The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-06-06
Commander of Dewey's Flag
ship, the Olympia,
Passes Away While JOurneying
HOmeWard on the COptic.
WAS HURT AT MANILA
And Was Coming Home to Get
Well.
He 1t Was Who Sank the Span
ish Flagship.

Washington, June 6.-Captain Chas.
V. Gridley, commander of the cruiser
Olympia, and one of the heroes of the
brilliant victory at Manila, is dead.
The announcement of his death was re-
ceived by the navy department late
in a cablegram from Paymaster Gait,
of the navy, dated at Kobe, Japan,
June 4, and directed to Secretary Long
The dispatch contained this simple
statement:
Captain Gridley died today. Re
mains accompany me on Coptic."
Captain Vernon Gridley is the first
American officer of great prominence,
whose death is a direct result of the
existing war with Spain. AS the COM
mander of Admiral Dewey's splendid
flagship and one of the admiraIs chief
advisers, Captain Gridley achieved dis
tinction at the battle of Manila bay
and added to his previous laurelS by
winning high praise from his SuperiorS
in the service for distinguished gal
lantry and ability. He fought his ship
from the coming tower, while Admiral
Dewey directed the movements of his
squadron from the bridge of the YES
sci.
1t was not known for several weeks
after the engagement that Captain
Gridley had suffered from it; and even
now the precise nature of his trouble
is not disclosed. Upon the arrival of
the Seafiro at Hong Kong on the Goth
OF May, the navy department was nOJl-
fed that Captain Gridley had been con-
demned by board of medical survey
and 'invalided' home. Subsequent ad-
vices received by the department in
dictate that Captain Gridley was suf-
fering from the effects of a rupture
supposed to have been received during
the battle at Manila, but no details
were given. 1t was not supposed that
his illness was very serious, as the de-
partment was informed that the cap
tain, in company with Paymaster Gait,
would leave for home as soon as pos
sible.
On the 2Sth of May they left Hong
Kong on the steamer Coptic, one of the
vessels of the Occidental and Oriental
steamship line. 1t would appear that
Captain Gridley died about the time
the ship reached Kobe. 1t is quite evil
dent now that he considered his case
serious, as he did not communicate, so
far as is known, with any members of
his family, after the battle of Manila.
Captain Gridley was not a dress
parade officer. Among the older Of
fcers, however, especially among those
with whom he served, he had the rep
utation of being one of the best equip
ped officers of the navy. He was re-
garded as one of the best naVigatorS in
the service and his thorough knowledge
of all details and requirements fully
justified the remark of Admiral Ram
saw that "Gridley is one of the brainiest
and Quickest officers in the naval ser
vice"
Dispatches from Mania concerning
the battle indicated that Commodore
Dewey had the utmost confidence in
Captain Gridley; that he never inter
fered in the slightest degree with his
management and handling of the ship;
that he toll him to fire whenever ready,
and that the broadside which sunk the
flagship of the Spanish admiral was
Gridley's own conception and act. The
distinguished bravery and ability OF
Captain Gridley were recognized by the
president, and had he lived, promotion
doubtless would have been his substan-
tial reward.
Captain Gridley leaves a wife and
three chiIdren-two daughters and a
sOn-who are now residing with Mrs.
Gridley's father, Judge Vincent, at
Erie. Pa. His mother. Mrs. Ann Eliza
GridIey. and his brother LucIus, re-
sides in this city, the former being
clerk in the patent office, and the latter
an employee in the treasury department.
Captain Gridley was born in Logans-
port, Ind, in 1915, but was appointed
70 the naval academy from Hillsdale,
Mich. in 1850, by Representative Henry
Waldron, the Gridleys having removed
from Indiana to Michigan, when their
son Charles was only three months Old.