Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-02-01
CLAIMED BY DEATH FIND MYL|US GUILTY
Passnu of Rear Admiral Writer Sentenced to One Year
Charles S. Sperry, Retired for Libel on King GEORGE
WAS VICTIM OF pneumonia ACCUSED HIM OF BIGAMY
Officer Who Commanded Besh Charge Droved by
Fleet Trip Around World Admiral Seymours Testimony
WON HoNoRs IN THE SERVICE HIS MAJESTY IN COURT
Tactics Prosecution Not to Defend Mon
and STRAIT archy But to Protect Husband
egst-His Record. and Father
Passing. of Rear Admiral
Charles S. Sperry, Retired.
WAS VICTIM OF PNEUMONIA
Officer Who Commanded Battleshlp
Fleet on Trip Around World.
WON H0NORS IN THE SERVICE
Regarded as Authority on Tactics
and Ranked as Brilliant STRAIT
egist-His Record.

Rear Admiral Charles S. Sperry. retired,
one of the most distinguished ohcers OF
the navy, and who successfully plloted
the United States battleship fleet around
the world in 19lS-Oa. died of pneumonia
at the Naval Medical School Hospital here
today.
Admiral Sperry arrived in Washington
last Friday from his home in Newport.
r. l.. for special duty in the state De-
partment, incident to his representation o.
the United States at the conference Of
the naval powers OF the world held in
London in the early part of 1909. He
became i'll shortly after his arrival in
Washington, pneumonia developing, and
yesterday he entered the Naval Hospital,
where the attack proved fatal at IL
o'clock this morning. Mrs. Sperry, who
is in Newport, has been summoned to
Washington by telegraph, and no ar
engagements will be made for the funeral
until her arrival.
Death Was Unexpected.
The death Of Admiral Sperry was a
shock to his fellow-officers in the navy
and blow to the State Department,
which has counted much upon his assist
ance in perfecting a translation of what
is known as the declaration Of London.
The agreement Of the London conference
was drawn up in French. 1t sets forth
the various principles of maritime law to
Hague. Both Great Britain and the
United States have translated the docu-
ment but there are discrepancies In i'm
portant particulars in the two transla-
tons. Admiral Sperry had been sum-
moned to Washington for the purpose of
reconciling the differences before the
document is submitted to the United
States Senate. as it is important that the
version of Great Britain and the United
States, with a common language, should
be absolutely identical.
The best known service OF the deceased
officer was his trip around the world as
commander-in-chief of the Atlantic fleet.
francisco in May. 1908. and relinquished
his command after the vessels had COM
pletely encircled the globe and arrived
safely in Hampton roads In the spring of
1900.
Native of New York.
He was born in Brooklyn, September 3,
1917. graduating firm the Naval Academy
in 1866. He was promoted ensign in
April. 1868. passing successfully to the
grade of lieutenant in March. 1870; lieu
tendant commander. in March. 1885; COM
mander, in July. 1894; captain on July l.
1900. and rear admiral, May g. 1906 Rear
Admiral Sperry has been president OF the
Navy War College and performed inn
portant duty as a member of the general
board. He was a recognized authority on
tactics. and one of the most brilliant
strategists in the service. He also was an
authority on international law and its
usages. He was the United States naval
delegate to The Hague conference in
1906 and was one Of the American mis-
sion to the Red Cross conference at
Geneva in 1906 He succeeded Rear Ad-
miral C. NJ. Thomas as COMMANDMENTS
chief of the Atlantic battleship fleet dur
ing the last half Of its memOrauie cruise
around the world.
After graduating from the Naval Acad-
envy he was assigned to the I. 8. s.
Sacramento on the China station. The
vessel got along all right until some-
where near the mouth of the Hooghly
river. on the way to Calcutta. when the
ship went ashore in fog at night and
was total wreck. No lives were lost,
but no clothing was saved. Rear Adj
miral Sperry had served on various yes
sells in the navy. including the Kearsarge,
Worcester. Richmond, Quinnebaug. Chi
cago Yorktown. New Orleans, Alabama
and Connecticut.
Duties During War With Spain.
At the beginning Of the war with Spain
he was on duty at the New York navy
yard as ordnance officer. despite his de-
sire for sea duty. He performed much
hard work in arIning vessels purchased
for auxiliary cruisers. He was placed in
command Of the Yorktown in Philippine.
waters in 1898. and directed the move
ments of the landing party on the eastern
shore of LuZon.
The landing party Of the Yorktown
was captured by Aguinaldos men. some
Of them were wounded and all were
taken prisoners. Then began the chase
OF the insurgents and their prisoners
through the length of the island, result
ing In the release of the men at Apparri,
on the northern extremity. From the
Yorktown Rear Admiral Sperry was
In Asiatic waters. When his three years
of sea duty were at an end, in 1905, he
was sent to Newport as president OF the
Naval War College. When the great
at The Hague. Admiral Sperry was de-
ta,hed from the War College and sent
thither as the United States naval repre-
sentative. AS peace commissioner during
the famous International conference, he
rendered admirable service and materially
widened his reputation.
Commands Fourth Division.
At the close OF the arbitration congress
he was ordere. home and placed in COM
mand Of the fourth division OF the At
lantic feet, his flagship being the battle
ship Alabama. When the late Rear Ad-
miral Charles NJ. Thomas hauled down
his flag as commander-in-chief Of the At
lantlc neet at San Francisco, MAY 15
1908. having held that command as the
successor Of Rear Admiral Evans, Rear
Admiral Sperry was given the command
of the feet He took the fleet around the
world and relinquished the command at
Hampton roads to Rear Admiral Seaton
Schroeder in March, 1909. He was offered
the presidency of the Naval War College.
but declined II. indicating his preference
for subordinate duty at Newport. He
was retired for age. September ., 1904.
CARTER DENIES REPORT.
Saws He Will Not and Would Not