The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-04-24
TAYLOR HONORED
AFTER 10 YEARS
President Presents Medal
for HerOism in Storm.
HELPED TO SAVE NlPSIC
Commanded by Admiral Kimberly-His
Reward Slow in Coming-In
Secret Service.

Fifteen years after he distinguished
himself by gallant action, Richard H.
Taylor, one of the Secret Service men
on duty at the White House. was re-
warded for his valor by President
Roosevelt yesterday afternoon.
In the presence of all the secretaries
and employees at the executive offices.
President Roosevelt presented Mr. Tay-
Tor with a handsome Navy Department
medal and complimented him upon the
brave service in the Samoan disaster of
March 16, 1889. which won the approval
of Mr.. Taylor's superior officers on the
United States man-of-war Nipsic.
Mr.. Taylor was serving quarter
master on the Nipsic at the time Of the
terrible Samoan storm which played
havoc with the shipping interests of
Samoa, wrecked war vessels. and re-
suited in the death Of 1874 officers and
seamen. The Trenton, Vandalia, and
Nipsic were the warships at Samoa
looking after the interests OF the Unit
ed States which were In danger as a
result Of the international Complications
involving the island. The Trenton and
Vandalia were lost in the storm, and
the Nipsic was saved only by the
heroism OF its crew.
Five Hours on Deck
From the time the storm broke at
o'clock In the morning until 8 o'clock
Mr.. Taylor remained on deck and d.
rected the steering of the vessel. He
was one of the three men on the Nipsic
who were recommended for medals by
Admiral Kimberly, commanding the
Asiatic fleet One of the other men who
distinguished himself was a Japanese.
In some way the medal for Mr.. Tay-
lor was overlooked and he was never
able TO get IL. Last year. when he was
in the West with the President. Mr..
Taylor met the Secretary Of the Navy.
and told him of the failure of the de-
partment TO confer the medal recon-
mended. The Secretary Of the Navy
looked up the records and found Mr..
Taylor was entitled to the decoration
and 500. which were given to the sa-
moan hero yesterday by the President.
His Naval Record.
Mr.. Taylor entered the naval service
in 1886. and after serving two years in
the naval school at Coasters HarbOr.
r. l.. graduated third from the head of
a class of over four hundred. for which
showing he was commended by the
Navy Department through general or
ders, and was also given his choice OF
any OF the ships of the navy on which
10 serve. He chose the Nipsic, which
was just about to start on a cruise,
around the world.
The cruise was begun. and the Nipsic
had reached Calloa, Peru, after a trip
start on another lap of her long journey,
when orders We're received TO proceed to
Apia, Samoan Islands, where a state OF
war existed among the natives, in when
American interests We're teopardized.
After standing guard for about three
months. the Nipsic was Joined by the
Trenton and the Vandalia, two of the
finest war vessels then in the United
States navy.
1t was on March 16 that the entire
squadron was wrecked by the historic
tornado which swept the islands. The
Trenton and Vandalia and the German
ships Eber and Adler were lost, while
the Nipsic was beached, but was finally
saved through the heroic efforts of heI
officers and men. But one other medal
has been issued for conduct in this try
ing time, and that was TO a japanese
steward, who, at the risk Of his life
saved the life OF one Of the officers OF
the Vandalia. who had been swept over
board
Promoted for Service.
AS a partial reward for his skill ir
keeping the ship head on to the wind
and so saving her from the fate which
fell TO her sisters, Mr.. Taylor was made
schOolmaster, and was assigned as conf
dental clerk 20 the commanding Of
ficer. which position he held until 1884, al
which time he resigned, the Nipsic go
ing out Of commission. and being as
signed as receiving ship at Mare Island
Cal
Mr. Taylor at the time was but eight
cen years old. yet had reached the grade
OF Quartermaster. and the fact that hC
was regarded as an expert in handling
a ship was evidenced by his selection
by his officers when such an emer
gency arose. He speaks modestly OF
his experiences however and IL is witt
difficulty that he can be induced TO tall
Of that fearful night on the bridge
when the white bodies OF his drowned
shipmates would wash up 10 the side
of his ship. and then float away again
when the Eber went down within few
yards of his own vessel. her bow sweep
ing the poop Of the Nipsic as she went
down He says he does not regard his
action as exceptional, as every man he
knew IN the service was willing and
anxious 20 do his duty in every emer-
gency.