The age-herald., 1898-06-06
CAPT. GRIDLEY
 OF THE OLYMPIA OYertaken by Death While at Kobe,
 Japan. HAD BEEN ORDERED HOME Because Of Injuries Received During the
 Battle of Manila. WAS A BRAVE AND PLUCKY OFFICER As Commander of Admiral Dewey's Splendid Flagship He Achieved Distinction and
 Won High Praise From His
 Superior Officers.

washington June 5.-Captain Charles V. c.ridlev. commander of the cruiser Olympia. and one of the heroes of the brilliant vic- tory at Manila, is dead. The announce rnent of his death was received by the navy department late this afternoon in cablegram from Paymaster Gait, of the navy dated at Kobe, Japan, June i, and di- rected to Secretary Long, The dispatch contained this simple statement:
 "Captain Gridley died today. Remains accompany me Coptic."
 Captain Charles Vernon Gridley Is the first American officer of great prominence to die as direct result of the existing war campaign. As a commander of Ad- miral Dewey's splendid flagship, and one of America's chief advisers, Captain Gridley achieved distinction at the battle of Ma nila bay and added to his laurels by win ming high praise from his superiors in the service for distinguished gallantry and ability. He fought his ship from the con- ming tower while Admiral Dewey directed the movements of his squadrop from the bridge of his vessel.
 HAD BEEN ORDERED HOME.
 It was not known for several weeks af- ter the engagement that Captain Gridey had suffered from it, and even now the precise nature of his trouble is not dis closed Upon the arrival of the Zafiro at Hong Kong on the 20th of May, the navy department was notified that Captain Grid ley had been condemned by board of medical survey and 'invalided" home Ere quent advices received by the department indicated that Captain Gridley was suffer- ing from the effects of a rupture supposed to have been received during the battle at Manila, but no details were given. It was supposed that his illness was not serious as the department was informed that he, in company of Paymaster Gait, would leave for home as soon as possible.
 On the 20th of May they left Hong Kong on the steamer Coptic, one of the vessels of the Occidental and Oriental line. It would appear that Captain Gridley di, d about the time the ship reached Kobe. It Is not possible that he considered his case serious as he did not communicate wi any member of his family. so far as k own, after the battle of Manila.
 A BRAVE AND PLUCKY OFFICER.
 Captain Gridley was not dress n1rade" officer. Among the older officers. especially among those with whcm he served, he had / the reputation of being one of the lest equipped officers of the navy. He was re-
  service, and his thorough Knowledge of all r its details and requirements. fully justified Sthe remark of Armi al Ramsay that Grid ley is one of the bravest and pluckiest off, cers in the naval service"
 LEAVES A FAMILY.
 Captain Grdley. leaves a wife and three children two daughters and son who are now residing with Mrs Grid'eys father' Judge Vincent, lat Erie. Pa. His mother Mrs Annn Fl zt Grid'ey, and his bro-f CT I,ucius reside in this city, the former being a clerk in the patent office and the latter an employe in the treasury department All the relatives were notified of his death
 Captain Gridley was born in Logansport Ind, in 1S45. but was appointed to the na- val acedamy from Hillsdaie, Mich, Tn 1s6i. by Representative Henry Waioen. uroer ordinary conditions the class of 1880 fouid have been graduated in 1864, but the neces- sites of the civil war advanced 1t one year
 On October 1, 1863, young Grdley was pro- noted to ensign and ordered to the steam sloop Oneida, then to the west gult piock- ading squadron in which squadron he re- mained until the close of the war. He was in the battle of Mobile bay on Angst D. 1874. where his coolness and bravery were noted After the war he was sifne to the steam sloop Brooklyn which was inc flagship of the Brazilian squadron with which he served until 1867. being promoted to master In 18S A year later he was apain promoted to lieutenat, az on frch 1868. was again promoted and comm s. stoned as lieutenant commander.
 RAPID RISE IN THE SERVICE.
 In 1870 he was assigned to the steamer Michigan where he served two years Early in 1873 he was assigned to the Mononga- hela (second rate) serving and in February. 1875, he was detailed as instructor at the naval academy at Annapolis. where he re- mained four years. In 1879 he was made executive officer of the United States steamship Trenton on the European Sta ton, serving 1879 to o-1SS1. March 10. 1882, he was promoted to commander and during that summer was on duty at hte torpedo station From October, 1882 to February, 1884 he was chief navigator of the Boston navy yard. Tn July. 1SS7 he was inspector of the Tenth lighthouse district and sta tioned at Buffalo. where ho served until October 1891. From then to July. 1892. he was assigned to the command of the Marion and July 10, was detached from that ship as inspector of the lighthouse at Buffalo. In March. 1897. while command ing the receiving ship Richmond at league island, he was ordered to the Asiatic squod- ron, and on July 27, 1s97 was assigned to command the Olympia.