The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1898-11-02
ARTHUR ROPES. General Editor
Honor the Hero of the Oregon.

LEGISLATURE of Vermont paid appropii-
ate honors to Admiral Dewey for his
brilliant achievement in Manila bay,
the fresh glory of which the wires were
at that time bringing from the Orient.
AT the present session another body or
the representatives Of the people has
expressed the deliberate judgment OF
the State and Nation at large as to the
great value of the Admiral's services to
the country, and requested the States
delegation in Congress to secure for this
heroic son of Vermont the high recog-
milton from the Nation that is due to
him. No American, and especially no
man of Vermont, will begrudge Admit
raj Dewey the high honor rendered
him. or the higher distinction in store
for him. But there are others, and
one, eminent in heroism and the favor
lite of fame, is also from Vermont-Cap-
tain Clark, late commander of the Ore
gon. What recognition does Vermont
propose to make of this mans great
services 10 Tue NdtlOu L hO "oJ w
perpetuate line of heroes is to show
appreciation of heroic deeds. England
understands the secret of melting
"every Englishman to do his duty,"
and this country may learn it from
"the mistress of the seas"
Captain Charles E. Clark was born in
Bradford, August 10, 1912. His father
subsequently became resident OF
Montpelier and his sign still appears
on the Rialto where he pursued his vo-
cation of book-binder. In 1850 justin
S. Morrill,, Representative in Congress
from this district, secured young
Clark's appointment as cadet to the
naval academy at Annapolis. In 1863
he was ordered into active service and
was under Admiral Farragut in the
memorable battle in Mobile Bay, in the
War of the Rebellion, and in the attack
upon and capture of Fort Morgan. He
was also in several minor actions on
the Mississippi and the coast of Texas.
After The ClOSe vi IbO VOL hO oSh va -
various capacities, afoat and on shore,
ia home and foreign waters, on the At
lantic and the Pacific coasts, always
winning promotions, till in March last,
when war with Spain was impending,
holding the rank of captain he was in
command of the coast defender Monte
rev, since despatched to Manila, at San
Diego, California.
When the navy department decided
to bring the battleship Oregon, built on
the Pacific coast, to this side the con-
tinent, commander competent for the
arduous task was sought, and Captain
Clark was ordered to report at San
Francisco for this duty. The voyage
Law through temperate and torrid zones,
and to perils of the deep were added
danger from lurking foes. A course of
$4,000 miles lay before the good ship.
1t was not pleasure excursion.
Urgency was in the sailing orders, and
the endurance of the ship as well as
tDe meCJl6 Ol lu6 COlnllnuuOi "OiS Oh
trial. The world knows the issue of
the lannon's run against time this now
renowned vessel made. In the early part
of May, when Cervera's squadron was
filing the country with dire apprehen-
sion, the Oregon arrived off Jupiter in
let, Florida, aud was ordered from
Washington to proceed to Hampton
Roads if in need of repairs, to Key
West if in fighting trim. She went
to Key West, and the world knows the
rest
In this connection it is interesting to
recall some of the incidents of this IA
nous voyage. The Oregon reached the
South American coast at time when
Cervera's powerful squadron was be-
lieved to be lying off the Brazilian
shore waiting to intercept and destroy
her. But Captain Clark was not fright
ened by the anticipated attack from al
enemy superior in numbers, armor anC
armament to his own ship, and it ha;
passed into legend in naval circles
that he responded to warning sen
him by the navy department with thu
announcement that he didn't want t
be bothered with instructions, ant
hoped that he would have the goo'
luck to meet the Spanish feet. Re
specting this emergency, and hoV
Captain Clark would have met it, En-
gineer Milligan of the Oregon, at
recent meeting of naval officers in NeV
York, said
"Gettng around into the Atlantic, "
heard that the Spanish torpedo-boat Tenn,
rario was waiting for u.s. II we had mt
her she would have had the advantage
knowing whether war had been declare,
and so Captain Clark decided that if 81
came anywhere near us we would act az