Evening journal., 1898-06-06
MANILA HERO DEAD
Olympia's Commander Has
Given His Last Order.
HIS DEATH CAME UNEXPECTEDLY.
Overcome by Heat and Excitement of
Battle, He Was on His Way Home
to Rest-one of Dewey's
Bravost Omcers.
WASHINGTO

WASHINGTON, June 6.-Captain
Charles 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 received by the navy department
late yesterday afternoon in a cablegrana
from Paymaster Gait of the navy. dated
at Kobe, Japan, June A. and directed
to Secretary Long. The dispatch con
tanned this simple statement:
Captain Gridley died today. Remains
accompany me on Coptic"
Captain Charles Vernon Gridley is the
first American officer of prominence
whose death is a direct result of the
existing war with Spain. As the com
mander Of Admiral Dewey's flagship
and one of the admlral's chief advisers
Captain Gridley achieved distinction at
the battle Of Manila bay arad added TO
his previous laUrels by winning hieh
praise from his superiors In the service
for distinguished gallantry and ability.
He fought his ship from the coming
tower. while Admiral Dewey directed
the movements Of his squadron from
the bridge Of the vessel. It was not
known for some weeks after the bat le
that Captain Gridley had suffered
therefrom, and even now the precise
nature OF his trouble Is not disclosed.
Upon the arrival Of the Zafiro at
HonglSong on the 20th OF May the navy
department was notified that Captain
Gridley had been condemned by
board Of medical survey and invalided
home Subsequent advices received by
the department indicated that Captain
Gridley was suffering from the effects
If n .ssa e.
oetved during the battle at Manila,
but no details were given, 1t was not
supposed that his Illness was very se-
rious, as the department was informed
that the captain. In company with Paw
master Gait. would leave for home az
soon as possible.
ON the 2Sth Of May they left Hong
kong on the steamer Coptic. one of the
vessels of the Occidental and Oriental
steamship line. II would appear that
Captain Gridley died about the time the
ship reached Kobe. 1t is quite evident
now that he considered his case serious.
as he did not communicate. so far IS
known. with any member Of his family
after the battle Of Manila
Captain Gridley was not a dress ~
rade' officer. Among the older officers.
however especially among those with
whom ne served. he had the reputation
Of being one Of the best equipped OF. 81
GERS Of the navy. He was regarded as
one OF tho best navigators in the service
and his thorough knowledge of all its
details and requirements fully Justified
tho remark OF Admiral Ramsay that
"Gridley is one of the brainiest and
pluckiest officers IN the naval service
The distinguished bravery and ablli-
~ Of Captain Gridley were recognized
by the president, and had he lived pro-
motion doubtless would have been his
substantial reward
Captain Gridley leaves a wife and
three children. two daughters and a son.
who ara now residing with Mrs. Grid
/ ley's father Judge Vincent, at Erie,
Pa. Ills mother. Mrs. Ann Ellza Grid
ley, and his brother, Lucius reside in
Z this city, the former being a clerk in tho
/ patent office and the latter an employed
! In the treasury department An of the
l relatives were notified Of his death az
soon as the information reached the
navy department.