The Washington times., 1902-05-07

| sonai 1rlend OF Representative morgan
Learning that Mr.. Morgan had in his gift
the appointment OF cadet at the Naval
Academy. Mr.. Southwick brought the fu-
ture admiral to his notice.
At the Naval Academy.
Mr.. Morgan liked the boy quite as well
as Mr.. Southwick, and had him appointed
miishipman in 1857. His studious hab-
its and aptitude won him the good will
of his instructors in the academy. He
graduated in 1861. but was too young tc
be given a command during the civil
war.
On his graduation. young Sampson went
on board the frigate Potomac. While serv-
ing on this ship he was. in 1861. promoted
to the rank OF master. In July of the
next year he was commissioned lieuten-
ant and assigned to the practice ship
John Adams. serving with this vessel un-
til 1863.
In 1864 he was for several months de-
tailed to duty at the Naval Academy.
\ From there he was transferred to the
ironclad Patapsco. of the South Atlantic
Blockading Squadron.
His Vessel Blown Up.
| Lieutenant Sampson was executive Of
fcer of the Patapsco when she was blown
up in Charleston Harbor. January 15.
1865. The Confederates knew that sooner
or later the vessels of the blockadins
fleet would make an attempt TO enter the
the surrender OF the city. Accordingly
they spent their time in laying torpe-
docs and submarine mines.
When the admiral in command of the
squsdron finally decided to force an en-
trance to the harbor. he delegated to the
Patapsco the highly dangerous duty of en-
tering the harbor ahead of the fleet for
the purpose of picking up or destroying
the submarine mines and torpedoes.
In Most Exposed Position.
AS executive officer of the ship. Lieu
tenant Sampson occupied the most ex-
posed position-the bridge of the vessel.
AS the vessel entered the harbor she
came within range of the bullets of the
rebel sharpshooters, which literally swept
the decks.
AS the fire grew hotter and hotter. Lieu
tenant Sampson ordered all the sailors
and marines to go below. but still kept
his dangerous position on the bridge. Sud-
denly the firing ceased. and the lieuten-
ant could see the rifiemen on shore hold
ing their guns and waiting. The Patapsco
crawled nearer and nearer through the
ominous silence. until suddenly she was
lifted half out of the water by the shock
of terrible explosion. Two other ex-
plosions quickly succeeded. and the Pa
tapsco doubled up like pasteboard
box and sank.
Hurled 100 Feet in Air.
Lieutenant Sampson was hurled a hun
dred feet in the air by the force of the
shock and fell in the water many yards
from the sinking ship. He was rescued
by several Of the crew who had escaped
death. or the men on board the Patap- |
SEQ twenty-five were saved and seventy |
killed
In 1866 Lieutenant Sampson was as
signed TO the steam frigate Colorado, the
flagship of the European Squadron. While
serving on this ship he was. July %, 1866.
commissioned lieutenant commander Dur
ing the years 1851 he was detailed to
duty at the Naval Academy. In 1872 he
was assigned to special duty on the sec
ship Congress.
Commission as Commander.
August .. 1874. he received his commits
sion as commander. and was assigned to
The third-rate ship Alert. This command
ne held until 1876. when he was again
ietailed TO shore duty at the Naval Acad-
any. In 1879 he took command of the
'watara, OF the Asiatic Squadron.
The years from 1872 to 1875, inclusive.
le spent in scientific work at the Naval
II was In the fields of cx-
'cutive work and naval science that he |
probably did his best work He was ap-
pointed delegate to the International
Meridian and Time Conference in 1884.
In 1886 he had charge OF the tor
'edo station, aad was a member of the
'oard on Fortifications. Ordnance
matters and the science of tor ,
'edoes were subjects of special d.
tudy with him for years At the time OF /, ,
he inauguration of the war college at
'cwport. he delivered lectures on these
ubiccts>
Naval Academy Superintendent. I
From 1856 to 1890 he was superintend- J
Mt OF the Naval Academy. While at this /,
ost he was. In 1889. chosen to represent f
he United States at the International h
iaritime Conference held in this city r
While inspector of ordnance he helped
D install the present wonderful gun fac :
Dry at the Navy Yard. In company with :
lieut.. Joseph Strauss he devised and per-
,cted the superposed turret The hand
ng of big guns was 20 him the most en-
,yable of work. In March, 1889, he was
romotcd to the rank OF captain.
From 1892 n 1907 in Sarun-on |
hief of the Bureau Of Ordnance. In tho
alter year he was ordered to the COM
land of the battleship Iowa.
In Command of Squadron.
After the destruction of the Maine in
avana Harbor he was appointed presi-
ent of the board Of enquiry which was
AIMED to examine into the causes and
lace the blame for the affair."
When the Spanish war was at hand, on
arch a. 1898, Sampson was appointed
in chief OF the North Allan
C squadron.
Specially Fitted for the Place.
As Secretary Long said. he was select
because the department, In the exer-
Sc of its best Judgment, with an eye
nglc to the public interest. believed that
, was specially fitted for the place Ad-
iral Sicard. who held the command,
wing become incapacitated for duty by
ason OF sickness. was necessarily with
avn by order OF the department, and
Impson was next in command
The historic battle OF Santiago was
ught, and brilliant victory achieved
r the American people. Scarcely had