The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-09-30
How onnortunItv was Lost.

ing one OF the m1st distinguished ng-
tires OF the war with Spain. sharing the
honors and the promotion which Dewey
received sickness at critical time lost
him his chance; for no one who knows
Admiral sicard's record questions that
had he remained In command he would
have handled his feet with as much
skill. vaior and success as any oficer
in the service
At the outbreak OF the war with
Spain Admiral sicard was in command
Of the North Atlantic squadron. which
comprised practically all Of the vessels
on the Atlantic: the Mediterranean
squadron and the South Atlantic squad
ron each having been disbanded. He
was the actual commander-in-chief OF
all Of the naval forces of the United
states save those which were In the
waters of the Pacific He had been Sc
iectea for the position with an eve TO
the expected trouble. He was three
years the senior OF Dewey in rank. and
had made a brilliant record during the
ciyil war, in which he served under Far
ragut In the Gulf as executive officer
Of the Oneida participating In all OF
the engagements Of the feet. II was
in the same fleet that Dewey, as
watch and division officer won HIS first
honors Admiral Sicard was an earn
est student OF his profession. had be-
come an ordnance expert, and II was
under his direction. as chief OF ord
nance, that the introduction OF high
power guns in the navy first took place.
! His selection as cornmander-in-chief
| OF the Atlantic naval forces. en- which It
was expected that the bulk OF the fight
| ing would fall. was heartily approved
| by all familiar with Admiral Sicard's
| qualifications for the position. II was
looked upon as the one great opportu-
nifty afforded a naval officer in this
| generation. The feet under Sicard's
command was charred with the duty OF
| protecting the Atlantic seacoast cities,
destroying the Spanish naval power on
! the Atlantic, bloekading the coas, Of
| Cuba. and attacking and ~ possible
/ capturing the important Cuban ports.
or at least opening the way for the in
vasion Of the island. II was recognized
that the navy had the most important
task TO perform In the war, and that
the man commanding the naval forces
had the highest and best opportunities
the command which Dewey had was in
significant as compared TO that intrust-
ed 10 sicard. Until the brilliant VIC
tory Of Manila bay. the Asiatlc feet had
scarcely attracted a moments attention
from the reading public.
1t Is among the ironies OF fate that
sicard lost the grand opportunity which
thus came his way. through no fault Of
his own. and that hts successor and
the officers and men who served under
him have received little credit and no
reward for their brilliant and success
fui work, owing 70 an unfortunate con-
troversy which arose between the POI
lltleai friends Of the two senior officers.
Admiral sleard was far from being
IN robust health at the time he assumed
command The immense amount Of In
Dor thrown upon him, In connection
with preparing the hlE feet. into which
was being hastily eonscrtpted the large
number o. vessels constituting the aux
HAIRY navy. proved too much for him.
He broke down rapidly, aud In eouse-
auence large share Of his work fell
on the shoulders o. Capt Sampson the
senior efflcer q The noet Finally =
board 81 survey was ordered upon ST.
card; he was condemned as unat for
duty. and was placed on sick leave be-
fore the actual outbreak OF hoxtnfiss.
cant Sampson was the senior amcer
q the acet he was man q; disua-
Euished record. Of high professional
character. aad Oy the retirement o. ST.
card ne came Into temporary command
o. the aeet while u r. extremely IN
llkely that the various admlrals and
coumo1ores IA the navy would ever
P have been passed over originally and
this Important command given to a sim.
Pile captain. order ordinary circu,a-
stances. the retirement ~ sicara gave
sampson his opportunity lie was II
, astaal command ~ tae feet. be had
b aone a great share ot the Tag cheers
b work while sicard Was disabled ne Wa
pre- -emlnentIy qualified for high com.
nana. and hos,llitiss were Just about 4
commence. Under the circumstance
Sampson was Immediately confirmed "a
tie command which he was Temporarily
holding. and received the rank % act
Ing rear admiral Sicari's opportunity