Daily Kennebec journal., 1908-12-07
Dies Suddenly Saturday
At New Rochelle n. Y.
His Health Had Been Poor, But
Death Was Unexpected.
Had Noble Naval Record, Having
Served From December, 1863.

New Rochelle. y. Y. Dec. 6.--Just on
the eve OF his removal to his hew
homo, where he had hoped to spend
his declining years in quiet after
lifetime of arduous service in the navy,
Rear Admiral Joseph B. Coughlan, ire
tired), died suddenly here Saturday.
His death was entirely unexpected.
Although his health had not been of
the best for many months, Rear Ad-
mlral Coughlans condition was not
regarded at any time as serious. Early
Saturday, however, there came q sud-
den change for the worse and although
physicians were promptly summoned
and did everything they could he sank
rapidly until death came Saturday
forenoon. While Admiral Coghlan was
awaiting the completion of his new
home. he. with Mrs. Coghlan had been
living at the home of Charles Cham
berlain at sutton Manor. 1t was there
that the admiral was stricken and died
Rear Admiral Coghlan was gradual
ed from the United States Naval Acad-
emy in 1863 From that time until his
retirement in December. 1906. he was
almost constantly in the service. He
participated in the battle OF Manila
bay during the Spanish War. where he
commander the cruiser Raleigh and
was advanced six numbers i'll rank
for conspicuous conduct in that fight.
He had in turn been commandant of
the Mare Island navy yard. League Is
land navy yard, Puget Sound naval
station, Naval War College and the
New York navy yard. Admiral Coshlan
was a native of Frankfort, KY, and
was "a years old.
Washington Dec. 6.--Sincere regret
was expressed on every hand when the
news Of the death of Rear AdlHlral Jo-
seph Il. Coghlan became known. Fear
less, kindly and a good Stcry teller he
had hosts of warm friends both among
officers and those outside the service.
Admiral Dewey expressed himself as
shocked at the news. Coghlan was With
Dewey at the battle of Manila Bay IN
command "f the cruiser Raleigh and
he was promoted later for his work III
that battle. He enjoyed the admirars
confidence to marked degree and was
dispatched by him on various I'M
portant missions while the feet was
in the Philippines.
1t was Admiral Coghlan's popularity
and capacity as good story tsiler
that involved him in the incident oi
which much was made at the time
when the admiral recited the poem,
"Hoch der Kaiser which somewhat
rutfled the German authorizes. Inc
incident occurred at dinner when
the admiral attended and 1t was not
intended that the fact of the reci'ai
should become public However, IT ap-
reared in newspapers and as 1t oe-
Cured after the return from Maiiia
where there had been some fric'ioh
with the German authorities, the al
fair was treated with more siSniIlcahoe
than perhaps it otherwise would Ea.e
warranted TIE navy department car
ed On the admiral for an explanation
The admiral replied that no dlsrespee'
was meant by him towards the uei
man Emperor and with this statement
the matter was allowed to drop
Admiral Coghlan was born III he"'
lucky IN 1874 In the course OF his as
tinguished career he had active -.
vice in the Civil War, in the spahlsn,,
American War, as second In comhiah"
of the North Atlantic squadron VI
board the 1lagships Brooklyn az, aa'
Olympia from June, 1902 TO April ha''
and more recently commandant oi Wv
New York navy yard. %@