The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-02-25

One OF the officers OF the odd navy. "
one who knew not the command Of grim
iroi.clads. but intrepid service neverthe-
less aboard craft now obsolete. Joined
his comrades yesterday. Rear Admiral
Samuel r Franklin. L s. ". retired
died at I:30, O'Clock at mis- home. I35S
Nineteenth street northwest.
he was eighty-three years Of age, and
bore them well. although he had been
in falling health for some time. He was
retired from the navy twenty-five years
ago. after an honorable, eventful career
in the days when Individual daring and
initiative were at a premium
He Is survived BY his wife and brother
Col Walter Franklin. Of Baltimore, and
six nephews He has no children. The
funeral services viii be held al 10 o'clock
tomorrow morning from St Matthew s
Church. Burial viii be az Arlington,
without military ceremonial It viii be
quiet and simple
In Historic Fight.
Admiral Franklin was in the thickest OF
the fighting IN the civil war when the
cause OF the Union was at a low ebb He
stuck 10 his guns on the gunboat Roa-
noke while the uerimac was raining
shells on the Federal cruisers After the
Congress and the Cumberland were de-
stroyed by the Confederate ironclad, the
Roanoke engaged the Merrimac, and the
young volunteer, Franklin, served through
the memorable conflict.
He was feet captain Of the West Gulf
blockading squadron In October. 1865: he
was on the staff Of acting Rear Admiral
Thatcher in the operations IN Mobile Bay
IN the spring Of 1855. and was naval rep
resentative in the demand for the sur
render OF the city OF Mobile. He served
with distinction throughout the civil war.
and AT its close was commissioned COM
mander. He became a captain on August
Il, 1872.
Rear Admiral Franklin was born IN
Pennsylvania, and was appointed a mid
shipnnan from that State IN 1871. his
academy career was marked by wide ac-
tivity. as he served aboard a receiving
ship al New York. the United States. the
Relief. the Levant, and the Independence.
He was promoted a passed midshipman
Il lsf7.
After that came period Of service on
the Sarsnsc. Dolphin. and the survey
schooner Madison He was appointed
commandsnt Of midshipn1en OF the Naval
Academy and professor Of ethics and
English IN 1S55. and was commissioned a
/ lieutenant the same year lie served on
the Falmouth three years. and vas on
ordnance duty at the Washington Navy
Yard. and also az the Naval Observatory
In 1856 He served aboard the Mace
Z DOMAIN and Dacotsh and was IN con-
mand Of the Victoria at the outbreak OF
the war.
Commissioned Commodore
After being commissioned captain in
ISL, he served at the Mare Island. New
London. and Washington Navy Yards for
a year Then came commands Of the
Wabash and the Franklin. he was cap
tain Of the Norfolk NAVY Yard in IS71,
and was later connected with the Hydro
graphic Office and the Bureau OF Equip
ment He was commissioned q comuo-
dore Nay :. ISL.
Admiral Franklin became suDerintend-
ent Of the Naval Observatory in 1874. and
was commissioned a rear admiral on jar
uary q. 1SS5. In command Of the Eu-
pean station on the Franklin and Pensa-
cola for The following two years. he was
transferred TO the retired list August a
lSl. He was hOnored with the presidency
Of the international Marine Conference in
I Washington. October. 1850
Since MS retirement. he has lived in
Washington and viii be mourned by the
entire army and navy Of the world