The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-03-04
CroWninshleld's Request to
Be Retired is Granted.
ADM'L COTTON COMMANDS
VIII Leave for European Station Within
Three Weeks ~ crowninshield's
Dignity Hurt BY Having to
Give Up the Illinois
(By Associated Press.)

1laaEMr(B by ASSOCIATED freeS, stIH
NAsHINGTON,1 March s-Two inter-
estng and significant. communications
were received to-day at the Navy De-
partment from the European station. One
was from Rear-Admiral Aren't Schuyler
Crowlnshield. commanding the European
Squadron, asking to be placed on the
retired list Of the navy under the pro-
visions Of the personnel law. a The other
was from Lieutenant Henry H. Ward.
naval secretary to Admiral Crownin-
Shield, reslgning his commission In tho
navy, ~
Prompt action was taken by Secretary
Moody In regard to the case of Rear
Admiral Crowinshield and 1t was de-
clded to relieve him from active duty at
once. In order that he might come home
or visit European capitals, (which ever
should be his desire, His application for
retirement undoubtedly will be granted.
Rear-Adhiral Charles S. Cotton. COM
mandant OF the navy-yard at Norfolk
Va, was assigned to the command OF the
squadron. and will relinquish his present
duty at once and start for, Europe as soon
as he can arrange his official and private
affairs. The Europen Squadron is COM
posed OF the cruiser Chicago. flagship; the
protected cruisers, Albany aid Cincinnati,
the cruiser Raleigh, and the gunboat
Mnchas. j5aa f5Sf
The Navy Department contented itself
at first with the brief statement of the
Admlral's application for retirement with
out explanation Of the reason thereof, II
is known, however, that the officer was
dissatisfied with the Encouragement Of the
armored squadrons following the CARR
hao 1oc ,trfN u,fjo la
prived him of the further hso Of tho
Illinois as a flagship
< ENTIRELY lNlPERSONAIA
The circumstances 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 imper-
sonal. The general board OF which Adj
miral Dewey is head. had decided upoa
the creation OF n magnificent gquadron OF
irop-clads OF the first type to constitute
the Home Squadron" guarding the At,
lantic and Gulf coasts as the famous
British Channel Squadron forms FIRST
wall Of defense in that country, It was
necessary In the Judgment OF the board,
in order to mako this fleet OF tho neces-
sary 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 euty In Europe,
SO carrying out Its general policy, and
without regard toJpersonal feelings, the
Navy Department assigned Admlral
Crowinshicld to command the Chicago
| and kept tho Illinois on tho North At
| latnic Station. Admiral Crowinshield did
not care to go back to the Meditterrean
and to the ports. OF Northern Europe
| where his flag had hoated over tho ba
tleahip In an inferior craft; so he pro.
tested. That protest was made during the
| maneouvres, and 1t was given due con-
sideration, but the original plan held.
Admiral Crowinshield retires under that
section Of the personnel acts, which per-
| mlts him to do so at an advanced grade
| In consideration Of at least forty years
credltablc service. He Is now No. 20. on
| the list. Of rear-admras. and thus In the
| junior grade. so that his retirement will
place him In tho first grade. where his
retired pay will be $685. per annum. o,
800 more than he would receive wers
he retired In his present grade.
IT was stated at the Navy Department
| later In the day that Secretary Moody
| had cahled an acceptance OF Admiral
| Crowinshield's request TO retire and ex.
pressing regret at tne loss. which the
navy would sustain. It is expected that
the Admiral will haul down his flag at,snt
March goth, He will not return to the
United States on a naval vessel, proba-
bly, spending some time In Europe before
coming home
Admiral Cotton was instructed To 20
to tho squadron al the earliest moment
and he replied to-day that he could close
md be ready to start in about threa
we lie !. /