The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-05-17
WILLIAM THOMPSON SAMPSON.
The Man to Whom the Eyes of AL
Patriotic Americana Are Turned.

Chicago Times-Herald.
Rear Admiral William Thompson Samp-
son within the next few hours is expected
to fight the most terrific naval battle in the
worlds history. If the conflict is in the
open sea it will be the first time in history
that ironclads have so met. The American
fleet is believed to be superior in every re-
spect, save speed, to that of Spain. The
career Of its commander entities him in
every sense to lead the way to battle that
may revolutionize naval warfare
For the moment Washington has forgot
ten Mrs bay, Manila and the Philippines
Somewhere in the West Indies, the Carib-
bean sea or the Florida straits there is a
spot that is to be made historic and the
commander of the North Atlantic squadron
immortalized. So authorities feel here, GER
tain that Spain is in earnest now and that
it is but matter of hours before the great
test of strength comes.
Rear Admiral Sampson is better known
in Washington than Rear Admiral George
Dewey, although man of just as retiring
a disposition as the commander of the
Asiatic squadron. The fighting abilities of
the two men are alike. Hesitancy and in
decision are qualities unknown to either
Sampson has a past life in many respects
more remarkable than that of the hero of
Manila. He is younger by thirteen years.
of spare physique but powerful nervous
energy. He is so little inclined to talk that
it is doubtful if he is the author of the now
famous sentence: Manila will be forgotten
when you hear from Porto Rico" That
doesn't sound like Sampson. The ring Of
the speech of any true man of the sea is
not in it. Far more likely he said: God
bless Dewey. Now it's my turn"
SIMPSONS father was a day laborer in
Palmyra, N. Y, fifty years ago. The family
existed on his scant wages. When the boy
was born and past the time of babyhood he
split wood ral1ed hay, and did chores for
neighbors, the money which he earned going
into the common purse of the family. He
was so plucky and persistent in his search
for work so thoroughly clean, that he at
tracted the attention of men in public life
Then Congressman Morgan, of Wayne cOun-
ty admired him and came forward with an
offer to give him a start. The assistance
proffered was in a chance to try for the Ma
val Academy at Annapolis. He did try,
passed, went to the academy and graduated
an honored pupil in 1861 some three years
after DeWey'S graduation His taciturnity
bothered him at this time. He realized that
a close mouth may often be disadvantage;
He could play tennis, and he used his skill
in this direction to lead him into social life
and relations with men and women where
he would have to talk. In this way he made
himself campanionable
Free from the academy he was assigned
to the frigate Potomac. Later he was re-
turned to Annapolis as an instructor, and in
1866 was executive officer of the Patapsco,
of the South Atlantic blCckadlng squadron.
He stood on the bridge of the Patapsco the
night of Jan. 10, 1865, when while dragging
for torpedoes, the boat struck one and was
instantly sunk. He was thrown into the
water and picked out by one Of IT., the picket
was honorably mentioned by his command
ing officer.
In 1866 he was lieutenant commander of
the flagship Colorado. of the European sta
ton, and in 1872 with the Congress at the
same station. He was frequently returned to
Annapolis during this time to act as spe-
cial instructor for short periods. His COM
mission as commander came to him in 1874
when he was placed in charge Of the Alert.
Eight years later he is found in the Asiatic
squadron, and in 1885 doing special service
at the naval observatory and a member of
the international prime meridian and time
conference. With the opening of this decade
he was on land again as superintendent of
the academy from which he graduated a
delegate from the United States TO the in
ternational maritime conference, and COM
missioned captain. One year later he was
made commander of the ironclad San Fran
cisco. and ia another year the first com
mander of the Iowa, now in charge of Bob
Evans. Still another year, and he went
higher-this time to be chief of the Bureau
President Mckinley called him to be pres
ident Of the board of inquiry on the Maine
ulSdSler, ana from IndL WOrk ne succeeded
Admiral Sicard in command of the North
Atlantic squadron. Then he is heard from
off Havana, then Cardenas and MatanZas,
and now somewhere near to the fortifica-
tons of San Juan, which his guns have re-
duced TO dust.
Your American" wrote Thackeray, half
kindly and half satricaliy regards all
sides of life as business-his being born, his
growing. his love and his work his
pleasures and his sorrows He Is porten-
tously serious even when joking. He loves
the minor key without being a pessimist.