The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-06-30
of the Pathfinder, % and the Dupont,
by Lieutenant G. S. Wood.


"Fighting Bob and the lows.
The battleship Iowa, commanded by
Fighting Bob' Evans is the most for
midable battleship in the United States
navy. Her displacement is IL, 40 tons;
she has speed of 16 knots; her horse
power is II, 900, and she cost So, O10,-
900. Her armament consists of four ID
inch guns, eight s inch guns, six inch
and 20 guns of smaller caliber.
Captain Evans was born in Virginia
in 1916, and during his boyhood broke
colts, shot rabbits and attended such
country schools as the mountains of
Virginia in those days afforded. Upon
the death of his father in 1855 young
Evans went to live with his uncle, Al
exander H. Evans, in Washington.
Here he attended Gonzaga college,
well known and excellent Catholic in
stitution which has turned out many
good men. In 1859 he was offered an
appointment to the Naval academy by
Mr.. William Hooper, delegate in Con-
gress from Utah. With 5000 and navy
revolver this young aspirant for naval
honors started for Salt Lake City, which
he reached after a hard passage and aft
er he had been shot twice by Indians.
In 1860 he joined his class at the Naval
academy, Annapolis, and afterward,
during the war, served as midshipnlan
and ensign. He served on board the
frigate Powhatan in the flying squad
ron under Admiral Lardner, and also
in the east gulf under the same officer,
afterward in the north Atlantic under
Admiral Porter and Commodore
Schenck. It was during this sea service
that he participated in the desperate as
sault upon and capture of Fort Fisher.
It will be remembered that a forlorn
hope made up of volunteers from tie
feet was sent against the up to that
time impregnable works, and ''Fight-
ing Bob, - yet mere lad, was one of
the volunteers. 1t was one of the most
desperate and sanguinary assaults of
the war. He was commissioned as lieu
tenant in 1865, and as lieutenant COM
mander in 1868. Subsequently he held
various commands until appointed to
the Iowa. Captain Evans is man of
robust build, 80 years of age. His face
is scanned by heavy lines. He walks
with limp, caused by a wound receiv-
ed in battle He looks his age, every
day of it, and he also looks the typical
sea dog. He is the very man to follow
or lead. Cool, but still full of enthu-
siasm; hardy and stout, but alert in ev-
cry fiber.
Captain Chadwick and the New York.
The armored cruiser New York flag
ship Of the feet), commanded by Cap
tain F. E. Chadwick, has a displace-
ment of 8, 200 tons, her speed is 81
knots an hour, and she cost So, 900, 900.
She carries six inch guns, twelve
inch and 16 guns of smaller caliber.
Captain French E. Chadwick was
-
Naval academy from that state in 1861.
He was attached to the steam sloop Sus-
quehanna Brazil squadron, 1866; the
steam sloop Juniata, south Atlantic
squadron, 1867. He has been attached
to several other vessels since then until
his appointment to the New York.
The battleship Indiana, commanded
by Captain Henry G. Taylor, has dis
placement of 10, 2S9 tons, has a speed
of 10. 3 knots an hour, and cost So, 02O,-
600. She carries four IS inch guns,
eight inch guns, four 6 inch and 80
guns of a smaller caliber Her mammoth
10 inch guns are mounted in turrets,
two forward and two aft.
Captain Taylor is a native of New
York state and was appointed to the
Naval academy in 1860. He was pro-
NOTED ensign in 1868, and was attached
to the steam sloop Richmond, west
gulf blockading squadron, 1868, and
participated in the battle Of Mobile bay
in 1864 He was promoted master in
1865; was attached to the steam sloop
Powhatan, south Pacific squadron,
1867, and was commissioned as lieu
tenant in 1866. He was commissioned
lieutenant commander in 1868; was at
tached to the frigate Sabine on special
cruise in 1869, and was employed on
surveying expedition 1901. He was
attached to the Naval academy 1924;
torpedo station 1875, and to the expert
mental battery, Annapolis, 1855.