The Washington times., 1904-03-12
AMERICAN Aid POTENT
TOWARD JAPAW.S NAVY

Probably no officer of the American
Navy has followed the development OF
tina; of Japan with greater interest than
Lieut. Henry r Rhoades. now on duty
at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, for he WAS
officially identified with the beginning
OF the navy OF Japan as far back as
1868 When asked recently if he was not
one of the American Navy officers who
received appointments in 1865 10 aid in
tie organization of the japanese navy.
ne replied:
- believe that the credit for the Jap
anese navy may be placed to the Ameri-
c3n Navy officers. 1t really began win
the purchase of the armOrclad Stone
wall Jackson Nater named the Adzuma}
from the United States Government. In
ISfe. although the construction Of the
naval dockyard at Yokoska was com
ucnced n 1866. under the supervision OF
a French engineer. This was not com
Dleted till 1879 It cost nearly S2-5O0VJ1
The Stonewall jackson was built in
| france under a contract with the Da-
uish government. and was to be known
as the Sphynx. but as this was about
tb, time of the closing OF the SchleswlS-
IJoIstein war, and there was delay in the
completion of the vessel. Denmark be-
Inc lul,ewarm in carrying out the
terms Of the purchase. and the boat
y.assed into the possession of the Con-
/ iederates.
! .She put 10 sea soon afterward, but
owing to some arrangement of the
I steering machinery she ran into Ferrol,
/ spain. for repairs. in February. 1865.
where were lying the American war yes
/ sells Niagara and Sacramento. The COM
] rnander of the American vessels allowed
{ "a WeffL
/ TO Lisbon. and thence across the At
lantic TO Havana. Here she lay until
after the close of the civil war, and was
then given up by Spain TO the United
States Later the Stonewall was sold 70
I Iapan. and she was sent over there By
the United States. under command OF
/ Can't. (now Rear AdmiraD George
Brown. and delivered at Yokohama IN
the latter part of the spring OF 1858
al this time I was an officer III the
Asiatic Squadron. and my ship had been
for months at Hiogo and Osaka, where
had been the greatest activity in con-
nection with the revolution resulting
fro-, the overthrow Of the Tycoonate. in
vybfcb and several other officers IN
cou,uard of armed squads Of sailors.
.o,l, oort in defending the American
legation and other American interests
AT Hiogo following the assault Dy
Prince. or Daimio. 8ozen's forces upon
an assembly OF foreign sailors. who were
orfeflv observing him and his rcttaue
pass through the town.
Another of our officers was II Wal
TON Grinneu. a lieutenant ia the volun-
teer navy. and nephew, : believe. OF
Moses Grinnell. In March, lSeS. Grinncl
was commissioned an ensign Ia the reg
l,,lar service. but his commission did not
reach him till late in May. He then de-
clined TO accept it, and asked for an hon
orabIc discharge, that be might accept
an offer of the Japanese government OF
n commission as admiral al a salary OF
Ia. 900 itzabocs (about $4,000 United States
money! a year. His request was grant
ed. and he accepted the appointment OF
Japan and remained for about three
years
AT the Same time tie American con
sui at Hiogo, a German whose nam,
has passed from me, was appointe,
| chief constructor, and to me was Of