New-York tribune., 1905-08-12

Rear Admiral Andrew EIlicott Kennedy Benham
United States Navy retired. was born in this
city April 10, 1892 He was appointed a mid
shiprnan in the navy November a. 1877 and served
on the Dolphin and the Plymouth in the East
Indian squadron until 1851 He was attached 10 the
saranac of the home squadron in 1852 and spent
the following year at the Naval Academy Pro-
NOTED TO passed mdshpman in 1853 he became
lieutenant in 1855 and cruised in the sloop St
Marys in the Pacific In 1855 he was attached to
the Coast Survey and TO the Paraguay expedition
IN 1893 When the Civil War broke out he was an
ofhcer of the Crusader but was ordered 10 the
blenViIe. of the South Atlantic squadron and took
part in the capture OF Port Royal s c. in No
NeIhoer lSol He became lieutenant commander
IN 1867 and shortly afterward took charge of the
gunboat Penobscot in the Western Gulf bIockading
squadron until the close of the war In 1876 he was
attached 10 the New-York Navy Yard and was
promoted 10 the rank of commander In 1867. He
was attached to the lighthouse service when made
captain in 1878 He then commanded the Rich
mona on the Asiatic station until 1881 followed by
two years at the Portsmouth Navy Yard until
1851 when he had another two years tour on
lighthouse inspection. He was promoted to be
commodore in October 1885. and after brief service
as president of the board establishing the Phia-
delphia Navy Yard he was commandant of the
Mare Island yard the three years ending in 1891
de had been promoted to admiral in February.
1880, and in June, 1892. was ordered TO assume
control Of the South Atlantic station. He trans
CISCO after the naval review IN 1s93 but took COM
mand of the North Atlantic station. He al
most Immediately ordered to Rio Janeiro for the
protection of American interests. and by his hrm
stand on his arrival there he eectuay stopped the
insurgents practice of interfering with neutral
merchant ships their way to their moorings.
1t was dramatic part he played that occa-
sion, when. under his orders, Brownson of the
revoutonists under Vice-Admiral Da Cana
against agt the authority Of President Piexotto Of
Brazli. being in control of the Brazilian navy, es-
tabllshed a blockade at Rio against foreign mer-
i ehantRen. The situation was so serious that war
shlps from all European countries were present
protesting against the blockade but nevertheless
This state of affairs continued until the arrival
OF Admiral Benham on the New-York He i'm
mediately informed Admiral Da Cana that ne
American merchant ship arriving at Rio must
Piled that they would do SO at their peril While
the controversy was in progress two American
tain Benham directed Leutenant-C nt-Commander
Brownson, on the Detroit. 10 convoy the mer
chantmen TO the wharves where they were dis
charge their cargoes The American feet cleared
steamed i'm alongside one of the merchantrnen one
of the Brazilian warships fired blank cartridge
across the bow of the merchantman- The response
from the Detroit solid shot which entered
the sternpost of the Brazilian. 1t effective
response. and thereafter there further
trouble about the entry OF foreign ships. Admiral
Benham reported his action TO Washington and
his course approved although he had taken
matters in his hands and had acted without
Admiral Benham was retired in 1894. In recogni-
Philadelphia presented him with gold medal at
reception in his honor on october T. 1894, with
valor and patriotism" The box which contained
the medal had silver plate upon which were the
Rear Admiral Andrew E. h Benham. Z, S; N
May S. 1885," The date that upon which the
admiral raised the blockade at Rio.
In 1898 Admiral Benham served prize COM
missioner at Savannah; He served in the Sohley
married in 1858.