The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-03-04
HIS P0MPOSITY HAD
TO GET OUT.
Retirement CroWninshieId
Asks will be His.
Thought II De'OgatOry 10 His Dignity to Step
Down From the Illinois TO the
Chicago.
(By the Associated Press.)

Washington, March 3.-Two interest
ing and significant communications We're
received today at the Navy Department
from the European station. One was
from Rear Admiral Aren't Schuyler
Crowninshield, commanding the European
squadron, asking to be placed on the
retired list of the navy under the pro-
visions of the personnel law. The other
was from Lieutenant Henry II. Ward
naval secretary to Admiral Crownin-
shield, resigning his commission in the
navy.
Prompt action was taken by Secretary
Moody in regard to the case of Rear
Admiral Crowninshicld, and it was deeid-
ed 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 Admiral 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 European squadron
is composed of the cruiser Chicago, flag
ship; the protected cruisers Albany and
Cincinnati, the cruiser Raleigh and the
gum boat Machias
The Navy Department contented itself
at first with the brief statement of the
Admirals application for retirement
without explanation of the reason there
for 1t is known, however, that the
officer was dissatisfied with the re-
arrangement of the armored squadrons
following the Caribbean manoeuyres
last winter which deprived him of the
further use of the Illinois as a flagship.
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 Ad-
miral Dewey is head, had decided upon
the creation Of a magnificent squadron
of iron-clads of the first type to con-
stitute the home squadron" guarding
the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, as the
famous British channel squadron forms
first wall of defense in that country.
1t was necessary, in the judgment of
the board. in order to make this feet
of the necessary strength to serve the
purpose in view, to include the Illinois.
Moreover, such battleships are neither
needed nor economical as cruisers and
the Illinois was doing that sort Of duty
in Europe. So. carrying out its general
policy and without regard to personal
feelings, the Navy Department assigned
Admiral Crowninshield to command the
Chicago and kept the Illinois on the
North Atlantic station. Admiral Crown
inshield did not care to go back to the
Mediterranean ard to the ports Of
Northern Europe where his flag had
1oated over the battleship in an inferior
craft, so he protested That protest was
made during the manoeuvres and it was
given due consideration. but the original
plan held.
Admiral Crowninshield retlres under
that section of the personnel act which
permits him to do SO at an advanced
grade in consideration Of at least forty
years creditable service. He is now 20
on the list of Rear Admirals. and thus
in the junior grade, so that his retire.
ment will place him in the first grade
where his retired paw will be $5.625 per
annum, or 1,5O0 more than he would
receive were he retired in his present
grade.
1t was stated at the Navy Department
later IN the day that Secretary Moody
had oabled an acceptance of Admiral
Crowninshiold's request to retire and
expressing regret at the loss which the
navy would sustain. 1t is expected that
the Admiral will haul down his flag
about March 20. He viii not return to
the United States on a naval vessel,
probably spending some time in Europe
before coming home. Admiral Cotton
was instructed to go to the squadron
at the earliest moment and he replied
today that he could close up his bust
ness at the Norfolk Navy Yard and be
ready to start in about three weeks