Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-03-04
PROMPT ACTION TAKEN
Rear Admiral Crowninshield
Retired at Once.
LIEUT.. WARDS CASE
HIS RESIGNATION TO BE UN-
DoUBTEDLY ACCEPTED.
Promotions and Changes Of Plans Of
the Department Resulting From
the Retirement.

Unusually prompt action was taken in
the case Of Rear Admiral Aren't 8. Crown
fnshield, commanding the European squad
ron. The cablegram from that officer ask
ing to be placed on the retired list. with
advanced rank, under the provisions of the
personnel law, was received at the Navy
Department yesterday morning. Secretary
Moody conferred with President Roosevelt
in regard to the matter, and the result
was that the application was granted and
Rear Admiral Charles s. Cotton, COM
mandant of the navy yard, Norfolk. was
assigned to the command Of the European
squadron
In the afternoon Secretary Moody sent
cable message to Rear Admiral Crow Nm
shield at Messina. Sicily. notifying him
that his application to retire had been
granted, to take effect at once, and ex-
pressing his personal regret that the I'd
miral felt compelled to relinquish active
service. The immediate effect Of the Sec
retary'S action was to relieve Rear Admiral
Crowninshield from command Of the Euro.
pean squadron at once, and it is assumed
at the department that he has already
hauled down his flag from the cruiser Chi.
cago and gone ashore.
In Temporary Command.
Pending the arrival Of Rear Admiral Cot:
ton on the European station the command
of the squadron will devolve upon the
senior officer present, Capt James II. Day
ton, commanding the cruiser Chicago, VIII
acted in similar capacity just prior tc
Admiral Crowninshield's arrival on the sta
ton In April, 1902
Although there Is no definite information
on that point at the Navy Department, 1t
Is believed that 1t is Rear Admiral Crown
inshield's intention to spend some time
travelling In Europe with his family. He
will be promptly granted leave Of absenc.
for that purpose in case he applies for it.
Under the regulations governing the navy,
officers on the retired list cannot leave this
United States without the permission OF
the Navy Department. Having relinquisil-
ed active duty Rear Admiral Crowninshield
will return to the United States on mer-
chant steamer.
Lieut.. Wards Case.
1t was stated at the Navy Department
today that no action has yet been taken
on the resignation Of Lieutenant Henry
H. Ward, Admiral CrowninshielHs flag
lieutenant, but that 1t will undoubtedly be
accepted to take effect at once. Lieutenant
Ward is bright young officer and made
a good record during the Spanish war. He
visited Spain In disguise during the pro-
gress Of hostilities and, at considerable
risk to himself obtained Information re-
garddng the projected movements Of the
Spanish fleets which was Of great value
to the American navy. In recognition of
bers in his grade. He entered the navy
from New Jersey in September. 1889. and
reached his present grade In February,
1901. He has been closely associated with
years and was the latter's assistant in
the bureau Of navigation during the great
er part Of the Spanish war. The only rea-
son he gave for his resignation was de-
is an impression, however. that his action
was influenced by a strong feeling of
friendship for Admiral Crowninshield. as
we'll as a belief that the latter had been
improperly treated by the withdrawal of
the battle ship Illinois from his command
and the substitution OF the less-imposing
warship Chicago.
Rear Admiral Crowninshield was ap-
pointed to the navy from New York In
September, 1860 and reached the grade of
rear admiral in March, 1902 He has had
about nineteen years sea service about
twenty-one years shore duty and was I'M
employed about three years and five
months.
Rear Admiral Cotton.
Rear Admiral Cotton, the new command
er Of the European squadron. stands num-
Der in the list of rear admirals Of the
senior grade. He is a native of Wisconsin
and began his naval service In September,
1858 He has already had about eighteen
years sea service his last cruise having
terminated in September, 1893. He reached
the grade of rear admiral in March, 1900.
and has had command of the Norfolk navy
yard since July of that year. Admiral Cot
ton was instructed to assume command OF
the European squadron at his earliest con-
yenience and he has replied that he will
close his business at Norfolk as soon as
possible and expected to be ready to join
his squadron in about three weeks.
Resulting Promotions.
The retirement Of Admiral Crowninshield
has resulted in the probationary promotion
of Captain Francis A. Cook. recently on
duty In this city as member of the exam
lining and retiring boards. and of Captain
Purnell F. Harrington. captain Of the New
York navy yard. to the grade of rear adj
miral, and the promotion Of Commanders
George H. Kearny, Adolph Mark, Ray
mond P. Rodgers and William 8. Moore to
the grade Of captain as we'll as other pro-
motions farther down in the line. Captain
Charles D. Sigsbee. chief intelligence off,
Ger, Is now the ranking captain, and Com
mander r. R. Ingersou, commanding the
Helena, the senior commander Captain
Sigsbee will be promoted to be a rear ad-
miral on the next vacancy, probably in
July.
Rear Admiral Harrington was today or
dered to assume command of the navy yard
at Norfolk, vice Rear Admiral Cotton, re-
Eeved, and it IS expected he will do SO In a
short time. Admiral Harrington had been
originally selected to command the navy
yard at Bremerton, Wash, but the retire.
ment Of Admiral Crowninshield necessitated
change In the plans of the department.
No one has yet been selected for the Brem-
erton assignment.
Admiral Cooks Health.
Admiral Cook Is in a precarious state of
health at Nauheim. Germany, where 1t Is
hoped the waters will benefit him. II they
do not 1t is feared that he cannot pass the
physical examination necessary to promo
ton, and this doubt causes great concern
among his brother officers at the Navy
Department. for Captain Cook Is one of the
most popular men in the navy The law
does not allow Of much delay in these ex-