The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-06-06
CAPT. G. v. GRIDLEY E A
cOM1EANDE Ed DEWEI's FbdGSHIP
IN THE MANILA FIGHT.

WARRINGTON, June b.-CRpt. Charles v. Grid
lev. who commanded Admiral Dowoy's flagship,
the cruiser Olympia. In tho battle OF Manila
Bay, died yesterday at Kobe, Japan. A despatch
reporting his death was received at tho Navy
Department from Paymastor William w. Gait
OF the cruiser Raleigh, who lie on his way to tho
United States. MIR. Calls telegram gave no de-
tails Of Capt. Grldley's demise. 1t was very
brief, ns follows:
KOBE, Japan. June 4.
Secretary Mary. Washington!
Capt dridley died to-day. Remains accompany me
on coptic. GAIT.
Capt. Gridley wns not wounded at the battle
of Manila Bay Us far as the Navy Department
knows. The first intimRtion that the depart
ment had Of his illness was given in an Official
despatch from Admiral Dewey. received horo on
May 81, saying that tho Olympio's commander
had been condemned, to use the technical naval
expression, by a Board Of Medical Survey and
inValided home. Capt. Gridloy and Pnymastor
Gait, the latter In good health and returning
after the expiration OF his regular tour Of duty,
left Hong Kong on the Occidental and Oriental
steamship Coptic on May 90 for San Francisco
by way Of Kobe. Admiral Dewoy's telegram did
not indicate the nature of Capt. Gridley's i'll
ness. When the engagement began Admiral
Dewey directed Capt. Gridley to go to the con-
ming tower, whilo Dewey remained on the bridge.
Shpb. NElui6y OuJoClou, uuO AuIulThl DOWcy IL
sisted. He did not want to take chances. he
said. on having the Comnander-in In. Chief of the
squadron and the Captain of tho best ship killed.
So Capt. Gridloy went TO the heavily armorod
coming tower and directed tho operations Of
his vessel from that place.
At the time Capt. Gridley was invaded homo
some naval officers said he had not boon in good
health. II was reported that he was suffering
from rupture, but nobody appears to know how
the report originated. A naval officer. who saw
Capt. Gridley at Nagasaki in January. said to-
night that the OlympiR'B commander was in the
best Of health then, Last week the President
sent to the Senate the nomination Of Capt. Grid
ley for advancement six numbers in the list of
his grade az q RECOGNITION of his conduct at the
battle of Manila Bay. This, with tho nomina-
tions of the other commanding officers of the
Asiatic squadron, sent to the Senate at tho
same time, has not been confirmed.
Capt. Gridley's widow resides In Erie, Pa.
She was informed by the Navy Department Of
her husbands death. His mother. Mrs. Eliza
Ann Gridley. who is 70 years old, resides in
Washington. where a brother is also living.
Capt. Gridley'S mother and brother, who re-
side at 1911 o street. this city. were very much
surprised at the news of his death, as 1t WAS to-
tally unexpected. Mrs. Gridley was almost
Frustrated with grief. The only intimation they
uhu EoColNou lnbJ SApU- uTluloy was III Hhb CON-
tanned in tho despatch received on May AZ that
no had been invalided home. No cause was as
signed in the despatch, and as nothing had been
received before or had reached them since. they
are at q loss to know what was the matter
with him. The last letter from him was
received about q week ago. 1t was dated April
25, before the fight at Cnxite. and he spoke Of
his fortune in being in two wars, said he was in
tho best of health, and expressed his confidence
in the ability Of Admiral Dewey to crush the
Spanish feet at Manila. 1t is believed by his
family that he sustained some injury while in
the coming tower OF his vessel during the fight.
This is based on the ground that whilo tho
Olympia led the first attack tho second was led
by another vessel.
Cap. Gridley leaves q widow, two daughters
and a son. The son is 10 years OF ago. tho others
being oldor. All reside in Erie, Pa, where the in
torment will probably take place. The remains
will probably reach there about juno 25.
Capt. Charles Vernon Gridley was born in
Indiana. but his boyhood days were spent In
Michigan, and 1t was from the latter State that
he received his appointment to the Naval
Academy on Sept. %. 1850. He was graduated
in 1868, and fought through the last two years
Of the civil war.
He was first attached to tho Oneida as an
AAholBh ia AoOos anu NSn Al ~ boLbAO
OF Mobile Bay. He was promoted to the rank
OF Master on May 10, 1866, and was shortly af-
terward assigned to the Brooklyn. the flagship
OF the Brazil squadron. On Feb. 81. 1867. he
was promoted to a lieutenancy, and WAS then
assigned to the Kearsarge.
On March IL. 1868. while still on the Kear-
sarge, he was made t-Commander,a and
on the Michigan. and later the MononGahela, he
passed four years in the South American
stations.
He was then recalled to this country and for
four years was an instructor at the Naval
Academy. 1t was during this service that no
was executive officer of the practice ship Con-
ISOLATION in 1878. He was afterward trans.
ferrcd to tho Trenton as executive officer, serv-
ing in that capacity until 1881. On March
20. 1882. no was appointed Commander. and
served on the jamestown until 1884. whom he
was transferred to the Portsmouth. upon which
ho served until 1886. Next, he was appointed
senior officer for the cruising training station.
and this service was followed by his appoint.
mont as Inspector of the Tenth Lighthouse dis
trict at Buffalo, n. Y, where he remained I'm.
til 1891.
He was stationed at the navy yard at Wash.
ington during 1892. and was then detailed
for service on tho Marion. He continued or
this vessel until July. 1894, when he was again
assigned 10 shore duty.
On March II. 1897, he was promoted to the
rank of Captain. and on July % took omman
of tho Olympin. He retained that post unit
after the battle of Manila Bay, when he wal
ordered homo on sick leave.
Up to his appointment to the ommand OF the
Olympia Capt. GriGley had spent nineteen year.
and three months In sen duty. fifteen years ant
three months in shore duty, and had been I'm
attached two years and nine months. He was
No. 40 in the active list OF line officers.
Shortly before Admiral Dewey's feet lief
Hong Kong for the Philippines Capt. GridleI
WAS declared physically unfit for active service
and Commander Lambcrton was assigned t
take command Of tho Olympia. Capt. Gridlc!
pleaded against being relieved on the eve OF
battle, SO Rear Admiral Dewey permitted hin
to retain his command, and Commander Lam
berton was assigned as Dewcy's chief OF stati
at Manila. it was by Capt. Gridley's orders tina
tho first shot was fired. When Admiral Dove!
thought the time had come 10 open the engage
ment, he said: CONNER firing when you ar
ready, Gridley.' and Capt. Gridley lost no tim
in issuing the order.
AkAz Iarl Aatl1a 1~NA H. dat - "a A-sla -