The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-07-01
ADMIRAL PHILIP DEAD.


| Succumbs to Heart Disease mt the
| Brooklyn Navy Yard.
| NEW YORK. June 30.-Admiral John
Woodward Philip, commandant of the
Brooklyn Navy Yard, one of the best
officers in the United States Navy. died at
| 3:15 o'clock this afternoon at his home
in the navy yard from heart disease. His
wife, one Of his sons, his sister, and his
nephew were within call when he breathed
his last, but the end came SO suddenly
| that the nurse, who was alone at his
bedside at that moment, had not time to
| summon them before all was over.
| Admiral Philip, notwithstanding his ap-
| peafance of health had been troubled
| by his heart for more than four years.
| About four years ago he had serious
| attack OF heart trouble that came rear
resulting in death. His health subse-
quently was comparatively good, however,
| until two weeks ago, when signs of the
heart difficulty reappeared.
Late on Thursday he left the CON-
mandant's office at noon ard went to
| Staten Island on a visit, returning about
/ II o'clock in the evening. Immed ately
after his return he was seized with severe
pains about the heart and had great diff
| ficulty in breathing He was put to bed,
| and Medical Director James A. Hawke. Of
| the Navy Yard medical staff was called.
| DR.. Hawke found the adniIals condition
| so critical that he at once called to bis
assistance Medical Director Wood and
Surgeon Riggs.
The three physicians stayed at the SICK
bed until o'clock in the morning, when
slight Improvement was apparent. On
Friday DR.. Frank L. West DR.. Rail- AID
DR.. McCorkle, all OF Brooklyn. were called
in. ard from that time on two physicians
were in attendance almost all the time. 1t
was announced that the admiral was i'll.
but it was thought better not to let any
one outside the family circle know how
serious the situation was, as it was feared
that calls by anxious friends would dis
turb the sick room.
Admiral Philip himself did not seem to
appreciate the severity OF the attack. At
least he said nothing that indicated an ap-
prehension Of approaching death He was
conscious to the last moment,
1t became apparent about 1 O'Clock this
afternoon that crisis was approaching.
The pains about the admiral's heart had
become less. but the respiration became
furried and difficult. Oxygen gas was ad-
ministered and everything was done to
postpone the end
At 3:15 Miss Arnold the nurse, was
with the patient DR.. Riggs had just
gone to fetch some medicine from the next
room where the members of the family
were assembled when the admiral turned
on his side and breathed deeply. That was
the last breath and his heart stopped
beating. Death apparently had come with
out pain.
The national flags and the admiral's
Tag in the navy yard were lowered to half
mast. announcing the death to the world.
The funeral services over tho admiral's
body will be held at the navy yard at
o'clock Monday afternoon. The body will
then be taken on tug to Jersey City and
placed aboard a Pennsylvania Railroad
train, which leav S Jersey City at o'clock
for Annapolis. The interment will be made
at the national cemetery at Annapolis, on
Tuesday afternoon.
Rear Admiral John W. Philip was born
in New York City on August 26 1910, and
was appointed a cadet at the Naval Acad-
emy at Annapolis from his native State
on September 20. 1856. He became a mid
shipman on January l. 1861, and was at
tached first to the frigate Constitution and
later to the frigate Santee. On June l.
1851. he was promoted to acting master and
was ordered to the sloopo war Marion
then of the Gulf Blockading Squadron. In
the early part OF 1862 he was ordered to
was commissioned lieutenant on July 16.
1852, and was successively executive officer
Of the Chippewa, Pawnee, and the monitor
Montauk of the South Atlantic Blockading
Squadron. He was commended for ability
and galiantry in the siege of Charleston
and while attached to the Pawnee was
wounded in one leg. From January, 1865
10 September. 1867, he was the executive
officer OF the Wachusett, on the Asiatic
station.
Lieutenant Philip received his commits
sion as lieutenant commander July 25
1868. From September, 1867, to August
1868. he was executive officer of the Hart
ford. flagship Of the Asiatic Squadron and
from December. 1858, to November, 1871,
he served as executive officer of the Rich
mond, flagship of the European Squadron
and in September. 1872 returned to the
Hartford. IN which ship he served till June
1873 when he was ordered to the command
OF the Monocacy. On February 2S. 1874, he
was detached on leave Of absence.
In those days there were so many naval
officers and so few ships that the Depart
ment permitted officers on leave to engage
in other work for two years. Lieutenant
Commander Philip became captain of a Pa
oific Mail steamship. Meanwhile he was
promoted to commander, and in July, 1876,
was ordered to the Adams. In the follow
ing year he commanded the Woodruff Sci
entifc Expedition, and in the Tuscarora
late in 1877, began survey of the western
coast of Mexico and Central America. He
was on the Ranger from 1880 to 1888 and
for the four years which followed was
lighthouse inspector. He was promoted to
captain in 1889. while in command of the
receiving ship Independence, at the Marc
Island Navy Yard.
He commanded the Atlanta from 1890 to
1891, and in December of the latter year
was assigned general inspector of the
cruiser New York. then building in the
Cramps yard. He was appointed to the
command Of the ship when she went into
commission. Afterward he was com
maniant of the navy yard at Boston, where
he remained until October Is, 1897, when
he took command of the Texas.
Rear Admiral Philip succeeded Rear
Admiral Bunce as cCmmandant OF the
Brooklyn Navy Yard on January 10, 1899
the last named officer having been placed
upon the retired list on December 25 1898
Probably the greatest service which Ad-
miral Philip rendered his country was
while he commanded the Texas during the
Spanish American war. He was present |
with his ship In the sea fight off Santiago |
which resulted Ia the destruction OF Ad- |
miral Cervera's squadron. 1t is recorded |
that one of the Spanish ships was |
burning and sinking. Captain Philip |
checked the cheering of his men. saying: |
Don't cheer. boys. The poor devils are |
dying"
1t was reported at the time that directly |
after the defeat of the enemy's squadron,
Captain Philip led divine service aboard |
his ship. giving thanks to the Ruler OF the
Universe for the victory.
When Philip was assigned to duty Is
captain of the Texas an official of the