The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-05-07
DIED As he HAD LIVED,
A TRUE SOLDIER.
(continued from page Eight)

was believed that Admiral Sampson
might regain sufficient strength to per-
NIT his removal to a resort in New
Jersey where he would escape the intense
heat OF the Washington summer, and
arrangements for taking him away had
practically been completed when the "A
nal attack came.
Rear Admiral William Thomas Samp-
son was born in Palmyra. n. Y. Feb 3.
ls40 and his death deprivos tht govern
ment Of several years of his valuable
services. The father OF this distinguished
naval officer was a farmer In moderate
circumstances. One William II. South
wick OF Palmyra, with influence. noticed
the ambition and self-reliance OF the boy.
and when ne was IL Induced Congress
man Il. B. Morgan. long deceased, TO APP
point him TO Annapolis. Four years later.
less than a year before the beginning OF
the Civil War. he graduated at the head
OF his class.
The opening OF hostiltles found him
on the frigate Potomac, with the RANK
OF master. Captain Sampson was toe
young man 10 get command during
the war, but he conducted himself in
manner that won him promotion TO Il
lieutenancy In July, 1862. and while hold
ing that commission he served on the
practice ship John Adams at the Naval
Academy, on the ironciad Patapsco OF
the South Atlantic blockaiing squadron.
His experience while on the Patapsco
was a true baptism OF fire.
The ironciad was of the Charleston
blockading feet, and on Jan. Is and l6,
1865. Lieutenant Sampson was executive
officer of the ship. The rebels knew
that sooner or later the boats CT the
Union fleet which were doing blockade
duty would seek 10 enter the harbor and
compel the surrender of the city or re
duce II. and for days they spent all thei
L.. -. .Gs.aa
does preparatory 10 giving the Union boati
reception that they should not forget,
On the morning OF the 10th the adTnirais
feet decided that the time was ripe 20
get into the harbor OF course he sus-
pected that the place was full Of mines
ard torpedoes. and he had TO get rid oil
them In some way.
He selected the Patapsco TO do the
work She was ordered 10 enter the har-
Dor searching for the hidden enemies,
and TO pick them up or destroy them
when she found them. AS executive Of
ficer Lieutenant Sampson had 10 stand
in the most exposed petition on the ship,
the bridge. ard he was there when the
boat steamed In. She was hardly I'm the
harbor when she was in range of the
rife bullets OF the rebel sharpshooters,
ard they opened fire on her.
IL WIS q withering fire. and the men
on the Patapsco fell before IL. Standing
exposei, the target for a thousand rifles
and with men dropping around one eY-
cry moment is a nerve test a good many
men would not stand. The fire got hot
ter and fStter Sampson ordered the
sailormen and marines on deck 10 go be-
low. where they could escape IL, and hC
held his place lone target for the bull
let's that few about him like hail II, an
autumn storm. Suddenly the firing
ceased without any apparent reason
sl.a ~ Ia hrr.
holding their rifles. but not firing. a
moment or two elapsed
EVER BRAVE AND a HERO.
The little ironclad moved slowly
through the water on her mission. The
sudden stopping OF the fire perhaps, gave
the men on the boat a warning that
worse was In store for them. but II was
too late retreat II such a thought en-
tered the mind OF any man. Foot by foot
the boat moved on. There was an almost
dead silence, then mighty roar. and the
boat shot up In the air surrounded by
great spouts OF water. She fell IN piecec
Sheets OF flame shot out from her hul
there was another and another explo-
sion then within her. and she sank slow
ly in the water. Lieutenant Sampson
had been blown hundred feet in the air
and fell In the water yards away fron
the disappearing hull OF his boat Twen-
the others, more than 70 I'm mum
met their death as the Maine II
their death I'm Havana harbor /
inside the ship, there was no escape iUf
them. Lieutenant Sampson was rescued
with the others who were not killed by
the explosion.
WAS IN COMMAND AT NEWPORT.
AS the war closed the lieutenant was
ho ha
pcan station. July %. 1868, he was made
a lieutenant commander. IN 1865 he was
assigned as an instructor at the Naval
Academy. remaining there until 1871.
Then he was on special service with
ships of the European fleet He became
commander in 1874, and In that year re-
ceived his first ship, the Alert, which
he commanded for two years. In 1876 he
was back a the Naval Academy. remain
ing until 1878. and In 1879 he was sent to
Asia as commander OF the Swatara, where
he was for three years. He was at the
Naval Observatory from 1892 TO 1855. dur
ing which he was a delegate to the Inter
national Prime Meridian and Time con-
ference. and in the aforementioned year
was sent TO Newport. where he assumed
command OF the torpedo station. Secre-
tary Whitney made him also a member
OF the board OF fortlfcations, and In lS.C
appointed HIM superintendent of the NJ
val Academy.
In 1859 he was made captain, and soor
afterward he became conspicuous as Al
ordinance expert lie had given much
attention 10 the whole subject OF naval
equipment and the construction OF new
and larger warships called out his tall
ents. From 1893 20 1897 he was chief OF
the bureau OF ordinance In 1897 he was
appointed 10 command the finest and
largest ship until then offered TO the nm
bition OF an American naval ofrlccr. III
Iowa. From this he was detached I,
serve as president of the Maine board o.
inquiry.
SERVES IN SPANISH WAR.
When hostilities broke out between tn,
United States and Spain he was bacl
in command OF the Iowa, on the Ath
OF March he was appointed to succeed
Rear Admiral Sicard as command6r-ln-
chief OF the North Atlantic squadron, re-
ceiving the rank of rear admiral. In this
capacity he directed ,he blockade of CUBA
commanded the fleet which bombardcd
San Juan, Porto Rico, and blockaded
Rear Admiral Cerveras fec in the harbof
of Santiago. When tho Spanish ships pun
out OF the harbor he was some miles on
with his flagship but he returned TO the
scene I'm tlmc TO participate I'm the latter
part OF the engagement. out OF this vic
tory for tho American navy 3prang a dis
pute between Rear Admiral S.hley. sec.