The San Francisco call., 1908-05-10
.SPfRRY SOON MAY
GIVE UP COMMAND
Officers Fear Admiral Might
Break Down on Cruise
Around World

Rear Admiral Charles S. Sperry. who
is to succeed Rear Admiral Thomas In
command OF the Atlantic feet Friday
may not lead the fleet on it's cruise
around the world, despite the fact that
1t has been generally understood that
this honor would fall to him. Such is
the whisper that is going the rounds Of
the flag and commanding officers OF the
feet who are in the best position to
judge, and it seems TO be not without
foundation.
1t is not because OF any unntness on
the part of Admiral Sperry to assume
the responsibility Of the world cruise
that his leadership has become a mat
ter of doubt, but because 1t is feared by
the officers who are in closest touch
with him that his health will not stand
the strain of the terrific responsibility
attached to active command of 16 ships
Admiral Sperry is not strong, and his
duties have already told upon him.
Should his physical condition permit,
there seems no. doubt that he will be
the man given supreme command. for
the entire cruise, but when the subject
is mentioned there are many who shake
their heads and say that he will never
be the man to undertake the leadership
of the complete voyage.
SOON MAY LEAVE FLEET
Admiral Thomas will remain in COM
mand until the festivities planned for
the fleets stay in this port have come
10 an end Friday, and will then give
way to Admiral Sperry. 1t is now be-
lieved by many officers of high rank
that Admiral Sperry. will remain in
command only until the cruise to Puget
sound has been accomplished, and that
some time before the ships leave for
Honolulu he will be retired and some
other rear admiral assigned to the post
in time to familiarize himself with his
new duties before the cruise actually
begins. Admiral Sperrys condition at
present is not serious, but his constitu-
tion IS far from having the ruggedness
that is almost Indispensable for a man
about TO step into command for voy-
age that will break all records for war
vessels.
Who will succeed Sperry In case he
is relieved from command before the
world cruise begins is a question that
opens the way for almost endless ward
room gossip and discussion aboard the
ships. yet it seems a present that Cap
tain Richard Wainwright OF the battle
ship Louisiana is his most likely sue
cessor.
NOn MEAN E1AOMO
Captain Wainwright is first on the
promotion list and is shortly to be-
come a rear admiral as is also Cap
tain W. P. Potter of the Vermont. Both
men will undoubtedly receive their
rank before the world cruise begins,
and even should Sperry remain in COM
mand will probably command divisions
of the feet. Admiral Emory seems out
Of the question as the possible COM
mander in chief OF the fleet, for reason
that the date of his retirement Is
close at hand and the position conse-
quently appears to lie between one Of
the captains to be appointed to the
higher rank and the admirals of the
Pacific fleet, one of whom might be
transferred for the duty.
ADMIRALS ARE AVAILABLE
Admirals Dayton. Sebree and Swim
burne are now with the Pacific fleet in
the bay, and 1t is not impossible that
one of them might be ordered to trans
fer his flag to the Atlantic feet. Any
one OF them is of broad experience and
well fitted for the task OF supreme
command. yet the new idea OF the navy
has been to get the younger men as
rapidly as possible into the high posi-
tfons and relieve the older men of the
service from active duties with the
fleets.
Captain Wainwright has already been
discussed as a man selected for large
responsibilities by those in charge Of
naval affairs, and 1t would not surprise
the officers OF the feetishould his pro-
motion to the rank of rear admiral be
followed almost Immediately by an ad-
vance to the billet of commander in
chief.
Captain Wainwright is well known
and his career in the navy has been in
many respects a remarkable one. Dur
ing the Spanish war he was the hero
Of an exploit so audacious that It COM
manded wide attention and was re-
served for a place of it's own in naval
annals. He was in command. of the
converted yacht Gloucester, which had
formerly been the private yacht Cor
sair, belonging to ]. Pierpont Morgan,
and was stationed for sentinel duty
close to the mouth of Santiago bay at
the time Admiral Cervera made his
disastrous attempt to get out of the
bottle neck with the Spanish fleet.
AS the enemy's vessels came abreast
the Gloucester Captain wainwright
promptly opened fire, engaging the en-
tire Spanish armada single handed be-
fore the larger warships of the Ameri-
can fleet had an opportunity to get
Into action. To Captain wainwright
always ready to fight at close quar-
ters and against any odds. is also at
tributed the remark:
Well have to get closer to them.
At this distance we might strain our
guns