The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-03-04
CROWNINSHIELD GOES
ON THE RETIRED LIST
Did Not Like the Exchange of His
Flagships.

WASHINGTON, D. c., March g.
Two interesting and significant COM
munications were received today at the
navy department from the European
station. One was from Rear Admiraf
A. S. Crowninshield, commanding the
European squadron, asking to be plac-
ed on the retired list of the navy under
the provisions of the personnel law.
The other was from Lieut.. Henry II.
Ward, naval secretary to Admiral
Crowninshield, resigning his commits
sion in the navy.
Prompt action was taken by Secre-
tary Moody in regard to the case of
Rear Admiral Crowninshield and it
was decided to relieve him from ac-
tive duty at once. His application for
retirement undoubtedly will be grant
ed.
Rear Admiral Charles T. Cotton,
COmmandant of the navy yard at Nor
folk, Va, was assigned to the command
of the European squadron and Will re-
linquish his present duty at once and
start for Euroep as soon as he can
arrange his official and private af-
fairs.
Admiral Crowninshield was dissat-
isfed with the Encouragement Of the
armored squadron following the Carri-
bean maneuvers last winter, which
deprived him of the further use Of
the Illinois as a flagship. The cir
cumstances under which he came to
be deprived of this ship, one of the
latest and most formidable in this or
any other navy, were entirely 1mper-
sonal. The general board, of which
Admiral Dewey is head, has decided
upon the creation of a magnificent
squadron or ironclads Of the first type
to constitute the home squadron"
guarding the Atlantic and Gulf coasts
as the famous British channels squad
ron" forms a wall of defense In this
country. 1t was necessary in the judg-
ment of the board to make this fleet
of the necessary strength to serve the
purpose In view to include the Hi
nois.
Admiral Crowninshield did not care
TO go back to the Mediterranean and 10
the ports of Northern Europe, where
his flag had floated over the battle
ship, in an inferior craft (the Chica-
go) so he protested. That protest
was made during the maneuVerS, but
the original plan held. Admiral Crown
inshieId is now No. 20 on the list of
rear admirals and thus in the junior
grade, so that his retirement will place
him in the first grade, where his retir-
ed pay will be $5,625 per annum, or
81, 800 more than he would receive were
he retired in his present grade.
Secretary Moody has cabled an ac-
ceptance of Admiral Crowninshield's
request to retire. Crowninshields retire.
ment, in the ordinary course, will pro-
mote Capts. Cook and Harrington to
be rear admirals. Capt. Cook, how
ever, is in deplorable state of health
and is now at Nauheim, Germany,
where it is hoped that the waters will
benefit him. If they do not it is feared
he cannot pass the physical examina-
ton necessary to promotion. The law
does not allow of much delay in these
examinations, so 1t is probable that,
following a precedent, he will be pro-
NOTED on his record, subject to the re-
suits of a physical examination to be
held later on.
Special TO The Globe.
WASHINGTON, March 3.-Admiral
CroWninshield's retirement is said to be
on account of pique, and that he was
crowded out by Schley's friends.