The age-herald., 1898-07-09
SKETCH OF
 ADMIRAL CERVERA

Rear Admiral Cervefa was born Feb IS. 1899, and consequently is 5s years of age. He looks much younger. being possessed of fine physique and great energy.
 His country owes much to him for serv- ices which he has rendered, covering a pe- riod of more than fo1fy years. Don Pas- quale Cervera is of good old Spanish stock on his fathers side, and of very noble de- scent on his mothers, she being Topete, from which family have been drawn so many of spain's best naval officers at dif- ferent periods of her history, the latte Ad- hiral Topete being the most noted.
 Rear Admiral Cervera is renowned for his gailantry and bravery. His rare valor and keen intelligence were noted in Africa att Jolo, and in Cuba he likewise distinguished himself in the civil war, and most con- spicuously while defending the arsenal of the Carraca- Like many of the Spanish naval officers, he is man of considerable wealth, which may have materially assisted him in procuring opportunities for study, and being present in naval and torpedo ex- periments in foreign countries, as he is we'll known to be a thorough master in the science of modern naval warfare. As evident proof of the mans devotion, assidu- fly and active applica ton to his profession, it may be mentioned that when he was minister and held the portfolio of secretary of the navy he shortly retired rom the ex- alted position giving his reason that he preferred active service in the navy to be. ing a recluse in Madrid.
 He received his final education as is de. manded by the service, and graduated therefrom at the naval academy of San Fernando, corresponding to our Annapolis. From serving on a training ship he was commissioned to foreign service, and in 1859 was engaged in naval operations on the coast of Morocco, principally in protecting Spanish transports and provisions and watching the coast. He saw much service in the Philippines, and was again employed in 1862 in Cochin China, south of the pres- ent Chinese empire.
 He commanded a frigate in the war of 1866 in the P icfic fleet under Admiral To- pete, then in hostilities with the republics of Peru and Chilli. During the last rebel lion in Cuba, 1s68-78, he commanded the warship Santa Lucia
 Captain Cervera rendered considerable service in his activity in patrolling the coasts of Cuba and in making it difficult for filibustering expeditions getting into the island during the war of 1S6S-7S, and the ability displayed in evading warships is undoubtedly the result of the vast prao- tical experience gained in plotting acquired during his long service as commander of a vessel during the late Cuban war. He was in London for short term, relieving the chfSf of Spains permanent naval com- mission bureau Spain has had in London for many yeas, the salary of the chief be- ing considerable.
 Cervera is a naval architect and construct tor of some eminence, as he gave many of the best ideas that have been embodied in the construction of the first-class battle- ship Peayo, which vessel he commanded for short time.
 Admiral Cervera in appearance has the face of a kind and good man, open, frank and rather broad carrying pleasant ex- pression, which always meets you. His forehead is high and his features are reg ular He wears close, thick beard and mustache, now perfectly white. He re- sembles a Cataonian or a Basque more than native of the warm and excftable southern Spain whence he comes He is the recipient of number of medals and dec- orations. He wears but few of them. The meritorious cross of San Hermenegido for bravery and the cross for naval merit are among the few of which he is the proudest.
 Cervera is possessed of technical knowl, edge of high degree, having spent a good part of his service in voluntary hard study in all the navai advances He is a master of modern artillery, not only in that branch Of science appertafnlng to the navy, but also as applied to Notifications. He Is an expert on explosives and is well versed in the ranifcations and complex science of torpedoes.