Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1898-07-14
LASHED tARRAGUT TO THE MAST.
Commodore watson who is Going to Spain
Figured in That Famous Deed.

| Commodore John Crittenden Watson
who. with a fleet composed for the most
part of small ships has been maintaining
the blockade of Havana and other North
| Cuban ports in a manner which must
| win for him the admiration of his superb
or officers and the people as whole, aud
who Is to take an American squadron to
| the coast Of Spain. Is a man who by VIZ
| tue of his commission Is the senior of be, h
Sampson and Schcy, and yet reports to
the former. Commodore SChey is, on the
naval register Acting Rear Admiral
Simpsons senior by two numbers. and by
tho same token Commodore watson ranks
ahead of Schley.
| IT is probably not remembered by MANY
J nat II was this same commodore Watson,
/ hen II young lieutenant, who lashed Far-
ragut to the rigging during the battle OF
Mobile Bay. That incident Of the great
struggle between the states long Stree
became historic, and poets and artists
have found in II the inspiration for some
of their best and most spirited work. This
is the story briefly told.
The powerful Confederate ironclad Ten
ncssee attacked the Hartford lierCcly. Far
raput took up his position in the port
mizzcn rigging. the better TO observe the
progress of the fight. and to direct and
cheer on his men. Lieutenant Watson,
seeing the great danger to which the in
cured rope and dashed him In his place
In a letter which Lieut.. Watson wrote to
his mother after the battle he mentions
/ detail the reckless bravery of Farra-
gut. and adds:
2 AT length ! dashed him to the rigging
with my own hands, having in vain beg
grd HIM not stand in such an exposed
place"
b The relations which existed between
Admiral Farraut and his flag lieutenant
were Of the most affectionntc description
In his official report Of the Mobile battle
Farragut showed what he thought of
young Watson.
Lieutenant Watson" he wrote "hqs
been brought to your attention in former
times. 1le was on the poop attending the
times. He was on the pop attending the
signals and performed mis- duty. as might
be expected thoroughly. flc IL u scion
worthy of the noble stock he sprang from
and commend him to your attention"
I colnmodor" Watson's naval career mas
been notable one He entered the Naval
Academy Sept. 90, 1855 and was graduated
In June, 1850, standing high In his class
lie was Immediately assigned to the
rank Of mldshipman, and August II iolrcd
the Susquchanna IN that capacity for Il
cruise to Europe While he was abroad
the civil war broke out. ard he returned
at once to take part in IT,
He was promoted to the rank Of master
August 81, 1851. His career MS a fighter
did not really begin. however. until Jan
i" lSf2. when he was ordered 10 the Hart
ford as navigator. This was Admiral Far
raguts flagship. He was commissioned Il
lieutenant July 10. 1862 and in January
1864, he was made flag lieutenant to Far
rugut. lie was ut the battles OF New Or
leans, Mobile Ray. Nicksburg and Port
Hudson. In II letter to his son Loyal dur
ing the war Admiral Farragut tells him
Of Watson's volunteering to slip off and
blow up blockade runner. Among other
things he says:
1T was an anxious night for me as
am about as fond of Watson ms | am OF
your own dear self
The ship referred to by Farragut was
burncd-blown up as cffectually and com-
plctclN rs was the Merrimac the other
day by the heroic Hofson and his equally
heroic crew
At the close of the civil war Lieut. Wat
son was ordered to tho Colorado. on the
European station. He was made lieutenant
commander July %, 1855: commander Jan.
%, 1874; captain March s. 1851 and COM
modOre Nov, Z 1897. During the las; thir-
ty years he has commanded u number OF
the best ships in the navy and held i'm
portani posts on shore. His wife and I'M
married children reside at the NAVAL
Home IN Philadelphia Of which institution
H. MAS governor for number OF years.