The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-11
WOULD DIRECT THE FIRST FIGHT.
Capt. w. II. Sampson, of the Navy, and
His Honorable Career.
Chicago Chronicle.

|
| No officer of the army or navy is more in
| the public eye just now than Captain Will
! liam 7. Sampson, successor of Admiral
Sicard in command Of the. North Atlantic
squadron. Should war with Spain break
| out this officer, in all probability. would di-
| rect the first conflict. He would be elevated
admiral. and from the beginning would
| have control of naval operations. His selsc-
| ton for this responsible place meets the ap-
| prevail of all who know the needs and the
| man. He is said to be the right man in the
| right place. He is an expert in everything
| which pertains to modern warfare and in
| the past has frequently been called home
| from cruises that government authorities
might have the benefit of his knowledge.
plates, the relative value and uses of explo-
sives, than he. and no officer has greater
skill in handling modern engines of de-
Captain Sampson in his life is a good IL
lustration of the possibilities before the
American boy. His fatLer was a laborer,
who had nothing but a sturdy patriotism to
give his boy Young Sampson was full or
ambition and early developed studious
habit, coming over all the works of kno VI
edge he could lay his hands on. He was
born in Palmyra. n. Y, Feb ., ls4O, under
present Importance in national affairs. lie
attracted the attention of w. II. Southwick,
of his native place, and was appointed 10
the Naval Academy cadet in 1851 he
graduated first of his class just as the civil
war broke out.
Captain Sampson saw a great deal of
model for pluck and enterprise He had an
experience similar to the one which was in
vestigated by the board OF inquiry, OF winch
he was recently president. He was exec
utive officer of the ironclad Patapsco on
JAM is, 1865, when ordered 10 clear me mar
Dor of Charleston of torpedoes: etc. His
vessel was blown up Under MIN IN the pay
He was hurled one hundred feet through
the air but escaped serious injury. Seventy
of the crew died. He was made lieutenant
commander in 1886. was superintendent of
the Naval Academy from 1868 to 1871. ana
in - a. 81
made commander in 1874 was again In
charge of the academy for two years. and
then promoted to the grade of captain. In
1879 he assumed command of the Swatara
and later was first commander of the cruiser
San Francisco and the battle ship Iowa,
which latter command he relinquiShed to
assume command of the squadron
Personally, Captain Sampson is tall thin
and somewhat stopped, He has the APP
pearance more of a student than man of
action, yet is noted for his decision and
courage. He is affable and socially i'm
clined. but does not indulge IN much speech.
He is not easily disturbed. and. in emer-
gencies. Is brief and decisive. His shortness
of speech has left the impression of curt
ness in many cases, which has been re-
moved by better acquaintance He is a ia
Yorite with his acquatntances, wheelman
and tennis player of great skill. He takes
and mingling Wits his old associates as il
he had never been absent
His lectures on torpedo work before the
Naval War College, at Newport, produced
a fine impression, and his device of double
deck or sunerposed. turrets, which, with
Lieut. Joseph Strauss he perfected and
which await trial on the new battle ships
kearsarge and Kentucky, are proofs of his
talent
While occupying the position of in
spectOr of ordnance at the Washington navy
yard for three years he assisted In further
ing construction of the magnificent gun fac
tory established there. He was chief of the
Bureau of Ordnance from 1898 TO 1897 test
ing all his powers of endurance and nearly
wrecking his health by the arduous duties
of the position.
Mrs. Sampson is young and handsome.
we'll liked, and prominent in work OF the
Womans Army and Navy League. OF
which she is secretary. Ralph and Harold.
eight and ten years old, respectively. are
Captain SIMPSONS children by his second
wife. Four daughters by former marriage
are Mrs Roy G. Smith, wife of Lieutenant
smith. U. $. N; Mrs. Jackson. wife of En-
sign II. II. Jackson. L. S. N: Miss Mamie.
who. although Only twenty-five years old.
gives great promise of genius in art. and
has been one of the Art League pupils in
Washington and Miss Olive. a debutante.
and a. very pretty girl,