Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-15
ADMIRAL MIlueAN DROPS DEAD
RETIRED NAVAL OFFICER VIC.
TIM OF HEART FAILURE.
Was in Active Service for Forty
Two Years-Chief Engineer Of
Oregon on Famous Cruise.

ANNAPOLIS. Md. October 15.-Rear
Admiral Robert Wiley Milligan. L. s. NJ,
retired, who was the chief engineer officer
of the battleship Oregon and brought
that vessel around on its memorable pas
sage from the North Pacific coast in
time to render valuable assistance at the
battle of Santiago. in the Spanish Amer
lean war, dropped dead at his home on
Maryland avenue last night. Heart fail
ure was the primary cause of death.
Admiral Miiligan had been feeling poor
" for several days. but his condition was
not considered alarming. though he had
been under the care of a physician. The
admiral had just finished dinner with
members of his family, when he was seiz-
ed with a fainting spell and died within a
few minutes Admiral Milligan. who was
"a brother-in-law Of eX-MayOr Charles \.
Dubois of Annapolis. was sfxty-six years
old. Surviving him are widow and
two grown children.
He was well known in Annapolis through
the fact that he married into local
family. and he maintained residence
here for many years. He was also widely
known in Norfolk, where he was chief
engineer officer at the Norfolk navy yard
for six years.
Entered Naval Academy in 1868.
AppOiutcu u tue lIoIu 1cuiiSy
vania. Admiral Milligan entered the
Naval Academy as a mdshipmap August
=. 1863. and was graduated from that in
stitution four years later. He served
continuously in the service for forty-two
years, having been transferred to the re-
tired list in April, 1905. having reached
the age limit of siXty-twO years.
For his excellent handling of the Ore
CONS machinery on her famous trip
around the Horn. under the command OF
capt. Charles Clark, Admiral Milligan
Department and was advanced five num-
bers in his grade. At that time he held
the rank of commander. In May. 1899,
ten months following the hostilities with
last sea cruise, and on July l OF tile
same year he was placed in charge of
the Norfolk navy yard as chief engineer
officer, serving in that capacity until his
retirement. in April. 1903. Following his
retirement, Admiral Milligan came to An
napolis and took up his residence.
Over Eighteen Years Sea Service.
While on active duty Admiral Milligar
saw a total of eighteen years and sever
months Of sea service. He was employed OF
shore or other duty for nineteen years anG
six months, and for three years and foul
months was unemployed. He was com
missioned a captain after the war and re
tired with the grade of rear admiral.
After the battle of Santiago Milligar
had occasion to go aboard the Brooklyn
where he was greeted warmly by Commo
dore Schley. who threw his arms about nj:
neck and said: 'Miligan. you did IT. II
it had not been for the Oregon we shoulc
not have captured the Cristobal Colon.
1t was MiliganS tireless energy anC
thorough discipline below deck which en-
abled the Oregon TO chase the Colon
When the smoke cleared away at crit
zeal moment, the big hulk of the Oregon
which has since been described by an eye
witness as looking like a floating hotel,
appeared between the Brooklyn and the
Colon. thirteen-inch shell from the bat.
teship fell short; but the next one wen,
over the Spanish vessel. whose com
mander, without more ado. drove hel
ashore. knowing that she was within
range of the Oregon, which was showering
shells with every turn of the propeliers