The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-12-11
GHERARDI WILL REST
IN CITY Of ANNAPO Oils
Retired Officer Expires in
StratfOrd, Conn.
LONG CAREER OF SERVICE
Was Nephew of George Bancroft and
by Him Given Appointment to
Naval Academy.

BRIDGEPORT, Conn, Dec. u.-Rear
Admiral Bancroft Gherardi. Z. s. N,
retired. who died yesterday at STRAIT
ford. Conn. will be buried in Annapolis
on Monday, December Il An announce
mcnt OF the funeral has been made by
the Navy Department
Admiral Gherardi died of nephritis at
his home In Stratford. He had been
near death for thirty-six hours. The
end came without struggle. His two
sons were at his bedside.
With only two years lacking to com
plete an even half century Of active
service in the navy. Rear Admiral Ban
croft Gherardi was put on the retired
list. having reached the age limit in
November, 1891. He was at that time
in command OF the Brooklyn navy yard
his last conspicuous appearance in pub
lie service having been when he had
command of the combined fleets at the
great naval review in 1898.
Admiral Gherardi was born ia Jack
son, La, November 10. 1892. but he was
appointed to the Annapolis naval
academy from Massachusetts. 1t was
through the influence of his uncle,
George Bancroft, the historian. that he
received the appointment. which came
60 him on the 18th of June, 1876. Mr.
Bancroft was then. under President
Polk, Secretary of the Navy. and IL
was he who designed and established
the Naval Academy at Annapolis on the
lines of the military school at West
Point
Served on the Ohio.
AS a midshipman. Admiral Gherardis
first service was on the Ohio in the
Mexican war, his cruise on this vessel
lasting nearly four years. After that
he served on the Saranac of the home
squadron. He cruised later in the
Mediterranean. and in 1855 was made
master and lieutenant. He was navi-
eating officer of the Niagara at the
laying of the first Atlantic cable in 1858
In July, 1862. young Gherardi became
lieutenant commander. and while at
tached to the South Atlantic blockading
squadron was first engaged in active
war at Fort Macon. Later he Joined
the Mohican on special service. His
first command was the Chocura, of the
West Gulf blockading squadron, and on
the Port Royal he took an active and
conspicuous part in the battle Of Mobile
BAY. In this action. by order of Cap
tain Jenkins. to whose vessel. the Rich
n.ond. the Port Royal was dashed
Gherardi cast OF and went in chase OF
the rebel gunboats Morgan. Gaines. and
Selma. drawing their fire from the
United States fleet and materially as
sisting in the victory.
= Aboard the Pequot-
Lieutenant Commander Gherardi cum
manded the Pequot on the North At
lantic until the close Of the war OF the
rebellion. and. becoming commander in
July. 1866. was stationed at the Phila-
delphia navy yard, where he remained
until 1870
In August. 1887. he was promoted TO
rear admiral ans ordered to the COM
mand OF the New York navy yard. In
1889 he became commander-in-chief of
j. the North Atlantic squadron, and. after
a three years cruise. was selected TO
lead, on special service, n squadron
composed of the Baltimore. San Fran
cisco, Charleston. Boston and Yorktown.
then comprising the flower Of the
United States navy Admiral Gherardi
was at Barbados when the trouble with
Chile occurred. and distinguished him
self by the celebrity with which he as
sembled our naval forces in readiness
for the threatened war.