Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1900-01-25
ANNAPOLIS. MD THURSDAY. JANUARY rs. 1900.
THE GLOUCESTER'S HERO.
BRAVE WAINW RIG II T
GETS A SWORD
And Silver Service-Washing-
ton Citizens Honor The Man
Who Sunk Cervera's Tor
pedo Boats.

Who Sunk Cervera's Tor
pedo Boats.
In the presence OF an immense aud
ience, including the President, his entire
Cabinet. the ranking officers OF the mill
tary and naval branches of the service,
leading officials Of the Government and
prominent citizens of Washington. Com
mander Richard Wainwright was yester-
day given substantial evidence OF the
high regard and esteem in which he is
held by the people OF that city.
The feat of Commander Wainwright
which the people Of Washington recog-
nized yesterday afternoon in presenting
him with sword and magnificent silver
service set was in some ways the most
spectacular event of the war. for it was
the sole single ship fight in which one
commander had little else to depend on
for his success than the courage and the
spirit of his officers and men. The
capacity Of the Columbia Theatre was
fully taxed 10 accommodate those who
wished TO be present and testify their re-
gard for the hero. Every seat and every
box vas filled and standing room was
scarcely to be found. Bright uniforms
of the army and navy men stationed here
and there, who went from Annapolis, to-
geiher with the tasteful decorations, in
which the national colors blended, gave
picture seldom seen in theatre in that
city. The kentire orchestra space was
occupied by TIE Marine Band, in its
gorgeous uniforms.
President Mckinley and his entire
Cabinet were seated in the lower boxes,
while in the others were General Miles
and party and prominent bureau chiefs
OF the Navy Department. On the stage
in a great semi circle, were Secretary
Long. former Secretary Herbert. Admiral
Dewey. Captain Cook and Captain Clark.
who commanded the Oregon; Lieutenant
Commander Colvocoresses, executive
officer OF the Gloucester; Paymaster Ray.
who was on the Name with Captain
Wainwright; Commander Seaton Schroe-
der. Lieutenant Eberly, General Harries,
+. p. B. Sands, Charles J. Bell, c. c.
Glover and Commander Wainwright. In
conspicuous place near the front Of the
stage was the sword and silver service.
After the "Stai-Spangled Banner" had
been rendered the chairman OF the meet
ing, John Joy Edison, introduced Mr.. +.
P. B. Sands. who delivered the address
of presentation.
To Secretary Long fell the duty of
handing the sword to Captain Vain
wright. which he did in the following
speech:
"This is roll of honor. Commander
Wainwright, which is known as that Of
the bravest of the brave. On that i'm
perishable roll your name has been writ
ten by your countrymen. In token of
your title present to you, to have and
TO hold, and to hand down to your boy,
the loving gift OF your many friends"
General Harries then presented the
silver service. saying in part;
"The world loves the fighting man,
but incessant pugnacity is troublous and
wearisome, so the world looks with salts
faction upon him who has earned the
right to enjoy the pleasures OF that home
OF which he has often dreamed between
the combats OF his campaigns
Commander Wainwright rose while the
theatre Numbered applause. He bowed,
but the crowd would not cease their
shouts, and tor a full minute he stood
nervously waiting. Then he said
al am proud to hail from this city,
where | was born and reared and from
which entered the naval service. To
think the people at home are watching
your career makes man live and fight
straighter. thought when the cheers
rang out from the New York as she
passed the Gloucester on her way after
the fleet that had tasted the highest
pleasure. but this event is but repeti-
ton Of my feelings then. | accept this
testimony of my people with profound
thanks and shall always cherish these
gifts as coming from those love.
The sword is not unlike that given
Admiral Dewey by Congress. The blade
is OF the regulation steele, and inlaid in
gold is the inscription: ITO Commander
Wainwright. U. S. NJ, from His Fellow
Citizens OF Washington in Recognition OF
His Brilliant Victory Over and Sinking
the Spanish Torpedo Boats Furror and
Pluton When Commanding the u. S. S.
Gloucester, July 3. 1893. off Satiago de
Cuba"
All the mountings of the sword are OF
solid sold. and along the blade are pic
lures. wrought in the steel. of every ship
engaged in the Santiago battle. A foul
anchor and oak leaf are on the pommel,
the symbol OF his rank. and around the
edges are chased Is stars. while below
and on front Of the hilt are the coat of
arms OF the District and the American
eagle. The entire sword is encased in a
handsome box lined with velvet. The
silver service comprised eight pieces on a
solid silver tray and on each are the
initials engraved "R. W." 1t is massive
and beautiful in design and of a highly
artistic character.