Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1898-08-11
COMMODORE WATSON.

COMMODORE WATSON.
The Onicsr Selected to Invade the Spanish
Coast-Lashed Farragut to the Rigging.
Commodore Watson. who was Sc.
iected for the important work of me.
racing tho Spanish coast, 10 an able
and efficient officer, as modest as he is
able, and who has been performing a
duty of the utmost importance and
value tO the country concerning which
very little has been printed. Commo-
dore John Crittenden Watson. who
with o fleet composed for the most part
OF small ships has been maintaining
the blockade of Havana and other
North Cuban ports. is man who by
virtue of his commission is the senior
both of Sampson and Schley, and yet
reports to the former. Commodore
Schley is, on the naval register, acting
Rear Admiral SIMPSONS senior by two
numbers, and by the same token Com.
modore Watson ranks ahead of Schley
1t is probably not remembered by
many that it was the same Commodore
Watson, then young lieutenant. who
lashed Farragut to the rigging during
the battle of Mobile Bay. This incl.
dent of the great struggle between the
States long since became historic, and
poets and artists have found in 1t the
inspiration for some of their best and
most spirited work. This is the story
briefly told:
The powerful Confederate ironclad
Tennessee attacked the Hartford
fiercely. Farragut took up his position
in the port mizzen rigging, the better
and to direct and cheer on his men
Lieutenant Watson. seeing the great
danger to which the interepid admira,
was exposing himself. procured a rope
and lashed him in his place. In let
ter which Lieutenant Watson wrote tc
tons in detail the reckless bravery OF
Farragut, and adds: AT length / LASH
ed him to the rigging with my own
hands, having in vain begged him not
to stand in such an exposed place"
The relations which existed between
Admiral Farragut and his flag lieuten.
ant were of the mo6t affectionate de-
scription. In his official report Of the
Mobile battle. Farragut showed what
he thought of young Watson. "Lieuten.
brought to your attention in former
times. He was on the poop attending
to the signals and performed his duty
as might be expected, thoroughly. He
is scion worthy Of the noble stock he
sprang from, and | commend him to
your attention"
There is no better blood in the navy
than flows in the veins Of Commodore
Watson. He was born in Frankfort
KY, Aug "a, 1912. His father, Edward
Howe Watson. was a skilful and popu.
lar physician of the old school, and his
mother, Sarah Lee Crittenden Watson
was daughter of John Jordan Crit.
tenden, the famous Kentucky states.
man, rival of Henry Clay, governor at
one time Of Kentucky and attorney
cabinet.
Commodore Watson was married In
1873 to Miss Elizabeth Thornton, dis.
tant connection, and daughter of Judge
James Thornton of San Francisco The
result Of this union was eight children
seven of whom are living. The eldest
son, John Edward Watson, is an en-.
sign in the navy, and III now attached to
the cruiser Detroit. Commodore Wat.
sons naval career has been a notable
one. He entered the Naval Academy
Sept. 30, 1856, and was graduated in
June, 1860, standing high in his class
He was Immediately assigned to the
rank of midshipman, aad Aug. Is join.
ed the Susquehanha in that capacity
for cruise to Europe. While he was
abroad the civil war broke out, and
he returned at once to take part in it
He was promoted TO the rank of mas.
ter Aug. 81, 1861. FIis career as a
fighter did not really begin, however
until Jan. 10, 1862, when he was or
dered to the Hartford as navigator
This was Admiral Farragut's flagship
He was commissioned a lieutenant
July 16, 1862. and in January, 1864, he
was made flag lieutenant to Farragut
He was at the battles of New Orleans
Mobile Bay, Vicksburg and Port Hud.
son. In letter to his son Loyal dur.
ing the war Admiral Farragut tells OF
Watson's volunteering TO slip off and
blow up blockade runner. Among
other things he says: 1T was an anx.
ious night for me, as am about as
fond OF Watson as am of your own