The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-01-27

graduating from the Annapolis Naval Acad-
envy. He was appointed a cadet at the
Nal al Academy from New York In 1850,
and when he graduated four years later he
was promoted TO ensign and assiened to
duty on the Monongahela, where he re-
manned until 1854 when he was assigned TO
the Brooklyn. 1t was with this vessel that
ne participated in the battle of Mobile bay
under Farragut in August, 1864. Subse-
quently ne was a participant in both at
tacks on Fort Fisher, as we'll as the final
assault which resulted in the capture OF
that place in 1865.
Shortly after the close of the rebellion he
was made a lieutenant commander, and
ever since he has occupied positions OF trust
and responsibility in the navy and the coast
the survey steamer Blake he paid particular
attention to exploring the Gulf of Mexico
ana invented system OF deep sea soundlngs
and what is known as graVltatlng trap
for bringing up specimens of water from
any certain depth. For e score of years ne
has been interested in scientific and artis-
tic affairs connected with his department,
and has a reputation as clever etcner ana
free-hand drawer, having developed these
talents while connected with the hydro
graphic office as chief of that bureau.
A former classmate of Captain SigSbee at
the Naval Academy describes him as being
man who could be trusted to acquit him
self creditably in any emergency that
might arise. There is no doubt as to his
courage as well as discretion. and 1t would
have been difficult to find a safer man to
have sent to Havana at such a time. He
would quickly resent any act of intimidation
citizens or their representatives. and at the
same time would not do anything that
would be considered foolhardy or rash. He
is accustomed to command. having been
in responsible positions for the last thirty
years, and in every instance he has acqult-
ted himself with credit to himself and the
government His experience during the re-
bellion will stand him in good service now
and his men will find that they have in him
a commander who is on a par with fighting
Bob Evans, the hero of the Valparaiso
(Chile) affair several years ago. While
Captain Sigsbee may. not be as dashlng IN
his manners as Captain Evans, he is equally
brave in the face of danger. VS..
Shortly after becoming a captain and be-
ing assigned to the command OF the Maine,
Captain Sigsbee gave an illustration of his
presence of mind in New York harbor. His
battle ship was bearing down on an eXcur-
sion boat in the East river Ahead was
the excursion boat full of human beings.
On either side was a barge. The only clear
way showed a pier. The old commander
ordered his engines reversed, and to the
amazement of the beholders he steered
straight for the pier and ran it amuck. The
pier was badly torn up, the Names nose
lives were saved. The excursion boat ran
clear, but ten loaded freight cars, that were
standing on the pier, went to the bottom
of the river. There is no doubt as to Capt.
Sigsbee'S relative valuation OF human lie
and property. About $4,000 in property was
destroyed, but LOGO lives were saved. That
was not a bad ten minutes work for a man
whose business it is to kill There was
court of inquiry convened at that time, but
Captain SgSbee was acquitted of any blame
in the matter, and, figurately speaking, was
patted on the back by the secretary of the
navy, who commended his humane action
as the proper thing under the circum-
stances.
Captain Sigsbee has just passed the half
century mark in life, and is of spare fg-
ure and about five feet seven inches in stat
ure. His dark hair is just becoming tinged
with gray, and a swarthy complexion is
accentuated by eyeglasses, which are lndls-
Densable for the commander of the Maine.
Owing to his artistic and scientific inter-
ests there was some criticism as to whether
he would be Il proper commander for a
man of war, but when this suggestion was
made to his brother officers and former as
socates they were unanimous in expressing
the belief that more conscientious or
courageous officer could not be found for
the duty to which he has been assigned.