The Washington herald., 1908-08-18
ADMIRAL EVANS BIRTHDAY
By FREDERIC J. HASKIN.
By FREDERIC ]. HASKIN.

in the Federal service. He was youth
of intense convictions. and even al that
early age he believed in the Union After
he had decided 10 stay in TIE service. his
eslguauon was accepted without his hav-
ing rendered it. Investigation revealed
that his mother had written out the res
ignation and forwarded II TO the War De
partmenJ. After being out Of the service
tWeuty-four hours he re-enlisted. and
served through the war
He proved his Eettle lrst ar Fort
Fisher He was wounded four times IN
that engagement and lay for hours In
vvater-fll-d hole before he vas finally
carried aboard ship He was taken 60
Norfolk, and there the hospital authori-
ties decided to amputate both of his legs
he had his revolver with him. and de-
cla.ed he would shoot the man who at
tempted 10 take OF his legs. They then
-eJ lin alone and the attention De got
was very little After lowering between
lie and death for weeks. he recovered
enough 70 be taken 10 PhiIadeIphia on a
str-tcler- OF most men such wounds
would have made cripple for life But
Evans was game he exercised his legs
in spite OF excruciating pain. and On 1851
was ready for duty again Before this
when the question of promotion came up.
the medical board promptly retired him.
but Congress restored him 10 The active
LIST.
After several years OF active sea serv-
ice. he was made equipment officer Of the
Washington Navy Yard While there he
was the first officer TO recommend steel
aruor for battle ships, and his views
finally obtained Then he was made light
house Inspector for the Fifth district
Because he hauled good many political
appo.ntees over the Goals he was disHked-
and he asked a leave from the service
which was granted During this Geava he
was inspector or material for the Havre
de Grace bridge, and studied srealuazinE
in all lis branches. When Whitney was
made Secretary of the Navy. Evans was
returned 10 his old position as lighthouse
inspector He originated the idea Of IlEat-
ing New York Harbor by night. and the
electric ouoys there to-day are the result
OF his suggestion He was the steel il-
spert1r when the first arn0r plate was
made FOR the government and drew tre
Specifications which have given US the
l=st aTIlor made When Secretary Whit
ney wanted a ~Crarp- 10 preside over
the BrooElyu sLlpyard while the Maine
was building. Evans was selected. 7 ben
came another period Of sea duty. and IN
with the Alaskan sealers- then his enter
tainUeuc Of Emperor William at the
opening of the KEEL Canal after this
ca1-e the Spanish war. where tEe Iowa.
commanded by Evans. first slguaIa5 the
sorGe OF the Spanish fleet ana draL TIE
Irsr gun ln The action thar resulted ll
its destruction After the war was over
came well-ear-ed promotion .Ja- rear
admiral and the eight years as q fax
officer which be recently brought 90 q
close n san Francisco amid The pIauIi-s
Of aGUiriug nations. And to-day. modest
y wearing his weIi-earned Iau-els. serene
ly hearing the Wen done" of The people.
he goes quietly into private Lte-IE.s
twentieth century Viking
vl1 has lived more stories
T1ln Z7E1aar r- C-lII invent.
lCeurslt- 1905 b. Eleza-lc j. HasEiu1
TO-mOrrov-The Case of Venezuela.