The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-03-04
Rear Admiral Retiras From Active
Service in. the Navy Because
of Pique.
LOST HIS FINE FLAGSHIP.
Illinois Was Transferred to An
other Station and He Wouldn't
Visit European Ports
With the Chicago.

Washington, March 3.-Two interesting
and significant communications were re-
ceivcd to-day at the Navy Department from
the European station. One was from Ad-
miral Aren't Schuyler Crownnshield. com
manding the European Squadron. asking to
be placed on the retired list of the navy
under the provisions of the personnel law.
Tie other was frcm Lieutenant Henry H.
Ward, naval secretary to Admiral Crownin-
shield, resignng his commission in the
navy.
prompt action was taken by Secretary
Moody in regard to the case of Rear Ad-
miral Crowninshield. and it was decided 10
relieve him from active duty at once in
order that he might come home or visit
european capitals, whichever should be his
desire. Acceptance OF his application for
retirement was cabled later in the day
rear Admiral CHARTS S Cotton. COM
mdndant of the Navy Yard at Norfolk Va,
pean Squadron and will relnQuish his pres
ent duty at once and start for Europe as
soon as he can arrange his official and
private affairs.
The Navy Department contented itself at
hrst with the brief statement of the Adj
miraTs application for retirement without
explanation of the reason thereof Il is
known however. that the officer was DIS
satished with the arrangement OF the
armored squadrons following the Carlbba an
maneuvers last winter. which deprived him
ship.
HIS PRIDE WAS HURT.
Inc circumstances under which he came
70 be deprived of this ship one of the
latest and most formidable in this or any
S Sther navy. We're entirely impersonal, The
is head, had decided upon the creation OF
a magnificent squadron of ironclads OF the
first typo to constitute the home squad
RON guarding the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts.
as the famous British channel squadron''
forms wall OF defense in that country.
the b was neees oSdcyr in the judgment Of
the necessary strength to serve the purpose
IN view. to include the Illinois. Moreover.
such battleships are neither effective nor
economical as cruisers and the Illinois was
doing that sort of duty In Europe
SO. carrying out its general policy and
Navy Department assigned Admiral Crown
inshield 10 command the Chicago and kept
the Illinois on the North Atlantic station
and a fine vessel of ten years ago, Is moth
ing like as imposing from a naval point
of view as the Illinois. and Admiral Crown
Mediterranean and to the ports Of Northern
Europe where his flag had fioated over the
oattieship in an inferior craft: 90 he pro-
maneuvers and IL was given due considera-
ton, but the original plan held.
Admiral Crowninshield is now No. % on
the list of Rear Admirals and his retire.
meht Will place him in the first grade. where
his retired pay will be s5.62e per annum.
:, Admiral Crowninshields retirement in
the ordinary course will promote Captains
Cook and harrington to be Rear Admirals.
Captain Cook, however. is in a deplorable
state Of health and is now. at Nauheim.
Germany. where II is hoped that the waters
will benefit him. If they do not. It is feared
necessary to promotion. The law does not
allow OF much depay In these examinations,
so il is probable. following a precedent es-
tablished some time ago he Will be pro-
NOTED on his record. subject to the results
of physical examination to be held later
mn