The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1898-07-27
MARINER OF MANY PARTS.
Rear Admiral Sampson Model
Officer and a Man of Science.

Years ago Raleigh declared that "a
good mariner ought to have all knOwl-
edge of carnal and worldly cunning that
he may turn his hand to anything that
may hap And since his day most of
the great sea Captains have been men
such as he sought in his many peril
Gus enterprises
Notable as an example of the man,
prophesied by the old courtier, soldier
and sailor is the subject of this appre-
ciation-Acting Rear Admiral William
II. Sampson. Sir Walters description
fits him neatly indeed completely, for
he is a very high development of the
practical sea- going officer and of the
trained man of science. In his day he
had to play many parts, and in all of
these he has been the shining illustra-
ton of what soundness of temperament
and breadth of mind may achieve. He
is skilled mechanic, and famed ex-
pert in the science of ordnance; he is a
mathematician of high order, and a
notable Captain of a ship. He has been
superintendent of a great school of
learning, and has directed the construc-
ton of every type of modern gun. He
was brought up under sail, and he is
an electrician of accepted reputation;
he has reefed an angry topsail without
splitting a rope yarn, and he has Gre
ated a new and valuable formula in
the highest mathematics.
He is deeply read in literature, and
dexterous with the hammer and file;
he is skilled in literary expressions and
has successfully organized and con-
trolled labor. His knowledge is ency
clopedic and colorful, and he absorbs
without study, because he scorns nom
essentials and has the gift Of touching
the vital point on first principles. Above
all he is human, though cool and analy
teal, and he governs as much by the
affections as with the intellect.
This model officer now so much in
the public mind, was born in Palmyra,
Wayne County, n. Y, of sound stock
and worthy ancestry in 1S41. He en-
tered the Naval Academy at Annapolis
in 1857, and after a full course,
marked by unusual distinction, he was
graduated at the head of his class in
1861. He was ordered Immediately
into active service, receiving a COM
mission as Lieutenant in 1862, and four
years later, when the war broke out,
the commission of Lieutenant Com
mander.
five and twenty his reputation for
GOODNESS, skill, intrepidity and ability
had been already made. He was often
under fire; he had several narrow es-
capes-but he came out Of it all, with a
fine record, and such brilliant promise
of future usefulness, that his growth
in official and service appreciation was
rapid. In 1874 he was promoted to
Nd hx,t tirooa h
cial predictions for ordnance and gum
merry had been wisely fostered; he
forged rapidly to the front as one of
the first experts in this country and
ultimately in the world. 1t is unneces-
sary in any brief enumeration of his
unceasing work to give the details Of
his various duties, for set down with
out their informing color, they would
be unjust in their inadequacy. He had
active service afioat az executive OFF,
Ger of the Congress on notable cruise;
he was a Captain of ships; he saw
much duty at and in connection with
the Ordnance Bureau, and when the
navy was recreated he was probably
the most prominent officer particularly
employed upon this essay. He COM
manded the San Francisco, when first
commissioned, and by general acclaim
she was the crack ship in a notable
squadron: he was Superintendent in
the Naval Academy, and later Chief
of Ordnance, in the meantime achiev-
ing his rank of Captain in 1883, and
holding it when he went to the Iowa
and subsequently succeeded Rear Adj
miral Sicard in command Of the squad
ron.
He controls to-day, with the rank OF
Acting Rear Admiral, the most power
full fleet ever assembled under our flag
and the country may be sure that It's
interests are confided to safe hands
]. D. Jerrold Kelley, Lieutenant Com
mander United States Navy, in Crl-
teriOn