Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1898-07-27

On one occasion, prior to this battle,
so disastrous to Cervera's fleet, the
captain was called on board the flag
ship for council of war. 1t was also
Sunday, and the decision was reach
ed to lombard the forts of Santiago
bay that afternoon, when Captain
Philip said:
"Admiral, this is Sunday. I do not
think we should fight today. We may
be sorry if we do"
The bombardment was deferred un-
til the next morning.
The strong religious faith of Captain
Philip is corroborated by Edwin S.
Wheelock, of this city, the president
of the Christian Citizen Publishing
company.
"From all know about him." said
Mr.. Wheelock, ~ know he hates to
hurt any human being, yet, if his duty
calls him, I know he will fight as
bravely as any warlike Christian of
ancient times. You can readily i'm.
agine what the officers and crew of
such a commander are. He is very
quiet man, almost reserved, in fact,
but he is great favorite wherever he
is known, with his equals in society as
we'll as with his men in his capacity
of commanding"
Captain Philips true Christianity
has not prevented him from being a
good sailor and a brave fighter during
the Civil war. His career has put to
shame Shakepeare's
Il drunken sailor on mast,
Ready with every nod to. tumble
down.
The captain was born in New York,
August 26, 1S40, and was appointed
to the naval school September 20, 1856.
He was made midshipman in 1861,
and passed through all the grades to
his present rank, his commission dating
from March 81, 1889. He was in ac-
tive service all through the Civil war,
and after the close of the latter was
transferred to the Asiatic squadron as
executive officer. Subsequently he
served with the European squadron,
and since that time his service has
been diversified. During leaves of ab-
sence he commanded one of the steam
ers of Pacific Mail Steamship compa-
nv, and also the Woodruff scientific
expedition around the world. He was
engaged in surveying the west coast of
Mexico and Central America and was
lighthouse inspector of the 18th dis
trict.
In every position Captain Philip has
given good record for himself. Thus
eyewitnesses of the battle off Santa
20 bay state that during the fierce
fight this typical Yankee commander
stood on the bridge of the Texas and
directed the operations of his vessel
| personally from the beginning to the
close of the memorable running en-
gagement. He just escaped being
blown to pieces once by the explosion
of shell, mere accidental change
in his position being all that saved him.
Contrasts have been referred to re-
peatedly in this brief sketch of a
Christian sailor. There is another
contrast yet, the one between the deep
religious feeling of the commander
and the popular superstition attaching
to his ship. The Texas has been &C
counted the Jonah of the United
States navy. Ever since she was
launched at the Norfolk navy yard in
1892 she has had the very worst of
luck-until Captain Philip was assign
ed to her, less than year ago. Even
while the Texas was building several
men were fatally hurt while at work
upon her, and one mechanic plunged
to death from her deck.
Her engines were burned in fire
at the Richmond Iron Works, and her
bronze propeller was broken on her
first trip. Every turn she took she
seemed to 60 awry. She swamped a
schooner in her first dock trial, one OF
her turrets very nearly sank her while
at the dock, and while dry docked in
November. 1895, it was found that she
had structural weakness that cost
1925, 900 to remedy.
Every one of the Texas's trial trips
was unfortunate. In one of them her
eccentric strap got hot, in another her
condensers would not work, in another
her wheels wobbled and in fourth
her steering gear was broken. She