New-York tribune., 1907-09-17

Who died yesterday.
ton tomorrow. daughter of the admiral left
here for that city this afternoon to arrange for
vices there 1t is the understood inten-
ton Of the admiraIs family to have the body Gre
mated, after which the ashes will be sent to Wash
ington for interment at the national capital
The death Of Rear Admiral John Crimes Walker
Getired) removes from the list Of the navy one
of its most prominent and able officers. He rem
dered distinguished service in the Civil War; car
ried high reputation. first executive officer and
later chairman Of the lighthouse board; had
the exceptional experience of serving for eight
years chief of the bureau of navigation: was
conspicuous for years acting rear admiral
in command of the White squadron; performed
valuable and delicate diplomatic work in South
America and the Pacific, debarred by reason Of re-
tirement from taking active part in the war
with Spain, his advice was sought and followed by
the Secretary of the Navy that time. while his
wide experience and special qualifications procured
for him the appointment as president Of the Mica
raCua Canal Commission in 1897. as president
OF the Isthnlan Canal Cornmissioni in 1899 and
as chairman Of the first Panama Canal Commis-
sion in l9o4-
Born in Hushoro y H.. on March %. 1885, Of
parents OF Scotch-Irish descent Rear Admiral
Walker came OF good old fighting stock. one OF
his ancestors having been a defender OF London
derry in the great Irish rebellion. ard another
having served with honor as an officer IN
the Continental army on the death 81 his
mother. while he still boy, Walker
went to Iowa. where he became member
Of the family ot hts maternal uncle, James
Wilson Grimes. third Governor Of that state. and
later United States Senator Appointed 70 the
Naval Academy in 1880 ne remained there for
eighteen months and then. according 20 the custom
OF those DAYS. was cent To sen in regular cruising
ship In his the sloop-of-war Portsmouth
Returning 10 the academy in 1855 complete his
or Walker CraFU-
a.ed at the head OF his class and became passed
rnidshiprlan in 1856 Hc then made a cruise on
the Brazilian station the sloop-of-war Falmouth
and frigate -. Lawrence The action OF a spe-
clal retiring board convened in 1875 having created
many vacancies in the line Of the navy, promotion
for Young officers unusually swift, and on
January 22. 1855 Passed Midshipman Walker was
advanced to tho grade OF master. while his promo
ton lieutenant followed the next day.
He holding the latter rank when the Civil
War broke out. and he saw hts first service the
Connecticut and later was executive officer Of the
gunboat Winona. and had share under FarTagut
in the passage OF Forts St Philip and Jackson and
in the capture Of New Orleans,
Promoted TO lieutenant commander in July, 1862
ne was put in command OF the Baron de kaib. a
so-caIled ironcad and became one of Admtra! Por-
ter's most valued assistants in the prolonged and
extensive naval operations iE the upper Mississippi
In that active and arduous service the river gun
boats fought not only the navy. but the OF the
enen1v-not only Confederate and torpedoes
but also sharpshooters and field batteries The
Baron De kalb took part in the operations against
yicksburg in two attacks upon Haness Bluff
and In the brilliant action at Arkansas Post where
running close in. she senced the Confederate guns
Lieutenant Commander Walker was employed fire.
ouently on detached service. He commanded an
expedition OF several vessels up the Yazoo River
which DESTROYED works and stores and finally.
the destruction of the Baron De kalb b. Confed-
crate torpedo he gave immediate assistance in the
reduction Of Vicksburg. commanding the naval
battery sent ashore 70 aid the Fifteenth Army
Corps in the siege OF that stronghold
When Admiral Porter was transferred from the
1f m the Atlantic Coast took with him several
of his most trusted officers. among whom was Lieu
tenant Commander Walker. He vas put IN com
r}and Of the Saco and afterward transferred TO the
SEsv-r1ut On which he took part in the capture or
Wilmington. y. c. During the remainder Of the
war he was employed IN the coast blockading
SQUADRON and after the close Of hostilities he com
raanded the Shawnu@ in Brazilian ana european
waters When the services of naval offceTs
were examined in the Navy Department with
,,ia,, 10 revarding the most deserving by special
promotion. none were found better than mat OF
Lieutenant Commander Walker. ana ne received
the maximum advancement. ABOUT foity NUMBERS
ybich took him well into the commanders grade.
- mi, ., 1865 when he was only thirty-one years
old.
Attaining high rank az an early age prepared oS
varied training and experiences lor reSPoHs!oIe
duties Commander Walker began 10 make that I'M
- -, bi- rrofassion and the service which is
the real test Of ability. He served at the Naval
Academy for three years as assistant TO admiral
Porter then superintendent. and in l86s-7o com
rnanded the frigate Sabine on a special cruise OF
instruction for graduated mdshipmen to Europe
and RraziI After tour of duty as lighthouse in
gpector he was detailed as secretary of the Light
house Board in 1873. and held that important post
for FIVE years There his capacity for administra-
ton had full sway. and he reorganized the business
of the board and established it upon It's present
high plane of efficiency. He was promoted 10 the
grade of captain 1877. After his detachment from
the Lighthouse Board, in 1878. he took advantage
of leave of absence 10 enter the service of the
chicago Burlington 6: Quincy Railroad in an I'M
r,ortant capacity. Such the impression made
upon the directors OF the road by his business
oua1es that, upon the expiration Of his leave. the
r1ace OF treasurer offered to him.
Fesumtng his naval duties, however. he was
nlsced in command Of the Powhata and in 1881
,yas made chief of the bureau of navigation and
a. the expration of his four years term, in 1885. he
&c raannointed. Captain Walkers occupancy of
1T ;,nncrtant office at time of unusual
,a,,,ar+ and energy in naval affairs, when, after
..ard;r1 stiU for fifteen years and until the navy
,,,o- reduced 10 a few superannuated wooden ve5-
al. the huilding of a modern feet was begun.
I, oil this work and in the changes which accom-
,ansd II he took leading part as the Secretsry's
nrtncpal adviser, both in planning and IN eXamin-
ing.
lie Was advanced TO the grade OF commodore in
1880 and I'm October OF that year. an acting rear
,5,1iraI he boisted bis flag the Chicago and
tool. command OF the squadron of evolution, the
first organized force of the new steel vessels wnch