The times., 1898-09-11
MAKING OF AN ADMIRAL.
The Training Before the Days O
the United States Naval Academy

interest in the victories of Dewsy's old
commander. the hero Of New Orleans and
Mobile Bay. We suspect, however, that
many who have read with interest the
triumphs of our first admiral have never
gone over the record of the hard school
in which he learned how to be an ad-
miral He was no lucky accident, no
creature of political favor. AS boy, youth
and man he had been in the navy fifty
him his great first opportunity.
The Ferraguts Ito give the Spanish
spelling) were an old Spanish family, ac-
tive in war, politics and ecclesiastical
matters long before the days of Ger
vantes. George Farragut, the admirars
father, left home in 1772. wandered for
some time. and came to this country early
in 1776. Ardent as a revoiutionist. he en-
tered on a singular career. He was a
sailing master in the navy, a major OF
cavalry, surveyor, magistrate, a dar-
ing boatman, a farmer, and follower
of Jackson in the Seminole war. Ger
yantes hardly led a more varied life than
George Farragut The admirars mother
came of good Scotch blood, and inherited
the courage of her foIefathers David's
earliest memory went back to day when
his father being absent on military duty,
several hostile Indians sought to enter
the house, but were driven away by an
ak in the hands of the resolute matron
1t would be interesting to know more
about such progenitors. but Mrs. Farra-
gut died before her distinguished son
was eight years old. Shortly afterward
the boy left home. long cruises followed.
and he never saw his father again.
George Farragut died in 1917, when his
son was in the Mediterranean. A young
midshipman is not likely to be student
of ancestral influence, and by the time
Farragut was old enough to reflect on
heredity the family traditions were dim
or lost.
Young David's earliest years were spent
on his fathers farm in Tennessee but
his father subsequently, received naval
appointment, was ordered TO Now Or
leans, and removed his family to that
city. David. under his fathers tuition.
becarne an apt boatman. A naval officer
named Porter, who fell seriously ill. was
haksn to the Farragut residence and
cared for until he died. Mrs Farragut
soon after died of yellow fever Porter's
son, Commander David Porter, a young
officer with a capital record of West In
dian and Mediterranean service. was SUBJ
sequently ordered to the command of the
naval station at New Orleans. Porter
expressed his gratitude to Farragut, the
elder. and offered to adopt one of his sons.
William was already midsh 5pman and
George was an infant, and eiSht-year-ofd
David was the choice. Porter took his
adopted child with him to Washington
and introduced him to the Secretary of
the Navy, who promised to appoint him
a midshfpman as soon as he should reach
the age of ten. The Secretary was bet
ter than his word. as Farraguts name
was placed on the list before he was nine
years and six months old.
bright pupil fell into the hands of an
excellent teacher. Porter was a con-
scienticus guardian, who sent his charge
to good schools and watched over him
with paternal care. In August 1911. Por-
ter took command of the frigate Essex
and the little MILDLY went to sea
Winter gale nearly wrecked the ship but
she beat into port and the midshipmen,
probably to their disgust. were sent to
school again. The war of 1872 saw the
Essex into active service. She took sew
eral prizes, narrowly escaped a powerful
enemy, and three times looked for a fight
only 10 meet with disappointment Far
ragut saw how a well-discipIined crew
can suppress an uprising of prisoners
Cannon, musketry, and cutlass drill made
the Essex u famous ship. One who reads
of Porters kindness to his protege is re-
minded of Capt. Sucking, the affection
ate uncle who did so much for Nelson in
his early years.
From skirmishing the Essex turned to
f1 f,,
weather marked her passage round Cape
horn Sometimes the men found their
rations so short that they were glad to
eat wild horses; sometimes fruit doves
and terrapin refreshed the mess Farra-
gut learned how to load provisions in
waters when sharks and alligators made
the upsetting of boat somewhat trying
to the nerves. When only twelve he took
command of a British whaler and carried
her into Valparaiso. The English cap-
tain objected to boyish rule and threat
ened 10 shoot the young prize master
Farragut promised TO have him thrown
overheard If he attempted it, and calm
ness reigned supreme. During a stay at
the MarqueSas Islands Porter made his
young midshinmen study to good purpose,
but also gave them sufficient time to frol-
ic with the native boys, who were admi-
rable tutors in swimming. spear throw
ing and walking on stills. A malcontent
sought to raise a mutiny, but the sight
of Porter's cutlass led him to jump over
board and swim to shore. Every day
taught the young midshipman some new
fact in geography or lesson in discipline
After a long run of successes, after
taking many prizes and supplying her
wants from the enemy. the Essex was to
feel the bitterness of defeat. The neu-
trality of the port of Valparaiso, scrupu>
lously respected by Porter, was not re-
spected by Capt Hillyar, of the Phoebe
Indeed, Hillyar's direct promise to respect
the law of neutrality was broken in the
time of trial. However. Capt. Hillyar
was a good seaman, a brave man and a
humane victor. Even today the combat
is exciting. How the Essex strove to get
out to sea, how squall carried away the
maintopmast, how the Phoebe and Cherub
attacked the crippled American frigate,
how long and gallantly she fought, how
Hillyar kept away and used every ad-
vantage to the utmost-that fight can
never grow dim. Farragut saw blood
flow, was spattered with the brains of a
sailor and was knocked down a hatch
way by dead body falling on him. He
saw all that was horrible and most he
roic in a sea fight. OF course he had q
boyish heartbreak over the result but in
: : later years he said that all his devotion
to his guardian could not make him for
get two facts-Porter was 81. while Hill
var was So Many were Porter's merits.
STILL eighteen more years gave Hillyar
cool Judgment which took no chances and
made assurance doubly sure.
Capt. Hillyar paroled his prisoners and
sent them home in cartel. An American
battery. mistaking the vessel for an enc
NV opened fire. none of the shots taking
effect. Farragut said that this experience
taught him that iswas not always danger
Gus TO face battery. He certainly re-