The Washington herald., 1906-11-03
ADMIRAL DICKINS RETIRES
Reaches age Limit of So and Will
See No More Service.
Disbnnded Atlantic Coast Squadron
at Charleston In April. and Has
Been in Washington since.

Rear Admiral Francis ". Dickins was
yesterday placed on the list Of retired OfIi-
GERS OF tho navy on account OF age. ne hav-
ing reached the prescribed active limit Of
sixty-two years, made by act Of Con-
gress. The admiral stated last night that
although he was retired for age he was
a young man still, and his hale and hardy
appearance bears out his statement. He
is at present In this city on duty as q
member of the board of admirals at the
Navy Department, coming here after he
disbanded and dispersed the old coast
squadron OF the Atlantic fleet.
Admiral Dickins was born Ia Beekman
Township. Dutchess County, y. y. Later
he removed to Connecticut, and was aps
pointed TO the Naval Academy from that
State in 1861 He completed the course
in three years. graduating in November.
1864, when he was assigned 20 an Acad-
emy practice vessel searching for priva-
teers. His first real sea service, now
ever was on board the United States
steamer Colorado, flagship Of the Euro
pean squadron. He received two promo
tiOns while on the European station, 70
ensign IN November and 10 master IN
December, 1866. and in 1861 returned on
board the Augusta. which conveyed the
monitor MiautOnOmOh across the ocean.
He was made a lieutenant in March, 1858,
and one month later he cruised 70 the
South Atlantic station and around to
TIE West Indies. returning TO the United
States in February, 1911.
While on this cruise Admiral Dickins
was promoted to be a lieutenant COM
mander. In October 1872 he was ordered
T 30
KansEs on the expedition to Nicaragua.
Just one year later he went to the Ash
attic station. serving as executive officer
on the M0nocacy, Kearsarge. and Yantic.
and commanded the Yantic during the
latter part Of her cruise. He served for
two years as an instructor in mathemat-
les at the Naval Academy. Annapolis,
and in 1850 was made executive officer Of
the frigate Constitution, famiIiarIy known
as ''Old Ironsides-"
IN $50 ne was ordered to command the
TallapOOsa on the southern station, be-
ing promoted 20 the grade OF commander
a few months later, and receiving a val
liable present from the Salvage Associa-
ton of London for rescuing the big Brit
ish steamer Za-ate which went ashore on
LOpus Island rocks of the coast OF Cru-
quay.
he was placed in command OF the navy
yard in this city in 1850, and in 1885 was
selected by President Cleveland to take
charge Of the receptions, social functions,
and other courtesies in honor OF the Duke
OF Earagua. z Iineal descendant Of Chris
topher Columbus, when he visited this
city as guest OF the nation Admiral
Dickens accompanied the duke al over
the country, visiting the Worlds Fair at
Chicago and taking in ali the big cities.
While serving az assistant chief OF the
Bureau Of Navigation during the Span
lsh war, Admiral Dickins was promoted
10 the grade Of captain on July 5, 1s9S
Santiago Day.
While in command Of the cruiser Brook
iyn, flagship Of the Asiatic Fleet, Admiral
DickiGs took that vessel 20 Australia
to participate in the opening of the first
Australian Parliament al Melbourne. in
Nay, iS1. The Duke and Duchess OF
York. now Prince and Princess Of Wales.
were in Australia at the time on the
same mission. and the admiral met them
at many social functions. On returning
70 the United States via Europe, in De
cember. of the same year. he again met
The Duke and Duchess Of York. and upon
his leaving they presented him with au-
( t0graphed photographs. His final promo
tion was received on Bunker HiU Day.
June J., 1904
IN March. 1895, he was placed in COM
mand Of the coast squadron Of the Allan
tic Fleet. with the old battle ship Texas
Is flagship. He was the commanding offi-
Ger during the maneuvers of the South
Atlantic Coast, with headquarters al
Charleston last winter. and in April last
he hauled down his flag in Charleston
Harbor. after disbandiug his squadron. in
keeping with the policy Of the Navy De
partment He was also the officer in com
mGrd during the recent maneuveTs in
Chesapeake Bay, directing the attacks
against Baltimore and Washington.
Admiral Dickins is a knight OF the
Order Of the Cross Of Naval Merit Of
Spain. having received the decoration Of
that order from the King Of Spain In 1894.
He also has q beautiful silver medal
received from the King Of Siam, with
the consent Of the Navy Department.
while he was on board the MonOcacy. at
BankOk. Japan.
Admiral and Mrs. Dickins Will sail short
y for the Mediterranean, TO be gone
some time