The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-07-29

TO sit In judgment upon the |
~ professional career of Rear |
Admiral Schley, one. Admiral |
Dewey, needs no Introduction to the |
American people. His record is familiar
to every school boy. But his colleague
judges, Rear Admirals Benham and |
Kimberly, though well known within |
naval circles, are not so well known |
generally. Therefore brief sketch of
each may possess interest.
Born in 1882, Admiral Benham en-
tered the navy in 1s47. He served with
distinction in The civil war, but his
most distinguished service was in 1894, |
the year of his retirement for age. The
Brazilian revolutionists had secured
control of the Brazilian navy and es-
tablished a blockade at Rio against
foreign merchantmen. There were pres
ent in the harbor warships from the
leading European countries, but their
commanders cortented themselves by
merely protesting against the blockade.
Admiral Benham, then a captain. sent
word to Admiral Melio, of the Revo-
lutionists, that he would not recognize
the blockade and If any American mer-
chant vessels arrived at Rio they must
be permitted to enter the harbor The
Brazilian admiral would not agree to
| this and while diplomatic controversy
was In progress two American vessels
laden with flour arrived. Admiral Ben
ham gave notice that he intended to
convoy the -four vessels to the city. The
little seCond-class cruiser Detroit, under
command of Lieutenant Commander
| Bronson, was ordered by Admiral Ben
ham to escort the two American mer-
chantmen through the blockade line.
! The American fleet cleared for action
and with shotted guns the Detroit
| steamed in alongside of one of the mer-
| chantmen. a blank cartridge was fired
by one of the Brazilian battleshps and
| in response Bronson sent a solid shot
which entered the stern post of the Bra
lillian. This ended the incident, the mer-
| Chantmen were allowed to enter and
| the blockade was completely broken.
The other member of the court of in
nuiry, Admiral Kimberly, was born in
! 1891 During the greater part of the
civil war he served as executive officer
on Admiral Farragut's flagship, the
| Hartford on this detail he met George
Dewey. Admiral Kimberley partici-
pated in many important naval actions
| during the War of the Rebellion. He
was also on the expedition to Corea,
and conducted that portion of the
forces that landed and captured the
| . oh
in-chief of the Pacific station Rear Ad-
mral Kimberley was in the great hur-
ricane of March IL and 16, 1859, when
| the Trenton and Nandalia were wrecked
and the Nipsic bcaChed at Apia, Samoa.
He 1t was who gave the order for the
American band to play the Star
Spangled Banner" during the height of
| the storm when the vessels in the har-
Dor We're battling with death. and he
led the cheering when the British ship
made its heroic effort to steam out OF
the harbor in the teeth of the hurri-
cane. During the delicate international
negotiations then in progress at Samoa
| involving the United States, Great
Britain and Germany, and when the
representative of the latter country was
conducting matters with high hand
Admiral Kimberley won mucn praise
from his superior officers because of
the firm and just manner by which he
upheld the rights of the United States.
He received commendatory letter
from the secretary of the navy for his
conduct of affairs at that time. Ad-
miral Kimberley was retired from ac-
tive service April 2, 1892, the day on
which he became siXty-two years old.
Men of this kind may be relied upon
to uphold and defend the honor oi the
navy and the reputation of any naval
officer who is unfairly criticized.