The Irish standard., 1898-08-13
COMMODORE WINFIELD SCOTT scHlEY
HE DIVIDES THE POPULAR LAURELs
WITH ADMIRAL DEWEY.
IS A MAN, FIGHTER AND GENTLEMAN,
GOLD MEDAL FROM CONGRESS- FOR
GREELEY EXPEDITION,

Fearlessness and resolution are the
leading characteristics of Commodore
Winfield Scott Schley. U. S. ~, if the
estimate of those who have known him
long and we'll is to be accepted.
Commodore Schley enters into arg,l-
ment as frankly and thoroughly as he
would an engagement with the enemy,
contradicts with vehemence where he
knows he is unqualifiedly right, and is
not above u good, round, sailorly oath
When occasion enforces verbal explo-
sion.
Subsequent to tho Maine disaster,
Commodore Schley expressed doubt that
the misfortune took place through in
fiuence outside the ship, his theory Of
the occurrence being drawn from an in
cident of his own experience. While on
the New York the swift, terrible word
came to him, "Fire! The ship is burn
ing!' Losing not an instant, he mus
tered his almost panic-stricken men,
who thought each moment to be blown
to atoms
Drown the magazine!" he shouted,
leading the way to duty, free from
alarm, to where a steel plate Of the
magazine room glared red hot from a
powerful blaze next to it, and all hands
flooded the big New York to safety.
Fearless, outspoken, his manner is yet
ever tempered with courtesy, and he OBJ
serves the flattering niceties of acquain-
tance and friendship with rare punctili-
BUSINESS. He is a tall. strengthening
man, with more muscle than flesh, a
complexion fair, despite the best efforts
Of sea winds and Eastern suns to tan it.
and lightish hair, which time has neu.
trail tinted and which he disposcs care
fully where it is thinning. His eyes arc
blue and fine lined about from ex-
pressing his thoughts, and his gray
moustache and beard conceal his mouth
and chin from criticism.
Commodore Schlcy was born near
Frederick, Nd, in 1889, and his very
baptism was subject to military in
f1uencc. Just at this date Gen. Win
field Scott was in Frederick, holding
court martial. A friendly intimacy
sprung up between John. Schlcy, father
of the present commodore, who had
served in the navy in the war of 1872,
~ tho ct i,,u it.ba
of which was naming the son and heir
of the Schleys Winfield Scott"
There is a tradition that the baby
showed distinct tendencies tho day Of
his christening to live up to a. fighting
name. His ancestors were people Of
SchlcsWig- ont -the-Schlcy, who came to
this country following the revocation of
the cdict of Nantes stalnch IIng,lcnots,
ono of whom, establishing himself in
Savannah, became later governor of
Georgia
From the time his career began after
entering the naval academy and remain
ing from 1856 to 1861, events of interest.
quickly succeeded each other. He has
medals of honor and tributes of praise
from his country, which he has served
actively in many parts of the world, and
has improved his opportunities of hero
ism and bravery to the everlasting cred
it of his record and to the envy OF less
fortunate men in the service He was
graduated at the head of his class, and
in 1861, being given sea duty on the fri
gate Potomac, store ship at Ship Island
was in 1862 promoted to master and or
dercd to the Wnona, of the blockading
squadron of the West Gulf
Commodore schlcy saw real war, being
in number Of skirmishes along the
Mississippi river, engaged and operated
with field batteries, aided in cutting out
under heavy fire two schooners which
were carrying supplies to the enemy,
for which honorable mention in special
orders was accorded him July, 1862,
he received his commission as licil-
tenant. serving with further honorable
mention through engagements which led
up to the capture in 1863 of Port Hud-
son, La. From 1864 to 1866 he was exc
c,ltive officer of the Watcree, steam
gunboat, on which he served on the Pa
cific station.
The suppression of an insurrcction
among Chinese coolies IN 1864 in the
Chin Chi islands and the landing of 100
men to protect the United States con.
sulate marked his stay in those waters
July IS, 1866, he received the commission
OF enant-commander, and, having
returned from the Pacific station, spent
three years on duty at the naval
academy. The Benecia, of tho Asiatic
station, was his next post, he taking
part in 1871 in the overthrow of the
forces defending the Salu river in Corea
Head of the department Of modern Ian
guages" at Annapolis followed, and it
can be said here that he is fine
4 tlsls-. Z