The times., 1898-08-14
THE LATE ADMIRAL KIRKLAND
The Funeral VIII Take Place Today
Near San Erapeisco


Near San Francisco
The news of the death of Rear Admi-
raj Kirkland. at Vallejo. Cal. was re-
ceived with profound sorrow at the Navy
Department yesterday where the distin
guished naval veteran was well known
and beloved by ALL His last moments
were spent in company with his wife and
son, DR.. Wagner, U. S. N, and Father
Reginald, of St Vincent's Church. being
the only other persons at the bedside
when the admiral breathed his last
Admiral Kirkland had been i'll for some
time, and on Tuesday an operation for
acute construction of the bowels was per-
formed by DR.. w. E. Taylor, of San Fran
cisco, assisted by several of the best
known surgeons in the navy.
Thursday 1t was thought that the old
sea warrior had chance for life. and
Friday morning he seemed to be feeling
better than usual. but he became rapidly
worse, and from o'clock in the after
noon death was momentarily expected.
The funeral service will be held at st.
Vincent's Catholic Church at Vallejo. and
tAAC Douy VIII DG dIItY inferred IN
st. Vincent's Cemetery until it can be
taken to Brooklyn. n. Y, where it will
finally be buried beside the remains of
his beloved daughter. who died a few
years ago and was buried there
William A. Kirkland was born in North
Carolina July 3. 1896. and was appointed
to the navy from that State July 2, 1850
He was first attached to the sloop Ports
month and fn1Gp n Fr-;c fa - T
renee, and served with the Pacific SQUAD
ron until 1853. He then spent some time
at the Naval Academy and was promoted
to passed mtdshipman June 90 1855 He
served with the Brazil squadron until 1852,
being commissioned lieutenant March IS
1888, and lieutenant commander July Is.
1852. He was then assigned to the China
station, serving there and in the East In
dies until 1854
During the greater part of the civil
war Lieut.. Commander kirkland was
away from the scene of action, but in 1864
he was ordered home and placed in COM
mand of the ironeiad Winnebago, of the
western gulf biockading squadron. He
served under Acting Rear Admiral
Thatcher in the combined movements OF
the military and naval forces against the
defenses of Mobile. which resulted in the
capture of that city and the surrender
OF the confederate Heet.
From 1866 TO 1870 he commanded the
steamer Wasp. of the South Atlantic
Squadron. He commanded the same ship
from 1875 to 1876, and was from time 10
time connected with the same squadron
until 1852 He was made n commander
in 1869 and promoted captain in 1889. He
was attached to the Norfolk navy yard
in 1888. and was at the Brooklyn navy
yard from October 1884, TO 1886. and dur
ing the first part of that time was in
command. From October, 1883. to July.
1891, he was supervisor OF New York har-
Dor, when he became commandant of
the League Island navy yard at Phila-
delphia.
He was commissioned as commodore
June q. 1893 and rear admiral March l.
1884, Admiral kirkland was then placed
in command OF the European station.
place which he retained until November.
1896 when ordered home His next as
signment did not come till June l, 1895.
when ne was placed in command ofNthe
Mare Island Navy Yard at San Fran
cisco. where he remained until prevented
from further service by the illness and
the operation which resulted in his death.
He was retired on July of the present
wear but was to have continued MS COM
mand until the termination of the war
permitted his relief by officer on the
active isl. JiS was dt 49,
the senior ranking officer on the active
list. -.
Admiral Kirkland's name was brought
into prominence at the time OF his de-
tachment from the European squadron III
October. 1895 Dissatisfaction was hrst
caused by the action of the admiral IN
sending a letter of congratulation on ms
election to President Faure of France.
He was reprimanded by Secretary Her
bert. who held that the place OF the
admiral, representing the dignity OF the
United States navy in European waters,
precluded him from making any comment
on French politics Admiral kirkland ap-
pealed TO President Cleveland to over
rule Secretary Herbert, offering as his
defense that he had known President
Faure personally and had congratulated
him in a personal capacity. and not as
an officer of the United States navy.
Admiral Kirkland again came into pub
lie notice through a newspaper interview
in which he made some comments on the
character of American missionaries IN
Syria, whittier he had gone to give them
protection in the Armenian troubles.
In recalling Admiral Kirkland there
was no disposition, on the part OF the
Government to belittle his record as
sailor. He was always looked upon as
a man of action and quick perception,
and always ready to do his duty.