The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-03-25
CAPT. SAMPSON In CHARGE.
succeeds Admiral Sirard In Com
nnnd Of thu Worth Atlantic
Squadron.


WASHINGTON. March as-The navy
department developed important new feat
ursa today.
Capt. Robiey D. Evans. well known as
Fighting Bob" Evans. arrived in Wash
sngtoE this morning from Key Yves, and
had half an hours conference with Sec
rotary Long. He has been temporarily
or duty In the lighthouse service. but he
told the secretary that IL there was TO be
a fight he wanted 10 be in 1t. Mr. Long
appreciated the suggestion and Issued or
ders placing Capt. Evans In command OF
the battlexhip Iowa. which stands at the
very head OF the ships OF the American
navy, both az To- the tonnage. guns. arma-
rnent and ali the qualities that go 10 make
UP fsss-ciass modern battleshlp.
II developed that Capt. Evans' orders 10
take command of the Iowa had a mos, I'M
portant sequel In the assignment Of Capt
sampson. present commander of the Iowa.
20 succeed Admiral sicard Ia command of
the North Atlantic squadron. This is prob
ably the most important assignment the
department has made In many months. 1t
Is mainly due 10 the findings Of a medical
court now sitting at Key West. that Adj
miral Eicard II temporarily incapacitated
for active duty. owing to long-continued
Illness.
Capt. Sampson. who now assumes COM
mand OF thu North Atlantic squadron. il
regarded "a one OF the besi-equippea of
ficars In the navy. having seen active ser
vice during the civil war, ard since then
having occupied many important posi-
tons. He is high authority on naval
ordnance. and before taking command Of
tia Iowa was chief OF the bureau of ord
nance Of the navy department. lie Ii a
student OF naval affairs. Of genial temper
aamest. and considered an officer of ex-
eepiional executive ability. The retirement
Of Admiral Sicard has the effect OF raising
Capt Sampson TO the rank % commodore
He Is a native Of New York. entered
The service In September. is57. and has
been over forty years In active service.
nearly fourteen OF which were spent on
the sea. He concluded his last cruise
In June. 1892. since which time he served
az chief Of the bureau Of ordnance up 10
the time OF his assignment; TO the COM
maud of the Iowa, Hardly less i'm
portant than the assignment OF Capt
SAMPSON. was the practical determine
ton TO place Commodore ". g Schley
in command OF the fleet now assembled
at Hampton roads.
The TWO commands under Commodore
Sampson and Commodoce Sehley VIII be
or equal dignity. and VII lpa entirely In
dependent og each ether. for the present
at least.
Commodore Schley commands thu full
est confidence % the administration
During the present crisis he has been
frequently called into consultation with
navy chiefs. who recognized his complete
procedure.
when the flying squadron Was first
suggested his name naturally presented
itself as probably the aisrst man IN tAs
service for that particular duty. lie
came prominently into public notice by the
successful prosecution ~ the Gsee.y re-
ure expedition. asa latter as the cou.-
mander If tho Baltimore at Valparaiso
az the time Of the Chilean revolution.
All Vessel. Ordered Home.
The navy department "a Informed q
she departure og fho cruiser Cincinnati
aud she gaah02ss Ca&sne ena wEmins-
toa from Foyt Aa;oa.2. Jamaica. last