The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-02-09
side, working thus throughout his entire


IN hls sohoolboy life. Sampson displayed
the same characteristics by which he was
afterward distinguished. The chief OF
later life. he had Nc time to be popular.
although he was esteemed. Indeed, IL
might well be that his character would
have been better rounded had he gwen
more attention TO the social animal. Neither
at school nor at the Naval Academy did he
devote himself at all 10 the ~recreations OF
his fellows. The Palmyrans say that he
was never soen taking part In the sports OF
the village boys. II he was not at school, he
was helping his father at work, or porting
over his books. Al the Academy he applied
himself almost exclusively TO his routine
duties and his studies. IL is saying q good
deal for him that under these conditions no
was still liked and respected by his fellows,
although perhaps more respected than
liked, except by those few who knew him
well, He was adjutant OF the cadet
battalion in his senior year. the highest
honor to which a cadet sspires. 1t is
the testimony Of his classmates that
In 10 sense was he regarded az that
horror OF school life, a "prig.' a character
so easily developed by q boy who does not
mingle in the others pastimes. It seemed
natural 10 see Sampson work while tho rest
played, and his invariable courtesy and
considerateness kept him on good terms
with everybody. although II did not win him
intimates.
AT THE ACADEMY.
1t was undoubtedly this habit of self
concentration, self-dependence. poise, that
gave TO Sampson among those who did not
know him the reputati. N Of "aloofness. y
IL was not deserved. As a matter Of fact
he was shy from his boyhood. and this.
added TO his habit OF self -contain, a reticence
born and developed OF circumstance, and
a trained repression Of impulsiveness,
made him seem cold There are hundreds,
however. who can testify to the warm
heart that beat within, the generosity
even toward those whom he had every
right to consider unfriendly
There are three men still or the active
list Of the United States Navy who were
In Sampson's class at the Academy. Rear
Admirals Bartlett j. Cromwell. Henry
F. Picking and Frederick Rodgers. Dewey
and Schley were at The Academy during
part OF SIMPSONS term, Dewey three
classes ahead and Schley a year
ahead. The late Rear-Admiral John W.
Philip was in Sampson's class. 81. In
an appreciative character sketch Of Samp-
son by Ray Stannard Baker In McCIure's
Admiral Philip is quoted As saying that no
matter what the subject Of study was.
mathematics, French. moral science or
seamanship, sampson, with invariable
regularity, bad the perfect marking in
his class standing. Il remember WELL
said Admiral Philip. the struggle of the
three S's-Sampson. Stewart, and Smell.
They fought for first place throughout the
course, but Sampson came in ahead. He
was graduated number one From the
same source an interesting glimpse Of
SIMPSONS personality n little after he had
been graduated from the Academy. and
while he was acting IA instructor there,
is afforded by the quotation from Capt.
French f. Chadwick:
The first time / saw Sampson, . he writes.
Il was going down Pelham street, was
then a midshipmsn-and ! met a new officer
coming up on the other side. | knew him
to he Lieut.. Sampson, just arrived. lie
was at that time of the mature age OF p;
sufficiently old from my point Of view, and
naturally OF interest as a new instructor.
But what most impressed me, and what
hos always remained in mind, was his
extraordinary beauty of face and color.
which have always thought was the finest
| ever saw in a young man. Later on, |
came to recognize another quality OF like
enviable kind; a remarkably clear. musical
and %resonant voice. low in talking. but one
that could be heard with ease anywhere
on a ship-a gift the value Of which in these
days of canvas can hardly now be APP
preciated. Along with this unusual per-
sonal beauty II use the word ad~visedly, and
| mention IL only because il was so marked),
there was a great absence Of self-conscious-
ness. / am sure Sampson never gave a
thought 10 his personal appearance beyond
what ordinary personal care demanded.
Posing Is as far from him as il was from
Abraham Lincoln: he has always been the
simplest Of men; OF a simplicity which is the
highest type Of manners
HIS INFLUENCE UPON II AVA ACADEMY.
Not the least among SIMPSONS great
services toward the upbuilding of the Amer
lean navy was his work in connection with
the chool that trains the men who officer
fleets. The best ships. the most power
81 - - - a,.0 A.
mind 10 direct them. In improving
the morale of the Service, in moulding the
of thought and conduct Of he young
sters aspiring 10 tread the quarterback,
in helping them toward an intelligent COM
prehension of their duties and ia eQuipping
them mentally and physically for a proper
performance of these duties. the influence
of Sampson was greater. perhaps, than that
Of any one other nan For over a quarter
Of a century there were few graduates Of
the Naval Academy who did not come
directly under Sampson's influenca and
profit by his teaching and example. The
thus welded was all the more inn
because IL came in the critical
period Of transition of our sea power from
sail To- steam. A., OF course, many officers
who did not meet Sampson al the Naval
Academy came into contact with him on
his son DUTY, his relations with the per
of the Navy we're much more intimate
l. ordinary.
Sampson's connection with the Naval
subsequent 10 his graduation
dated from 1862, when he was appointed an
and did duty on the old sailing
John Adams, then used a. a practise
vessel for cadets. He had been appointed
n master, following his graduation in 1851,
and gained his commission as Lieutenant
he following wear. An officer who was
with him then a. a cadet j. thus quoted:
He was never excited and mover hurried,
and he never seemed 10 raise his voice, and
vet his orders could be heard distinctly
the men at the weather-earing
reefng topsails." IT. 1857. after
sea duty that included conspicuous war
service, Sampson was appointed assls-
tant 10 Prof. Lockwood Mt the
Academy. and in 1899 succeeded him
FOR a time "a read Of the de-
Of physics. In 1874 Sampson
came back to the Academy. and for the
succeeding four years was again head Of
physics department.
From 1885 to 100. sampson. as Super
intendent. had entire control OF the work
OF the Academy. and the head of the Navy
DEPARTMENT of President Cleveland's Adj |
ministration had nothing but words Of
praise for his conduct of affairs. This
completed his fourth tour of duty AT the
Academy, thirteen years IN all, There
...... Is, yla.s,a Fr.ss, M IN 'ln Hatt Vult,I