New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-06-06

CAPTAIN c. V. GRIDLEY.
Captain Gridley achieved distinction at the bat
lie of Manila Bay, and added TO his previous
laurels by winning high praise from his su-
periors in the service for distinguished gal
lantry and ability. He fought his ship from the
coming tower, while Admiral Dewey directed
the movements OF his squadron from the bridge
OF the vessel. 1t not known for some weeks
after the battle that Captain Gridley had suf-
fered therefrom. and even now the precise
I nature Of his trouble is not disclosed.
Upon the arrival Of the Zairo at Hong Kong
on May 20 the Navy Department was Informed
that Captain Gridley had been condemned by
BOARD Of Medical Survey and "invalided" home
Subsequent advices received by the Department
indicated that Captain Gridey was suffering
from the effects OF a rupture supposed 10 have
been received during the battle of Manila. but
no details were given. II was not supposed that
his Illness was serious. 40 the Department was
informed that the captain. in company with
Paymaster Gait would start for home as soor
possible.
On May IS they left Hong Kong on the
steamer Coptic one OF the vessels of the Occ'-
dental and Oriental Steamship Line. It would
appear that Captain Gridley died about the
time the ship reached Kobe. 1t is quite evident
now that he considered his case serious. as he
did no. communicate. so far as is known. with
any member OF his family after the battle Of
Manila.
Captain Gridley was not n dress parade
officer Among the older officers. however, espe-
cially among those with whom he served. he
/ had the reputation of being OF tho best
equipped officers Of the Navy. He was regarded
of the best navieators in the service. and
his thorough knowledge Of all It's details and
requirements fully justified the remark OF Ad-
! mral Ramsay that "Gridley is one OF the brain
| lest ani pluckiest officers In the naval service
Dispatches from Manila concerning the battle
/ indicated that Commodore Dewey had the ut
most confidence In Captain Gridley; that he
never interfered In the slightest degree with his
management and handling Of the ship; that he
told him to fire whenever he ready, and
that the broadside which sunk the flagship OF
the Spanish Admiral was Gridley's own concep-
tion and act; and in fine that in the entire bat
tie the Olympia was handled superby
The distinguished bravery and ability OF Cap
tain Grdley were recognized by the President.
and. had he lived. promotion doubtless would
have been his substantial reward.
Charles Vernon Gridlcy was born NJ Logansport.
Ind. in l8i5. but appointed n naval cadet from
Michigan September G. 1860. lie was graduated
a ahead Of lime from the Naval Academy In
1853 when he made an ensign and attached TO
the steamship oneida or the West Guif Squadron
from 1863 1865. lie board his ship in the
battle OF Mobile Bay. on August g. 1861. At the
close Of the war having served in a number OF en-
gagcrnents he WAS attached 10 the steam s!oop
Brooklyn Of the Brazilian Squadron and later was
aboard the Kearsarge, in the South Pacific. lie
was promoted to lieutenant on February q. 1851.
and 10 eutcnant-conmander one year later and
assigned to the Michigan and afterward to the
| Nonongahcla on the South Atlantic Station From
1879 TO 1879 he an instructor at the Naval
Academy at Annapolis.
He became executive officer OF the flagship Tren-
ton Of the European Squadron. in December. 1879
and was made commander on March 10. 1852 lie
for a time assigned TO the torpedo station. and also
70 the Boston Navy Yard He was made COM
rnander Of the jamestown in 1884, commanded the
Portsmouth In 1856 and was Inspector OF the Tenth
Lighthouse District. Buffalo. y. Y. from July
1851 to October, 1891. After a year NJ the Wash
ington Navy Yard he was put in command OF the
sloop-of-v war Marion the Asiatic station. From
JIv 1891, 10 the fall OF 1906 he again in charge
or the Tenth Lighthouse District and then became
captain OF the League Island Navy Yard, at Phla-
dephia On March IA. 1891. he was promoted to
the rank OF captain. and on july 2S OF the same
wear was put in command or the olympia. on the
Asiatic station. which was Rear Admiral Deweys
flagship I'm the battle OF Manila Bay.
CAPTAIN Gridley was stationed In the coming
tower of the Olympia as the nagship led the fleet
into hattie. and the cruiser are" near 10 tne
spanish fleet Dewey gave the order from the bridge.
..you may fire when you are ready Grdley.'
GridIey was ready. and his guns opened the great
cot naval battle Of modern times win the shclls
from the Spanish forts and feet raining around
the shin he conducted the olympia through that
brilliant engagement and II was probably the ter
rinc strain of the battle and the frghtfu concus-
sion Of exploding shells and firing guns near the
stee box in which he placed when caused or
ogyrovated the rupture for which he was con-
damned nv the Beard OF Medical Survey several
weeks after the battle. on May p Rear-Admiral
Dewey sent a dispatch from Cavite that captain
Cr,dley had been sent home invaded. on ihurs-
dav the President advanced Captain Gridey SIX
Numbers IN the ranking list of his grade.
While attached to the United states warsh'P
Nicbigan which is stationed on Lake Erie ne mar
,ed Miss Harriet Vincent daughter OF Juuee
vipcont n well-known lawyer In Erie. Penn.' ana
a Republican leader In Pennsylvania. They had
made their home in Erie where Mrs Gridiey ~
soo,al loader and has rendered considerable service
IN the city in the establishment OF Tree hi'uei-
HCantain Gridey leaves wife, two , uaushper1h, p,h
Niss X ntbarine Vincent Gridley and MISS KUN
s.ridev and one son. John Paul vincent uriaIey'
ali n Erie Penn living with MIS- Grias ~, ni
iev and his brother. Lucius i've IN Whsmnston;
~ fnrmer being n clerk In the Patent once ana
ny ia, 90 empIoye In the Treasury department,
III - ,he relatives were Informed OF MS death as
ar AZ =, the Information reached the Navy DEPART
ment