The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-06-06
CAPTAIN GRIDLEY IS DEAD
COMMANDER OF DEWEY's FLAG
SHIP AT MANILA
The First Officer of Great Promi-,
nence to Lose His Life as n Direct
Result of the War with Spain
Capt. Gridley's Career From Mid.
shipman to the Command of the
Olympia.


shipman to the Command of the
Olympia.
WASHINGTON, D. c., June 5.-Capt.
Charles V. Gridley, commander of the
cruiser Olympia and one of the heroes
Of the victory at Manila, is dead. The
announcement of his death was receiv-
ed by the navy department late this
afternoon in cablegram from Pay
master Gait, of the navy, dated at
Kobe, Japan, June 4, and directed to
Secretary Long. The dispatch con-
tained this simple statement:
Capt Gridley died today. Remains
accompany me on Coptic.''
Capt. Gridley is the first American
officer of'great prominence whose death
is direct result of the war with
Spain. AS commander Of Admiral
Dewey's flagship and one Of the ad-
miraPs advisers. Capt. Gridley achiev-
ed distinction at the battle of Manila
bay and added to his previous laurels
by winning high praise from his su-
periors in the service for distinguished
gallantry and ability. He fought his
ship from the coming tower, while Ad-
miral Dewey directed the movements
of the squadron from the bridge of
the vessel.
1t was not known for several weeks
after the engagement that Capt Grid
ley had suffered injury, and even now
the precise nature of his trouble is not
known.
On the arrival Of the Seaf1re at Hong
Kong on May "a the navy department
was notified that Capt. Gridley had
been condemned by a board of medical
survey and "invalided home" Subse-
quent advices received by the depart
ment indicated that Capt. Gridley was
suffering from the effects of a rupture
supposed to have been received during
the battle at Manila, but no details
were made known. 1t was not sup
posed that his illness was very serious,
as the navy department was Informed
that the captain, in company Of Pay
master Gait, would leave for home as
soon as possible.
DIED AT KOBE.
On May % they left Hong Kong OF
the steamer Coptic, one Of the vessels
Of the Occidental & Oriental Steamship
line. IT would appear that Capt. Grid
ley died about the time the ship reach
ed Kobe
Capt. Gridley was not a dress pa
rsde" officer, but among the Older off
GERS of the, service, especially among
those with whom he served he had the
reputation of being one of the best
equipped officers of the navy. He was
regarded as being one of the best navi-
gators of the service, and his thorough
knowledge of all it's requirements thor
oughly warranted the remark of Ad-
miral Ramsey that "Gridley is one Of
the brainest and pluckiest officers in
the naval service
Dispatches from Manila concerning
the battle indicated that Commodore
Dewey had the greatest confidence in
Capt. Gridley; that he did not inter-
fere in the slightest degree with his
management and handling of the ship;
that he told him to fire whenever ready;
that the broadside which sunk the
Spanish flagship was Gridley's own act.
The bravery and ability of Capt. Grid
ley were recognized by the president,
and had he lived, promotion, doubtless,
would have been his substantial re-
ward.
Capt. Gridley leaves a widow and
son, who are now residing with Mrs.
Gridley's father. Judge Vincent, at
Erie. Pa. His mother, Mrs. Ann Eliza
Gridley, and his brother, Lucius, re-
side in this city, the former being a
clerk in the patent office, and the lat
ter an employe in the treasury depart
ment All of the relatives were noti-
fled of his death as soon as the infor-
nation reached the navy department.
GRIDLEY'S CAREER.
Capt Charles Vernon Gridley was born
in Logansport, Ind, in 1845, but was ap-
pointed to the naval academy from Hiilsiale,
Mich. in 1860 by Representative Henry Wal
dron. the Gridleys having moved from In
diana to Michigan when their son Charles
was only three months old.
The facts here given or the life Of Capt.
Gridley are taken from a sketch Of him writ
ten by Henry Smith, ex-journal clerk Of the
house of representatives, longtime person
al friend
Under ordinary circumstances the class
Of 1860 would have been graduated in 1864,
but the necessities of the Civil war advanced
it one year. On Oct. 1, 1863, Gridley was
made ensign and ordered to the scam
slcop Oneida, then with he West Gulf
blockading squadron, in which squadrin he
remained until the close Of the war.
He was in the battle Of Mobile bay on Aug.
s, 1864, where his coolness and bravery ", re
noted. After the wer ended he was assigned
to the steam sloop Brooklyn. which was the
flagship of the Brazilian squadron, with
which he served until 1867, being promoted
to master in November, 1866 A year Sater
he was again promoted to lieutenant and
on March II. 1868. was again promoted and
commissioned lieutenant commander.
In 1870 he was assigned to the steamer
Michigan four rate) where he served two
years Early in 1873 he was assigned to the
Monongahela Second rate), serving one year.
and in February, 1875. was detailed as in
structor at the naval academy at Annapolis,
where he remained four years, serving dur
ing the summer cruises of 1877 and 1878 rs
executive officer Of the practice ship Con-
stelation.
In 1879 he was made executive officer of the
United States flagship Trenton on the Eu-
ropean station, serving from December, 1879,
to November. 1881. On March /, 1882, he was
promoted to commander, and during that
summer was on duty at the torpedo station.
From October, 1882. to February, 1884 ne
was chief navigation officer of the Boston
navy yard. On Feb. IS. 1884, he was Or
dered to command the training ship James,
town, and on May II, 1884, was detached
ing ship Portsmouth. From June to No
yember, 1885. he was the senior officer of
the cruising training squadron.
In July. 1887, he was inspector of the Tenth
Iishthouse district, and stationed at Buffalo
where he served until October. 1891 From
October, 1891, to July. 1882 he was assigned
to special duty at The the navy yard IN Wash
tba command Marion IIrlv 4