New-York tribune., 1901-01-11


Fifth-ave. He had come TO this city. together
with Miss N R. Adams, Mrs. T. B. Mason, NJ.
Mason and Mrs ]. a. Adams, to be with Mrs.
Phelps, who has been sick at the New-York Hos
pital for the last three weeks.
Rear Admiral Phelps was born In Maine. and
was appointed from that State January Il lS0.
From March 10 December. 1910. he attached to
the sIoop Preble the coast OF Labrador and
the Bay OF Fundy. He served in the Preble In the
Mediterranean Squadron and in the sloop Boston.
of the Brazil Squadron He was promoted to
passed midshipman on July II, 1915. On November
IS. 1916. in the Boston. he wrecked the
Island of Elenthera West Indies. He ordered
10 the steamer Polk for duty and special ser
vice In Mexico In 1871. After being ordered 10 the
Coast Survey he attached 10 the schoons-s
Nautilus and J. T Mason and steamer Degare.
He was attached 10 the frigate Constitution, Of
the Mediterranean Squadron. from December 1850.
February 1851. After surveying the Eliza beth
River and the Norfolk Navy Yard and serving
in the Pacific Squadron. he served throughout the
Indian War In Washington Territory in 1856 SO.
He was promoted 10 master March l. 1855. and
commissioned as lieutenant September II 1855.
He took part in the Battle OF Seattle on January
es 1856 and In the Paraguay expedition.
In March 1861 ne attached TO the expedi-
ton for the relief Of Fort Sumter. 1t decided
that one naval officer skilled in surveying should
he detached for special service 70 cooperate with
the Army and Navy, and Lieutenant Phelps was
selected In consequence OF the destruction OF
High tboats buoys and ranges and the erection of
heavy batteries by the rebels the Potomac River
was made almost impossible. and a survey and
chart Of the river became imperative Six steamers
were placed az Lieutenant Phelps's disposal for
this purpose Selecting two. he successfully exc
cuted the work In 1851 he transferred to the
steamer Corwin for secret service. He engaged in
a skirmsh with rebel gunboats in Pamlco Sound
on November g. 1851; fought the rebel gunboat Cur
lew in Hatteras Inlet November II, 1861, and re-
ceived the compliments of the Secretary OF the
Navy. In December. 1851 he performed secret SER
vice In Virginia waters. and in March. 1862
attached TO the North Atlantic bockading squad
ron. In April, 1862. he assigned the
nand of a division for operations in the OF
Gloucester Point, Va. At York River April y
he had three engagements with rebel batteries
In an enga cement at Queens Point. Va. he capt
ured five and caused the destruction OF two OF the
euemy'S vessel on May T. 1862, he prevented the
destruction of the White House Bridge He had
frequent skrmishes with the main body of the
rebel army its retreat from Yorktown on May
and 8. He prevented the junction of large force
Of the enemy with their main body at Maupony
He was commissioned as a lieutenant-commander
on July l6 1862. He made complete survey of
Potomac River In 1862 and 1863 in the face or re
from rebel infantry and artillery. He commanded
the steam Sloop Juanita at the capture or Fort
Fisher.
He was commissioned Commander on August
g. 1860 and a captain June 10, 1871. He was pro-
NOTED to commodore January Is, 1873, and COM
manded the Mare Island Navy Yard from January
Is 1881 to March X, 1889. In lSSS-& he commanded
the South Atlantic station. He became Rear
Admiral on March !. 1854. and was retired on NO
Vember ., 1854