The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-10-17
REAR ,DMIRaL SELFRIDGE DEAD.
The Eldest of Three Ofcers Of the same
Name on the Naval List.

WAsHINaToN, Oct. 10 Rear Admiral
Thomas Oliver Selfridge, ST.. who died in
Waveriy. Mass. yesterday, was one OF
three officers Of that name who have served
in the United States Navy, his son and
grandson being on the naval list for many
years at the same time as himself. He
was born in Boston. and the date OF his
birth is said to be April 20, 1904, This
date is given in one Of his biographies.
but nearly all the sketches OF his life which
have been written have omitted the date
Of hi- birth. and it is well known TO the
friends of the late naval officer that he was
extremely sensitive on the subject Of his
age. He never liked to be referred to as an
old man. and yet he was nearly 100 years
old he entered the navy a. a midshipman
on Jan. L. 1915; was promoted TO lieutenant
in 1927 and served in the West Indies, Brazil
and tire Mediterranean. He was on the
Columbus. aagshipof the East India squad
dron ia Isi5-46 and later of the Pacific
squadron during the Mexican War.
In isi7. While on the sloop Dale, he took
part in the capture of Mazatlin and Quay
mas He was severely wounded at that
time. He served at the Boston navy yard
from lsis to 1881 and had command OF the
ron for several months. His wound made
him unfit for sea service, however, and he
was coinmandant of the navy yard AT
Mare Island from 1862 10 1855. Meanwh ile
he had been promoted tn the grade OF
Captain in 1855 and TO that of Commodore
in 1852 He was promoted to the grade
Of Rear Admiral on July IS, 1898. He served
in several capacitic, in the line OF active
duty subsequent To his retirement Tor age,
in 1865.
4 S,lf ,.I
was reported officially TO the Navy Depart
mont To-day 10y his son, Rear Admiral
Thomas o. Selfridge, Jr.. retired. The son
called personally AZ the Navy Department
and said that his father had expressed a
desire that there should be no pomp or
ceremony and no music at his funeral.
which will take place tomorrow at noon.
The interment will be in the Fores, Hill
Cemetery, near Boston In view of the
wish Of the deceased the Navy Department
will not furnish full military escort. but
Rear Admiral Johnson. Commandant OF
the Boston navy yard. and the members OF
hi. staff have been directed to attend the
funeral. and eight bluejackets will toe the
body-bearerS. While the funeral Is IN
progress salute of thirteen minute guns
will be fired at the Boston navy yard
The death Of the senior Rear AdImra,
Selfrtdge ends an anomaly in the personnel
Of the naval service that has never had a
counterpart This was the existence on
the naval list Of father and n son. both
| of the same full name, both retired Tor age
| and both Of the highest attainable rank
Thomas o; Selfrdge. Sr, was retired a.
| a Commodore in April. 1896, under the
| forty-fve years service law. but was o.
| years old. the compulsory retirement age
| on the day he was transferred To the inactive
| list In July of that year his rank on the
| retired list was raised 10 that of Rear Adj
| niral Thomas O. Selfridge, Jr.. was re-
! tired on Feb o. 1898, his sixty-second birth
| day, also win me rank Of Rear Admiral
! The elder Admiral Selfridge was AT the
| time of his death the oldest officer OF the
navy. being in his ninety-ninth year
| Admiral Selfridge, Sr. resided In Washing
| ton with his son and nam"sake, the othet
| Admiral Selfridge. until recently, when he
| was taken to an asylum for the infrm al
| Wavcrly, Mass. He has another son
! James X. Selfrdge. who il Commander
| in the navy; grandson, Thomas o. So I
| ridge who l. n Lieutenant in active service"
! and another grandson. Duncan |. Sehridge
who is lndshipman At tho Naval Academy
| Acting Secretary Of the Navy Darling
| to-day issued a special order IN regard 10
! the death II Admiral Selfridge, which
/ concludes az follows:
As a mar; OF respect to his memory,
! flags OF the navy yards and stations ano
vessels in commission will bc displayed al
! half mast from sunrise to sunset, ano
! thirteen minute guns will be fired at noon
/ from the navy yards and static on the
| day after the receipt Of this order.