New-York tribune., 1899-06-17
OBITUARY.
REAR-ADMIRAL PIERCE CROSBY.

Rear-Admral Pierce Crosby. whose death in
Washington vas recorded In yesterdays Tribune,
had stirring career in two wars. Born seventy
six years ago in Delaware County. Penn, he was
appointed a mldshipman in 1885. He served on
several ships in the Mediterranean and returned 10
the United States in 1s43 to go the Naval School
at Philadelphia. Promoted TO passed nldshipman
in 1874. he spent two years on the Coast Survey
until the summer Of 1876. when he ordered 10
the Decatur hnd served in the Mexican War taking
part In the attacks OF Tuxpan and Tobasco.
The years which intervened between the close OF
the Mexican War and the beginning OF the Civil
War he spent in cruising or In shore duty. but in
the Civil War he took an active part. Crosby. by
this time lieutenant. at first employed in
keeping open communication and cutting of sup
plies in Chesapeake Bay. where he captured and
destroyed Confederate vessels He was then or
dered 10 the frigate Cumberland. and transported
the troops Al Hampton Greek before and after the
fight at Big Bethel One of his exploits was the
landing OF troops at Forts Hatteras and Clarke IN
the face OF bad weather. Although the
heavy that he able to land only 400 officers and
men, yet by his advice they threw out strong
picket, and thus prevented the enemy from dis
covering their weakness The next day the squad
ron. which had been driven sea, returned and
captured the forts although they were found TO be
garrisoned by over seven hundred men.
After recovering from a dangerous attack OF
typhoid fever. brought on by exposure and prlva-
tions he resumed his duties. taking command Of
the gunboat Pinola. While on his way from Bal
timore to Join Admiral Farragut's squadron. he
captured a schooner loaded with cotton and sent
her North prize He commanded the Plnoa on
the night when she. with the Itaska cut the chain
barrier in the Mississippi at Forts Jackson and St.
Philip. The Itaska hard aground but CROSBY
released her before daylight So he had to blow u2
with torpedoes the vessels holding the chains d.
rectly under the guns of the fort. Three attempts
were made to blow them up; the first two were
unsuccessful because of floating tmbers breaking
the wires. In the first attempt to pull the Itaska
off the hawsers broke, but at last with n-inch
hawsor. ne was successful, and both boats passed
up through the CALLING fire Of the forts
Lieutenant Crosby was also engaged at the bonn
bariment Of these forts well as Of the Chalmette
batteries and at tho capture Of New-Orleans. He
was also at the passage and repassage OF Nlcks-
burg and at the engagement with the Arkansas
De was promoted to commander In septemoeer, e
ls62 and after short service In command ot me
Sangamon was made feet captain OF the North
Atlantic Squadron. under Admiral Lee. He also
operating with General DIX. He captured two
blockade runners at Masonborough Inlet under the
fire Of the shore batteries. in the winter OF 1853
while in command OF the Florida. The next year
he added five captured blockade runners 10 his
list while commanding the keystone STATE he he
manded her at Mobile Bay. At the latter place
he planned and directed the construction Of torpedo
moved 40 torpedoes and cleared the way for the
squadron TO pass safely up TO Mobile.
Of ordnance at the Norfolk Navy Yard 1859 TO
1870 at the Philadelphia Navy Yard ls7l 70 1872. and
latter year he was commissioned as commodore
and commanded the League Island Navy Yard from
s.S TO IS@ oSmTssiSned M s fsntic STATION that
year and the Asiatic Station in 1883. He was re-
tired on his own application in October, lSs5 since
that time and until his death he had lived in
Washington.