Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-10-05

Tudor jerks tells in tho October 81
Nicholas the story of Admiral Dewey's
brilliant career. 80,
Congress introduced tho rank OF ad-
miral in 1864 for David Glasgow Farra-
gut, whose father was Spaniara'
David DIXON Porter was the second'
George Dewey is our third admiral
George Dewey was born III Montpelier,
Vt, the day after Christmas in ls3i--
the wear Ericsson. of Monitor fame,
first applied tho screw propeller TO
steamships; and yet this great improve
mont came so slowly into use that the
first vessel on which Dewey. Mt the age
Of -, served asa lieutenant was side.
wheeler.
The Deweys are of English descent,
and Georges father was % country
doctor, who, in 1925, married Mary
Perrin. There were four children
three boys, George being the third, and
a daughter, the youngest. The stories
told Of Georges boyhood show him to
have been a plucky and manly little
youngster, whom his father called his
"little hero" He was wiry, active,
fond of "Robinson Crusoe," and never
afraid of o fight for good cause. He
went barefoot, gave theatrical shows in
the barn, and was altogether the sort
of boy that boys liko-such nice little
chap as may be found in nearly every
schoohouse in the land.
| At Is he went to the Norwich Mill
tary A cademy, and while there decided
to enter Annapolis, winning his fathers
consent with difficulty. Entering the
Naval Academy at II, Dewey graduated
| in 1858, standing fifth in class of Ia.
He was popular, and an especially good
swimmer and athlete. For two years
he cruised ms a midshipman in the
Mediterranean, and upon his return
passed his examination with credit,
aud was commissioned lieutenant.
When the Civil War began, Dewey
was appointed first lieutenant on the
United States steamer Mississippi, q
side wheeler one of the oldest vessels
in tho navy--co commanded by Capt.
Melancthon Smith. This vessel was
part of farragut's Gulf Squadron, and
was holly engaged in opening the Mis-
sissippi River and taking New Orleans
in 1862 Dewey stood on the bridge
during the fight with Forts jackson
and st. Philip when the Union and
Confederate gunners were so near
that they could exchange words--and
| tllt NuullS OiltbI was bODoHibuoho iot
his cool bravery and efficient service.
On the way TIP the river, Dewey's ves-
sci drove ashore and destroyed the Con
federate ram Manassas.
Farragut afterward said TO Dewey Is
father.
Sir, your son George is a worthy
and brave officer. He has an honora-
hle record, and some day will make
his own mark. -
But Farragut would have been
amazed if he could have known that,
of all the officers of tho navy, this young
officer would be second to succeed him
as admiral of the navy, and would wir
his promotion in bnttle with the Span.
iards, the countrymen of Farragut's
father.
The next year brought disaster to thu
Mississippi. She grounded during the
battle at Port Hudson, and was burned
Dewey was active in taking off the
crew and afterward escaped, with the
loss, it is said, of his coat tails,
Tho young lieutenant continued il
active service, and in the fights with
Fort Fisher, in 1861 and 1865, SHOWED
his ceverness by going so close to thu
shore in the Colorado that the enemy
shot went over the vessel.
In March, 1865, Dewey was appointed
. lieutenant commander.
After the Civil War, Dewey was il
service on the Kearsarge and the Col
orado; in 1867 he married Miss Susai
Goodwin, daughter of governor o
, New Hampshire. To pass rapidly owe
! the peaceful years that follow, it vii
= suffice to say that Dewey was at tn
!. Naval Academy till 1870, when he tool
command of the Narragansett; in 1877
he was appointed commander, am
served on the Lighthouse Board; il
1882 he was in the Asiatic Squadron
commanding the Juniata thus acquir
: ing his first knowledge of Easter
. waters-and two years later becam
y captain Of the Dolphin and afterwar
= OF tho Pensacola in the Europea
Squadron.
Ills subsequent service include
=. work on the Lighthouse Board and til
: Bureau of Equipment; and as Commc
= dore he was head of the Board of In
!. spection and Survey. 1t is not strane
u that the admiral is man thorough
equipped, after so long service i
peace and war.
In November, 1897, his health nc
beirg good. Dewey asked 10 be assigne
to sea service, and was sent to con
y mand our squadron in tho East, and wa
at Hongkong when the war with Spai
began. The story Of his brilliar
achievement at Manila is too recent I
need present rehearsal. On March &c
1880, he was made Admiral of I'll
navy. The whole nation will recei,
a him with the warmcst welcome and I'll
j. highest honors. Congress approximate
o $40, 900 to provide bronze medals I,
;, the men of his fleet. and sword {
h honor for the admiral himself. Th
j. sword will be presented te him on til
steps of the White House by the Pres
:. dent--an unprecedented distinction.
n And the admiral is the same modes
% capable officer MS before all the.
II glories. He said good -naturedly, n,
n long ago, to correspondent: 1T
hard business, this being hero. f"
Wonderful Find of Iron.
Consular Reports for September a6t
InSrri xupn1nrfuI haI IS l,n,,. 4.