The herald., 1898-05-05
HEROES OF THE
BATTLE OF MANILA
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praise are on every American lip To-Day
won applause from naval chieftains IN the
, civil war, and Admiral Porter, in referring
to the conduct Of Captain Smith and LIEU
tenant Dewey in connection with the de-
struction Of the Mississippi, remarked: IN
10 In such trying moments that men show
Of what metal they are made, and in this
instance the metal was Of the very best.
The Mississippi, with Dewey second In
command, served at the passage of the
forts below New Orleans and In the de
struction of the Confederate ram Manas-
sas. In March, 1868, while attempting to
pass the batteries at Fort Hudson, the
Mississippi grounded in twenty-three feet
of water and heeled to port. In spite of
every effort of her officers and crew, she
could not be moved. The enemy got the
range and were hulling her at every shot.
At last the order was given to fire the
ship. When the flames had obtained suf-
| ficient Roadway the ship was abandoned
under a most heavy fire, and Captain
Smith and Lieutenant Dewey. who had
made the vessel so efficient, were the last
| to leave the burning wreck The action
was approved by Admiral Farragut and the
navy department. The Mississippi, by the
way, had borne Perry's broad pennant at
the opening of Japan to the world, and
| was splendid vessel, but her destruc-
ton was unavoidable. The fine qualities
of Dewey as ar officer were brought forth
| then in a marked degree. Thirty-five
years have pa ssed since the Mississippi cpl
| sode. and now Rear Admiral Dewey has
proved his title clear to a place in his
country's temple of fame alongside of the
| Joneses. the Decaturs, the Perrys, the
| Cushngs, the Wordens and the Farraguts.
A brief description of Rear Admiral
| Deweys life appeared In the San Francisco
| Call recently. There Is also a general in
| terest in the brave captains and COM
| manders who served under him at the great
| battle of Manila bay.
| Captain Joseph Bullock Coghlan of the
Raleigh is a Kentuckian by birth, but
California claims him as an adopted son.
He is a graduate of Annapolis, having been
appointed from Illinois in 1860. He was
commissioned lieutenant in 1866, Lieutenant
commander two years later and command.
err in 1882. He is we'll known on this coast,
having been stationed al Mare Island dur
ing 1SS6-SS, and having commanded yes
sells at different times in these waters. He
is one Of the most popular of officers and
fairly idolized by his crew. No one who
knows him ever doubted that he would
make record when opportunity offered.
His initial war service was in the battle CT
Manila bay. His present command was
assumed March %, 1891
Captain Charles Vernon Gridley of the
Olympia Is a Hooser by birth, and was
appointed to the United States naval acad-
envy from Michigan in 1860, graduating
three years later. He was In the battle OF
Mobile bay in 1864, and knew what fighting
was before he assisted In teaching the
Spaniards the costly lesson of April 3Oth.
Along with Captain Dyer and other naval
chiefs of today he ran the Mobile gauntlets
with Farragut and saw with his own eyes
victory come to a commander who sailed
his fleet up to line of torpedoes, and then.
seeing them. said Damn the torpedoes,"
and sailed on over them without slack
ing speed. He was well fitted in every way
lCI service ae1nanueu me
early hours of Saturday morning, when
the American fleet forced the passage into
the harbor of the capital of the Philippines
He was commissioned lieutenant in 1867:
lieutenant commander a year later AMI
commander in 1889. He was appointed to
the command of the Olympia last July.
Captain N. Mayo Dyer of the Baltimore
entered the volunteer navy n 1861 as a
masters mate, and served in the Gulf
squadron until he was promoted to acting
ensign for gallant and meritorious service.
He gave up leage of absence to be with
Farragut at Mobile bay. He won such
distinction in the civil war, and his hazard
Gus exploits would make a large-sized vol
ume. While cruising off the Mexican coast,
in command of the OsSipee In 1870, the YES
sci encountered hurricane, and one of
the sailors was swept into the sea. Com
mander Dyer, who was taking an observa-
ton on the poop deck Immediately turned
a bowline In the end of boat fall jumped
into the sea and saved the man from
sharks or drowning. For this act he re-
ceived a medal and was publicly thanked
He was promoted commander in 1883, and to
the captaincy of the Baltimore last August.
His brother commanders envy his splendid
sailorship.
Commander Benjamin PETER Lamber-
ton of the Boston was appointed to the
United States naval academy from Penn
sylvania, his native state, in 1861, gradual
ing in 1864. re received lieutenants COM
mission in 1867; was appointed lieutenan,
commander in 1868 and commander in 1855.
He has served as lighthouse inspector and
member of the bureau of yards and docks,
is well-liked, efficient ofscer, and has
seen fourteen years of actual sea service.
Like Captain Coghlan, his first war service
was in the Philippines.
Commander Asa Walker of the Concord
was appointed from New Hampshire Nov.
81, 1862: made ensign in 1868 and master
year later. In 1854 he was appointed lieu
tenant commander and in 1894 commander.
He assumed command of the Concord on
the Asiatic station May %, 1897. He is a
thorough-going American and an able and
sagacious officer.
Commander Edward P. Wood, native of
the Buckeye state. entered the navy as
midshipman in 1863; was promoted to ell
sign in 1868; master in 1870 and lieutenant
a year later. In 1890 he was made lieu
tenant commander and on July 10, 1887,
commander. He has been in command of
the Petrol since December, 1885, on the
Asiatic station. In his naval career of
thirty-five years. Commander Wood has
been unemployed but thirteen months ana
Is esteemed for his excellent qualities both
as a man and sailor.
| Commander Albion C. Hodgson is one of
| the younger officers of the squadron, hav-
Ing been appointed from Georgia in 1871
He became midshipman in 1875; ensign in
the centennial year; lieutenant in 1888. He
| had been on duty at the naval academy
short while, when he was sent a few
months ago to the ASiatic station and