The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-08-21
CAPTAIN PHILIPS FIRST SHIP
How the Navy Departments Mistake
Gave Him a Command at 20


Captain John Philip of the battleship
Texas, who is soon to be elevated to the
rank of commodore and advanced several
numbers In his grade because Of the eff
cient manner in which his ship was
handled during the engagements with the
Spaniards in Cuban waters. is another In
stance of the splendid fighting men de-
veloped by the civil war. Upon leaving
Annapolis at the opening of the civil war
Captain Philip was assigned to duty upon
the Santee, then lying at the Portsmouth
navy yard. The Santee was one Of a num-
Der of wooden frigates designed for coast
defense duty and the navigation of south
ern rivers. She had not received her COM
plement of men when Philip Joined her
as a midshipman, and the preparations
for her departure were delayed for sew
eral months by the work of equippng sew
eral of the large war vessels which were
being fitted out in the yord.
Philip, who, with the other members of
the ships company. became tired Of the in
action Of the life on shore, upon learning
that volunteer skipper from the merchant
marine had been placed in command OF a
sloop of war, wrote to the secretary of the
navy, more in jest than with the idea that
his request would receive consideration, to
say that as graduate of the United States
naval academy he felt as competent to
command warship as any captain of a
coast schooner, and accordingly respect
fully forwarded hts request for such an
appointment.
To the young midshipman's surprise he
received an order in two or three days
detaching him from the Santee and d.
recting him to report on board the Marion,
a large sloop, as acting master. Philip
was almost overwhelmed for time by the
success of the letter and did not know
quite what to do. He realized that he
was a very young man to hold such re-
sponsible place, and felt that some one had
made a mistake. The order assigning MIN
to his new duty was made out in proper
form, however, and bore the Endorsement
of the secretary of the navy. Philip finally
decided to have try at the job at any
rate. and accordingly went to the anchor
age of his new ship. and after presenting
his credentials, assumed command. The
CONSERVATION among the other naval men
in the yard, many Of whom were Philips
seniors by fifteen years, at seeing a mere
midshipman with no practical experience
put over their heads was extreme. The
officers of the ship of which he was put in
command could hardly believe their eyes
as they scanned his credentials. An order
is an order In the United States navy, how
ever, and Is to be obeyed without ques-
ton. Philip accordingly took his ship to
her station off the coast of Texas, where
she was detailed for patrol duty.
In tniv ad !, &c oatin
ter Of the Marion for year without hear
Ing any explanations OF the circumstances
which gave him his promotion. While he
was in command of his ship the Santee,
to which he had been first assigned, came
into a port on the gulf where he hap
pened to be, with 6chey. Sampson and sew
eral other members of his class on board
as mdshipmen. Philip called on the COM
mander to pay his respects and incidental
ly dropped down In the Junior mess to have
look at his former comrades.
"If you fellows behave yourselves have
no objection to staying ip the same room
with you," he remarked as he entered the
cabin where they were seated. A chorus
of groans was the only retort possible
under the stringent naval regulations. The
explanation OF his good fortune was forth
coming a few months after the conversa-
ton with his former shipmates, however,
as when the time arrived for the advance
ment Of his class to the grade OF junior
lieutenant, an order was received on board
the Santee directing Mdshipman Philip
to report on board the Sonoma with the
same grade as his comrades. The navy de-
partment had COMPOUNDED his name with
that of a masters mate, and the secretary
had signed the order without detecting the
mistake.-New York Evening Sun.