seven inches in stat
ure. His dark hair is just becoming tinged
with gray and swarthy complexion is ac-
centuated by eyeglasses, which are indis
pensable for the commander Of the Maine
Owing to his artistic and scientific inter-
ests there was some criticism as to whether
ne would be proper commander for a
man-of-war, but when the suggestion was
made to his brother officers and former as
sociates they were unanimous in expressing
the belief that a more conscientious or
courageous officer could not be found for
the duty TO which he has been assigned