The Washington herald., 1908-03-18
SPERRY TO COMMAND
Will Guide Fleet in Cruise
Around the World.
EVANS ASKS TO BE RETIRED
III and Near Age Limit-ThOmns Will
Succeed, but Retires Before Battle
ships Leave 'FrfscO-WHinwright
and schroeder 10 Become Rear Adj
miraIs and Command Divisions.

Rear Admiral Robley ID. Evans Is Ill. AT
his own reques. he VIII be retired from
the command of the great fleet of bat
tie ships on May S. at the close Of the
grand naval review in San Francisco Bay.
He viii be succeeded in commend OF
the feet temporarily by Rear Admiral
Charles NJ. Thomas. now commanding
the second squadron.
Before the feet starts from San Fran
CISCO, however, Admiral Thomas will be
retired. The fleet will complete its cruise
around the world urder command OF
Rear Admiral Charles S. Sperry. now
commanding the fourth division.
This schedule OF changes was announced
yesterday. after the matter had been
talked over by the President and Secre-
tary Of the Navy Metcalf at the regular
Cabinet meeting.
Evans Asks TO BE Retired.
Meteaf had received "a telegram from
Admiral Evans, dated Magdelena Bay,
asking 20 be relieved Of command after
the san Francisco ceremonies. He said
he was in poor health and that his physi-
clan had recommended this step.
1t was a foregone conclusion that Ad-
miral Evans would not have command OF
the fleet If it left San Francisco for
Hawaii. Samoa. Australia, and the Philip
pines. He viii reach the statuatory age Of
retirement-sixty-two years-on August IS.
II is contrary 10 the policy Of the naval
administration to keep retired officers on
sea duty. In addition, ne has been III on
the cruise from an attack of rheumatism.
an old enemy. and was forced for while
TO turn over the active command OF the
fleet 10 Admiral Thomas.
The announcement was also made that
the feet win leave San Francisco on its
cruise into Australasia on July G. On
that day according 70 the official in
formation disclosed. Admiral Thomas will
haul down his two-starred flag and be
succeeded In command by Admiral Sperry.
Commands for Two Officers.
From that time on until the feet re-
turns 10 the Atlantic coast Admiral Sper-
ry. It was explained. would be in supreme
command Of the great aggregation OF bat
tie ships. On July II Capt. Seaton
Schroeder, OF the Virginia. and Capt
Richard Wainwright of the Louisiana,
will be promoted TO the grade OF rear ad-
miral. II has been decided that each
shall be given command of 2 division Of
the fleet
The command Of the second squadron
OF the first division OF that squadron will
come to Rear Admiral William II. Emory.
now in command OF the second division
Of the first squadron. Each squadron
consists OF eight battle ships and each
division of four battle ships
Capts. Schroeder and Wainwright are
brothers-in-la Rear Admiral Emory is
a cousin OF Capt. Wainwright Admiral
Emory, Capt. Schroeder. and Capt. VAIN
wright are members of Washington fan1i-
lies. All three were born in this city.
Admiral Emory will reach the retire.
ment age on December II. 1t is probable
he will not be deta ched from the feet in
anticipation Of that event.
Wninwright's Notable Career.
Capt Wainwright is great favorite
with both the President and Mrs Roose-
velt He attracted the Presidents atten-
ton while Roosevelt was Assistant Sec
retary Of the Navy. and won Roosevelt's
admiration by his conduct in the naval
battle Of Santiago on July 3, 1893.
Capt. Wainwright then commanded the
little converted gunbOat Gloucester, for
merly ]. p Morgan's yacht Corsair
When the Spanish ironclads emerge
from Santiago Harbor Capt. Wainwrig
realizing that his tiny ship would be
no account in a contest with the
waited for the appearance Of the
pedo-boat destroyers which were k
10 be with the ensmys squadron.
AS the destroyers ran out OF III
bor, close behind the ironclads. tn
cester closed in and drove them
IN his comments on the Schley
inquiry the President referred
cident in terms OF high praise.