Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-04

near AQEAlTdl ". d. IQOmdS.
burne and other men started to assist
him to his room in the east annex. a dis
lance of $50 yards. Before the room was
reached the body became suddenly limp.
and il is thought Admiral Thomas died at
that moment, for when Dr. Morton ar
rtFed. a few minutes later, he pronounced
Admiral Thomas beyond all aid. The
sudden death of Admiral Thomas came as
a great shock to Mrs. Thomas her daugh-
ter and friends of the family. Only a
few days ago Admiral Thomas spoke of
the good health he was enjoying. He had
been guest at the hotel for two months.
In addition TO widow and daughter
Admiral Thomas leaves a son, who is a
lieutenant on the kearsarge.
One of the Most Popular Officers.
Rear Admiral Thomas was one of the
most popular officers in the service and
his entire career was marked by special
efforts to improve the condition and
efficiency of the enlisted personnel. He
was born in Philadelphia. October 1, 1916,
and was billed for retirement on the LIST
OF next October. when he would have
reached the age of sixty-two years. He
was graduated from the Naval Academy
In 1885. and in November. 1874, at New
port r. J.. married Miss Ruth Simpson,
son. He served in all parts of the world
and performed important duties of vari-
Gus kinds. After promotion through the
different grades he became rear admiral
January l.. 1905. His first service was on
the old cruiser Shenandoah from 1865 to
1860; he was next on the L. S. s. Supply
for one year. and then successfully on
the L. S. S. Guerrero. the receiving ship
Potomac and the monitors Ajax and Ter
rOr.
a NJ no nrf
training station he was attached to the
C-S.S- Dictator and next served at the
centennial exposition at Philadelphia.
Naval Service, Summarized.
The remainder of his service is officially
summarized as follows:
On receiving ship St. Louis. 1S77-7S;
Constitution. 1s7s-sO: at Naval Academy.
1SSO-S4: executive officer Hartford. 1854
81: coast survey steamer Patterson, 1887
SO; photographic inspector. coast survey.
1sS'N91: bureau of navigation. 1891 -93
commanded Bennington. 1885,; naval
home. Philadelphia. 1851; Naval War
College. Newport. 1897; Naval Academy.
1S91-9S: Eighth inspector. fifth district.
1s9s-a9; commanded Lancaster. 1899;
Brooklyn. 19eO-O1; Oregon 19O1-O2; re-
ceiving ship Franklin. 1DO2-O4; cOmman-
dant naval training station. Newport. r.
L., and second naval district 19O4-O3; SUI
perintendent naval training station. 1906
"a; mmanded second division Atlantic
fleet, January-August. 1907, commanded
second squadron Atlantic fleet. 19O7-OS;
commanded fleet to May IL. 1908.
Since his relief of command of the At
lantic feet at San Francisco he lived al
Del Monte with his family. awaiting his
transfer to the retired list.
Gave Up Place Of Honor.
Admiral Thomas voluntarily gave up the
of a Il Of Of ho .
lantic battleship fleet in May. in order
that his successor. Rear Admiral Charles
S, Sperry. might have the benefit of the
stay of the feet In American waters be-
fore IL started on it's long journey around
:h'. world from San Francisco. 1t had
been arranged at the Navy Department
tha: Admiral Thomas should be com
mander-in-chief of the fleet for about g
month. but he surrendered it after hold
ing it about a week and before the yes
sells left on their trip from San Fran
cisco for Puget sound. He did that ir
order that Admiral Sperry might thor
oughly familiarize himself with every fea
ture of the working of the fleet before
sailing from San Francisco July {.
Rear Admiral Thomas was second in
command of the Atlantic feet. to Rear
Admiral Evans on the record breaking
to the latters prolonged Illness was
obliged to represent him and the fleet a,
all the receptions and functions which
marked the cruise.
Admiral Thomas is lieutenan,
on the battleship Kearsarge which is due
to sail next Tuesday from Honolulu. He
will he detached from that vessel If tina,
is his wish Ii is expected the admiraFs
body will be brought east for interment
Great Loss to the Navy.
Rear Admiral Pillsbury. chief of the
naval bureau of navigation and acting
secretary of the navy. was shocked and
grieved at the news OF the sudden death
of Admiral Thomas. who was a close
personal friend.
Admiral Thomas said he. was a
very bright officer. and a most charmins
personality. He was most thorough an(
enthusiastic in everyt hing he undertook
He was long Identified with the training
service. and took deep personal interest,"
in the welfare and Improvement of tn.
men. His death is decided loss to tn,
navy"