Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1912-01-04
FIGHTING BOB Is DEAD.
Rear Admiral RobIey D. Evans Passes
Away After Few Hours Illness
A Noted Career.
LAC vesterdav afternoon Rear.Ad

Late yesterday afternoon Rear-Ad
miral Evans died at his home in
Washington after a few hours illness.
| Death was due to acute indigestion.
Robley Dunglison Evans. rear-ad.
miral of the United States Navy, com
monty called Fighting Bob, was born
in Floyd county, Virginia, August IS,
ls46. His first naval experience
was gained during the Civil War.
He participated in both attacks on
Fort Fisher, N. C.
During the latter attack he re-
ceived four severe rifle shot wounds.
He was made lieutenant, 1866, and
served as lighthouse inspector, 1926.
When in command of the York
town at Valparaiso, Chill, 1891, dur
ing the period of strained relations
between Chilli and the United States,
his vigorous conduct in connection
with various incidents earned him his
popular name of Fighting Bob.
In the war with Spain he command
ed the Iowa in SIMPSONS fleet off
Santiago, taking an active part in
the battle with Cervera's fleet. He
was advanced TO the rank of rear-ad-
miral, February IL, 1901. He was
appoi nted mmander-in-chief Of the
Asiatic Station, l902-4.
Admiral Evans commanded the
Atlantic fleet, which made tour Of
the world, 19O7-s. He retired from
the Navy, August Is, 1908.
Admiral Evans was for several
years an instructor in seamanshp in
the Naval Academy Many Of the
younger officers of the Navy were un-
der his tutelage at that institution
and upon practice cruises. While he
was always strict and often sarcastic
in his remarks to the youngsters, he
was at the same time jealous to make
good officers out Of them.
An officer who was midship-
man under Evans says that one day
at seamanship drill he, as a royal
yardsman, made an error in sending
down yards. Evans, from the quar-
terdeck, ordered him to clay down
from aloft and comb the hayseed out
of his hair. 1T was pretty Sc
we're rebuke," said the officer. "He
thought that his rebuke would do
the work, and ! am happy to say
that it did"
While commanding the Yorktown
at Valparaiso, she became the ASYLUM
of several political refugees who were
wanted by the Chilian authorities. A
demand was made for them and re-
fused Then the Chilians induced
the commander of one of the European
ships to inform Captain Evans that
unless the refugees were surrendered,
three Chilian cruisers would follow
the yorktown to sea and secure them
forcibly If necessary.
Captain Evans consulted with the
refugees, telling them if they wished
to remain he would defend them while
his ship was ahoat. They decided to
remain. Captain Evans informed the
messenger of the decision. adding
this characteristic postscript: 'Sav
to the officer commanding the Chilian
squadron that while my little ship
might not last more than 80 minutes
it will make hi of lot of trouble
while it is ahoat." Next dav the
Yorktown, cleared for action, steamed
out Of the harbor, with the refugees
on board, but the Chilian cruisers did
not follow.
Admiral Evans profanity was pro-
verbal and picturesque. While at
Valparaiso he is said to haveinformed
the town authorities that if his sail
ors were molested he would "make
hi smell of garlic" In discussing
the Chilian embroglio later with Sec
retary Herbert he said it would please
him greatly to "make Spanish the
official language in HI for the next
| FIVE years.