The Washington herald., 1909-03-30

Rear Admiral George A. Converse, re-
dred, president Of the Board Of COnsruc-
ton Of the Navy Department. and gen
orally recognized as one Of the foremost
naval officers OF his time. died suddenly
at his home. I72O Connecticut avenue. at
7lo O'Clock last night.
The cause Of his death was given as
uraemic poisoning Mrs. Converse,
wife OF the rear admiral, the Misses
Maude and OLGA Converse. his daugh-
ters, and Miss Blood. sister Of Mrs
Converse, were az the bedside.
Funeral services viii be held at ST
Johns Episcopal Church al o'clock to-
morrow afternoon. Interment will be at
Arlington. with full military honors.
Although Rear Admiral Converse had
been an invalid from tuberculosis FOR
years. his death was entirely unexpected.
and was a great shock 20 every one On
Friday last Rear Admiral Converse
showed the same interchangeable interest
in his work. and tolds Chief Constructor
". L. Capps that he was feeling better
than for some time Later in the day.
however. the admiral felt fatigued and
returned 10 rs 49,
Planned 10 yisit office.
Saturday ana oun0ay he felt better. and
planned to be nj his Office in the Mills
Building yesterday. But Sunday night
he had a decided turn for the worse and
his physicians. Medical Director william
s Dixon, and Or. Charles H T.
Iowndes, Of the navy. and DR.. b r
Hardin we're hurriedly called. They
found Indications OF uraemic poisoning
with complications. but the admiral re-
sponded 10 treatment. and IL was hoped
.lsea.Ea4E1s reeorets The physicians left
s BEDSIDE az 5:eS o'clock feeling there
was 10 immediate danger. Five minutes.
later Rear Admiral Converse was dead
Chief Constructor Capps. and Capt.
Usher. OF the Bureau OF Navigation.
were with the admiral almost TO the mo-
lnent Of his death. Throughout the even
ing officers of the navy and their wives
and friends OF the family called 10 ex-
press their grief 20 Mrs. Converse, who,
however. was prostrsted.
Rear Admiral Converse had frequently
been spoken Of By hissnRsiates as "the
most accomplished liv ,Yal officer in
the world" G-id, fsret. oosevelt. IN
writing letter on the subject OF the
criticisms on the United states navy a
year ago. said.
In particular. I desire you 10 get the
. opinion Of Rear Admiral Converse who.
until last spring, was chief OF the Bureau
OF Navigation, and whose high personal
standard OF conduct and duty and high
professional knowledge and attachments
render him peculiarly fit to give judg-
ment"
Rear Admiral Converse was a man OF
indomitabIe courage, which was strik-
iEgly exhibited in an almost lifelong
fight with Illness which sapped his vital
ity. Early in his naval career he was
attacked with tuberculosis. and was or
6ered by naval surgeons to the noun
tains Fighting every step OF the way
the young naval officer returned 10 duty
in the face Of strong opposition
During the greater part OF his brilliant
navel career he did his duty under
hendic5p 70 which almost any other would
have succumbed. When he might have
retired under slightly reduced pay for
disability he chose rather 10 fight for
retention in the ranks, and in the face OF
what seemed 10 be insurmountable oh
stacles came TO distinguished service in
the Navy Department. the like of which
few officers have found.
In the latter part Of his life he was
forced to use the utmost care in regard
10 his health IN order 10 gain sufficient
strength to do his duty. In this he per-
sisted even after he had reached the age
Of retirement.
Often going directly from his Office in
the Mills Building TO his bed. he would
deny himself all social pleasures in order
that he might have strength 70 take up
his work the next day. As his strength
grew less he was forced to spend several
days ar a time IN bed
Native Of Vermont.
Born in Vermont, Admiral Converse
never gave UP his connection with his
native State. It was his custom when
duty permitted to spend part of each
summer at his summer home in Norwich
Early in life he exhibited a liking for
literary pursuits, and at one time nub-
Ished a diminutive newspaper. for which
he obtained a gcodly number of sub-
Ecribers. This was at a time when nrint-
Ing presses were less common AMONG bovs
than now
Rear Admiral Converse was born in
Norwich, Vt, on May 13 1874 He was
educated in the Norwich public schools.
going later 10 the Norwich University.
and from there 10 the Naval Academy.
where he was appointed acting midship-
man on September %. 1861. and was grad
uated AT the head OF his class In 1855.
Throughout his earlier naval career he
showed marked efficiency and adapta-
bility. He was studious In his habits.
and in early life. as in later years. pre-
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