The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-07-04
of the Pathfinder, . and the Dupont,
by Lieutenant G. S. Wood

of the Pathfinder, . and the Dupont,
by Lieutenant G. S. Wood
'sFighting Bob" and the Iowa.
The battleship Iowa, commanded by
s'Fighting Bob Evans, is the most for
midable battleship in the United States
navy. Her displacement is II, 40 tons;
she has a speed of 16 knots; her horse
power is II, 900, and she cost So, O1O,-
600. Her armament consists of four -
inch guns, eight 8 inch guns, six 4 inch
and % guns of smaller caliber.
Captain Evans was born in Virginia
in 1876, and during his boyhood broke
colts, shot rabbits and attended such
country schools as the mountains of
Virginia in those days afforded. Upon
the death of his father in 1855 young
Evans went to live with his uncle, AL
exander II. Evans, in Washington.
Here he attended Gonzaga college, a
well known and excellent Catholic in
stitution which has turned out many
good men. In 1859 he was offered an
appointment to the Naval academy by
Mr.. William Hooper, delegate in Con-
gross from Utah. With 5000 and navy
revolver this young aspirant for naval
honors started for Salt Lake City, which
he reached after a hard passage and aft
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In 1860 he joined his class at the Naval
academy, Annapolis, and afterward,
during the war, served as midshipman
and ensign. He served on board the
frigate Powhatan in the flying squad
ron under Admiral Lardner, and also
in the east gulf under the same officer,
afterward in the north Atlantic under
Admiral Porter and Commodore
Schenck. It was during this sea service
that he participated in the desperate as
sau1t upon and capture Of Fort Fisher.
It will be remembered that a forlorn
hope made up of volunteers from the
feet was sent against the up to that
time impregnable works, and 'Fight-
ing Bob, :" yet mere lad, was one of
the volunteers. It was one of the most
desperate and sanguinary assaults of
the war. He was commissioned as lieu
tenant in 1866, and as lieutenant COM
mander in 1868. Subsequently he held
various commands until appointed to
the Iowa. Captain Evans is man of
robust build, 80 years of age. His face
is scanned by heavy lines. He walks
with limp caused by a wound receiv-
ed in battle. He looks his age, every
day of it, and he also looks the typical
sea dog. He is the very man to follow
or lead. Cool, but still full of enthu-
siasm; hardy and stout, but alert in ev-
cry fiber.
Captain Chadwick and the New York.
The armored cruiser New York flag
ship of the fleet), commanded by Cap
tain T. E. Chadwick, has a displace-
ment of 8, 200 tons, her speed is 21
knots an hour, and she cost So, 900, 600.
She carries six 8 inch guns, twelve 4
inch and IS guns of smaller caliber.
Captain French e. Chadwick was
born in Virginia and appointed to the
Naval academy from that state in 1861.
He was attached to the steam sloop Sus-
quehanna, Brazil squadron, 1866; the
steam sloOp Juniata, south Atlantic
squadron, 1861 He has been attached
to several other vessels since then until
his appointment to the New York.
The battleship Indiana, commanded
by Captain Henry G.. Taylor, has dis
placement of 10, 288 TONS has a speed
of 10 knots an hour, and cost So, O2O,-
900. She carries four ID inch guns,
eight inch guns, four inch and 80
guns of a smaller caliber. Her mammoth
- inch guns are mounted in turrets,
two forward and two aft.
Captain Taylor is a native of New
York state and was appointed to the
Naval academy in 1860. He was pro-
NOTED ensign in 1868, and was attached
to the steam sloop Richmond, west
gulf blockading squadron, 1865, and
participated in the battle of Mobile bay
in 1864. He was promoted master in
1865; was attached to the steam sloop
Powhatan, south Pacific squadron,
1867, and was commissioned as lieu
tenant in 1856. He was commissioned
lieutenant commander in 1868; was at
tached to the frigate Sabine on a special
cruise in 1869, and was employed on a
surveying expedition 1901. He was
attached to the Naval academy 1924;
torpedo station 1875, and to the expert
mental battery, Annapolis, 1856.