Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-07-23
Rear Admiral R. B. Brad
ford, i. S. n, Retired
After Brilliant Career Of IS
Years in Country's Service.
Rstires on Account Of Age Limit-.-Natiye Of
Maine---W Widely Known.

Boston, July 22.-Aftcr a brilliant ca
reer in the navy of nearly As years,
Rear Admiral Royal b. Bradford, q
Maine man. was placed on the retired
list of the navy at noon owing to the
age limit. His retiremnt causes pro-
motions and changes all along the line
in the service.
The most important promotion is that
of Capt. Samuel w. Very, a Boston
man. who attains the rank of a rear
admiral. He has recently received Or
ders in command of that station The
next most important promotion is that
of Commander Edward F. Qualtrou2h,
who is made a captain. Other promo
tons follow down the line. Rear Adj
miral Bradford was recently ordered
home from Europe, where he has been
in command Of squadron.
Rear Admiral Bradford was born in
Turner. Me-, July 90. 1874. He received
his appointment to the naval academy
in November, 1861 and graduated from
there four years later. While at the
academy he was attached to several
ships. In his graduating year he
ranked third in a class of "a.
His first duty was on the old sloop
Swatara, then attached to the West
Iidian squadron, where he remained in
1865 and part of 1866. He was ad-
vanced to the grade of an ensign in
the latter year and in the latter part
of that year was assigned to the Ri ode
Island, then flagship to the north Allan
tic station. His next duty was on the
Iroquois of the Asiatic station, where
he served as watch and navigating OIL
Ger. He was made master in 1868 and
a lieutenant in 1869.
From 1877 to 1850 he served on the
Alliance as her executive officer. For
the next three years he was instructor
in torpedo warfare at Newport.
From 1889 to 1855 he served on the
Trenton, flagship of the Asiatic station,
az executive offer. For the next two
years he was again assigned to New
port, where he was engaged in prepar-
ing naval regulations. While there he
served as the first naval inspector of
electric lighting.
On Nov. 1, 1887, he was detailed as
the assistant to the chief of the bu-
reau Of navigation. He remained on
that duty for four years. when he was
assigned to the gunbOat Bennington as
commanding officer. He was advanced
to the grade of q commander In 1889.
He participated in the Columbus cele-
brations in Spain and Italy in 1892 and
also in the naval review in the United
states in the next year. From 1898 to
1896 he served as member of the
board Of inspection and survey. In 1896
and 1897 he commanded the cruiser
Montgomery of the North Atlantic
station.
In the latter part of 1897 he was ap-
pointed n member of the Paris peace COM
mission While chief of the equipment
bureau he was given the temporary rank
of n rear admiral
In 1868 he again rendered his resignation
M chief Of the bureau of equipment 50
that he might be assigned tn sea duty.
This time the resignation was accepted
and he was given command of the battle
ship Illinois. AS commander OF that ship
b,, mt one time saved her from total de-
struction when she was in collision with
the battlesmp Missouri. For this he was
commended by the navy department. lie
was advanced to the grade of rear adj
miral In 1901. He will live at Auburn.
Me-, where his family maintain a resi-
dence and where he is a voter
Cart Very, who attained flag rank by
the retirement, was born in Liverpool,
Eng, April %, 1916. His boyhood was
spent in Cambridge and Maiden. He en-
tered tho navy In 1853. He saw some ser
vince in the Civil war. II" was cX"cu-
tive office Of the cruiser Boston when
that vessel was stationed on the Pacific
coast in 1890. He is one of the ordnance
experts and scientists in the navy.
As n seaman he has demonstrated his
ability In every way. 1t was he who
made the conquest and received the sur
render Of ZlmhoanEa in the Philippines.
For this work he was commended by
Admiral Watson. who then commanded
the Asiatic station. He was at tho local
navy yard for a couple Of years prior to
the Spanish war. During the war he
commanded the collier Saturn and later
the Cassdus. which took part in few
scraps in Cuban waters. He became a
captain in 1901. lie lives in Newton.