The Washington herald., 1907-05-19

battle ships cleared for action as the
American craft approached. One Of them
fired a shot across the DetToits bows 20
stop her But BrOwnsOn didn't stop. He
kept right on. and when within hailing
distance Of one Of the armorclads he sang
out I'm Spanish:
IF you fire again well return the fire.
and if you respond to that, well sink
you"
Fires on brazilian with Rifle.
Another shot from the Brazilian was
fired close 10 the Detroit
Hit her between wind and water.
commanded Brownson TO the captain Of
a six-pounder. but the man misunder-
stood and fired over the battle ship. Then
Brownson sailed the Detroit close mp to
the Brazilian. Like cocky bantam
making a hostile demonstration toward
Shanghai roos cr the Detroit moved COM
petelv around the big foreign vessel As
the Detroit completed her maneuyeTing'
Browns0n turned 10 the marine with:
Put a musket ball i'm her sterup0st.'
If the Brazilian had responded she
could have blown the Detroit out Of the
water. but she did not
That shot ended the Rio blockade and
the Brazilian revolution. Admiral de
CANA. commanding the rebel squadron
went aboard the American flag ship and
rendered his sword to Admiral Benham,
saying he would surrender TO the United
States, but not to the Brazilian govern
ment Admiral Benham told him 10 put
up his sword and behave himself. When
the news of Admiral Benham's action
reached Washington. il created great eX-
element IN the Cleveland administration.
Admiral Benham had acted on his own
initiative and it is said that orders rep
rimaDd.ng him were prepared, and the
government was about 10 repudiate his
action. But, according 10 the way it was
put by an officer on duty in the Navy
Department at the time. "The New York
papers got iu just then and those orders
were never issued"
The newspapers Of the country COM
mended the decision of Beuham and the
pluck Of BrOWnsgn.
The man who has succeeded Admiral
Converse at the head Of the Navy De-
partment's most important bureau has
been a fighter an his life. but he has won
a reputation also as an excellent admin
istrative officer. and the service expects
20 see him conduct his new Office on the
same high plane Of efficiency that marked
its management by his predecessor.
Tribute to Converse.
One remarkable tribute to the services
Of Admiral Converse was paid by Secre-
tary Metcalf yesterday. by appointing
him president Of the board on cousuuc-
ton.
Secretary Metcalf stated that he was
impelIed 10 make this appointment be-
cause he regarded tho admirals services
as almost indispensable tn the navy. in
view Of his detailed knowledge Of almost
every branch of the service. line and staff,
and his complete devotion 10 the develop
ment of the navy. Secretary Netcalf an
uouuced that in addition 90 the recogui-
ton ne had accorded the admiral through
his appointment. President Roosevelt had
seen ut to address 10 the officer a per
s1nal letter in which he expressed his
deep regret at the necessity of relieving
him of the duties Of chief Of the Bureau
OF Navigation and paid a high tribute
% the work De- had accomplished in be-
half of the navy during the time he had
filed that post
Numerous changes I'm the personnel Of
the bureau staff will follow According
10 orders issued by the department. Capt.
William =. Potter. the principal assistant
chief of the bureau. Will be detached
from his duties May ~ to be succeeded
by Commander G. J. Badger. Capt Pot
ter will assume command OF the new bat
tie ship Vermont june g.
Lieut. Commander Thomas Washington.
in charge Of ship movements. Will be sue
ceeded early in June by Lieut. David F.
Sellers. and Will be given command of
the dispatch boat Dolphin. This is a good
assignment and is made personally by
the Secretary Of the Navy.
Lieut. Needham L. Jones will succeed
Lieut. Rufus Jones as aid % the chief
Lieut. Johnson viii be assigned 10 the
new battle ship Minnesota. now al the
Norfolk yard
What other officers, If any, viii follow
the change I'm administration are not
known. II has been customary in that
bureau for all officers to request To be re-
Heved of duty when a new chief comes
in. in order that ne may bring his own
men into the bureau.