Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1902-05-14
REAR ADMIRAL SAMPSON.
A Long and Honorable Career in the
United States Navy.


Sampson, who closed a career of 45
years of active service in the navy
Feb. Q, which was his birthday.
William t. Sampson was born at
Palmyra, Wayne county, New York,
Feb. 8, 1910. The Sampson stock or
both sides came from the Scotch
Presbyterian branch of the English
race that settled in the north of Ire
land. James Sampson and Hannah
Walker, parents of the rear admiral.
emigrated from Ireland about the
same time, but did not meet until af-
ter settling in the United States.
Simpsons early life was hard.
determined round of study and toll.
He had to fight inch by inch for every
advantage gained. Through the in
nuence of Colonel Fred Clemons,
Sampson was appointed to the naval
academy at Annapolis by Congress
man Morgan Sept. "a. 1857.
Upon graduation in 1860 he was
placed aboard the frigate Potomac.
He passed through the civil war, per-
forming many notable deeds. In 1861
he was promoted from ensign to mas
ter and July 16, 1862, received his
commission as lieutenant and was
transferred to the practice ship John
Adams, which he commanded for a
wear.
In the following year he was an
instructor in the Annapolis academy,
after which he was again given ac-
tive sea duty, being placed on the
ironclad Patapsco of the South At
lantic blockading squadron.
While hunting for torpedoes in the
Charleston harbor, Jan. Is. 1865, the
Patapsco was destroyed and Sampson
was blown from the deck into the
sea. He was not seriously injured.
At the conclusion of the war Samp.
son was transferred to the steam
frigate Colorado, flagship of the Eu-
ropean squadron. on which he sery-
ed for two years. During his service
en- the flagship he received another
promotion, being commissioned lieu
tenant commander July 25, 1866.
After leaving the Colorado he was
again detailed to shore duty, going as
instructor to Annapolis until 1871. In
1872 he was detailed on special SER
vice aboard the second rater Con-
gress which ship was the following
year attached to the European squad
ron.
Aug. Q. 1874. Sampson was commits
stoned commander and was given
command of the Alert (third rate).
For the third time he was then sent
to Annapolis as instructor, remaining
there from 1876 to 1873. In 1879 he
was attached to the Asiatic squadron,
commanding the Swatara, where he
remained until 1882.
At the end of that time he was put
on shore duty at the naval observa-
tory, spending three years in that
work. In 1884 he was appointed a
member of the international prime
merriam and time conference.
At the conclusion of his service
with the naval observatory, Sampson
was placed in charge of the torpedo
station. The following year he was
appointed a member of the board Of
fortifications and other defenses,
which position he occupied one year.
In 1886 he was sent to Annapolis
for the fourth time. but this time as
superintendent. He remained In
charge of the cadets for four years.
During his service at Annapolis as su-
perirftendent, he was delegate to the
international maritime conference at
Washington in 1889. His commission
as captain was issued in March. 1889.
At the beginning of the Spanish
war, Sampson, whose rank was that
of captain, was promoted to commo-
dore and he was placed in charge OF
the blockading feet on the Cuban
coast. Schley was senior and the
promotion of Sampson over Schley
was largely responsible for the un-
fortunate controversy between the
two naval officers which a special
court attempted to settle and which
was finally reviewed by President
Roosevelt.
Admiral Sampson was married
twice. His first wife was Miss Mar
garet Aldrich niece of Pliny T. Sex
ton OF Palmyra. They were married
In 1862, and five daughters were born
to them. Four are now living. two
of whom married naval officers.
After several years Admiral Samp-
son met Miss Elizabeth Burling of
Canandaigua, N. Y, and they were
married. The present Mrs. Sampson
is the mother of the admiral's two
sons. Ralph and Harold.