The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-05-07
W.T.. SAMPSON DEAD
PASSED AWAY AFTER MONTHS OF
ILLNESS.
WAS NOTED NAVAL OFFICER.
COMMANDED NORTH ATLANTIC
SQUADRON.

Had Been i'm Low state of Health
Practically Ever Since Conclusion
of Standardization War, I'm the
Events of Which He Was "A Prom
1nenf Figure-His Record as n
Naval Officer "A Highly CreditabIe
ome-Had Been in Semf-Conscious
Condition for Several Days Before
His Death.
Washington, May 6.-Rear Admiral
William T. Sampson, retired, died at
his home in this city at 5 o'clock this
afternoon. The immediate cause of
death was a severe cerebral hemor-
rhage. He had been in a semi-con-
scious state for several days. and this
forenoon suffered a severe cerebral
hemorrhage. At the bedside when the
Admiral breathed his last, were Mrs.
Sampson. Mrs. Lieut.. Cluverius, the
AdmiraPs married daughter; Admiral
SIMPSONS two young sons, Ralph and
Harold Sampson: DR.. Dixon and the
attending. physician and nurses and
attendants.
Mrs. Sampson had broken down un-
der the severe strain and was quite i'll
all during the day. But for critical
condition of the Admiral, she would
nave been confined to her bed.
William Thomas Sampson was born
IN Palmyra, N. Y, Feb 8, 1870 He
was graduated from the United States
Naval Academy in 1861 at the head of
ms class, and was attached to frisate
POTOMAC, with the rank of master. In
july, 1862, he was commissioned lieu
tenant, and in 1929 served in the
practice sloop John Adams. During 1864
he was stationed at the naval acade-
my, and later served on the Patapsco.
with the South Atlantic blockading
squadron. He was in that vessel when
she was destroyed in Charleston har-
Dor in 1865. He was blown into the
water, but was rescued by comrades.
He served in the flagship Colorado of
the European squadron in 1S65-67 and
was at the naval academy during 1863
Il. Meanwhile, he had been commits
stoned lieutenant commander in 1866
His next service was in the ship Con-
gress. on special duty, in 1872, and on
the European station in 1873. In 1875
he was placed in command of the
Alert, and was commissioned a com
mander in 1874. During 1868 he was
at the naval academy and in 1880 was
given command of the Swatara of the
Asiatic squadron. He was assistant
superintendent of the United States
naval observatory in Washington in
1928, and in September, 1886, was APP
pointed superintendent of the United
States naval academy
He was a member of the Information
NJ Conference at Washington in 1884,
for the IF f7yfncr a ~
dian and a universal day, and in 1885
was appointed a member of the board
to report upon the necessary FORTH
cations for coast defense. He served
as chief of the bureau of ordnance
of the Navy Department for several
years, during which time he, with
Lieut.. Strauss. devised and perfected
the suDerposed turrets which have
been adopted on the battleship Kear-
sarge and one or two other vessels.
In 1898 he was made president of the
board of inquiry as to the cause of
the destruction of the battleship Maine
in the harbor of Havana.
Upon the declaration of war with
Spain he was given command of the
North Atlantic squadron, with the
rank of acting rear admiral. He was
in-chief of the naval forces
at the time of the destruction of the
Spanish squadron off the port of San
tiago de Cuba He was promoted to
be a rear admiral in September, 1898.
and was member of the american
commission for the evacuation Of Cuba
in that year. Admiral Sampson dur
ing his career was connected with every
department of the navy, and bore the
reputation of being one of the most
thoroughly competent and painstaking
members of the service.
May BE Inferred at Annapolis.
The ARRANGEMENTS for the funeral Of
Admiral Sampson will not be COM
Dleted until tomorrow It has been
suggested to Mrs. Sampson that the
Naval Cemetery at Annapolis would be
proper last resting place for the re-
mains. while other friends have rep
resented to her that he should be
buried in Arlington Cemetery, near this
city.
Mrs. Sampson suffered a slight acct
dent four days ago while attending to
the wants of the Admiral and has been
in bed since. She probably will not be
able to attend the funeral services
A number of messages of coincidence
have been received at the house. among
them one from Secretary Moody.