The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-01-04
FIGHTING BOB"
 EVANS HAS FOUGHT
 HIS LAST FIGHT
CONTINUED FROM PAGE U


 airs to the accompaniment of sullen salutes from the Chilean forts ana warshps.
 The years engaged in duty on the con structon Loard which planned the mod ern battieships and cruisers, and in sev- eral long cruises to try out the result Of his brain wcrk on the high seas brought Evans to a commander, at the opening of the Spanish-American war. He wanted battleship and he got one, one of the best, the Iowa, which represented the latest product of the American ship yards. When Cervera's fleet made it's fatal dash through the blockadng ships off Santiago on July 3, 1s9s Captain Evans ship took a notable part in the 50 mile running fghs that followed For hls gal lantry in this action he received the thanks of Congress and was promoted.
 Most Famous Cruise
 As full iedged rear admiral, Evans was called upon to take the Atlantic fleet around the world. and how he was ;e- lected has already been told by former Secretary Metcalf. That brilliant achieve ment the first world cruise of an ar mored fleet of that size and power, fully tested Admiral Evans ability as an or ganizer and commander. All that the public knew was that 16 battleships had made a 900 mile cruise: they could not imagine what that meant to the direct ing mind of the fleet, of the many hours of anxiety spent in boring over charts of harbors and reefs, of planning for sup plies of fuel and food and of keeping to- gether in contented and happy mood the thousands of men who made up the crews of the warships.
 By the time he had reached San Fran cisco, the strain had become SO severe that he was unable to leave his bed and it was necessary to relieve him from tho command at that place.
 Active duty terminated Tor Admiral Evans at that point. Ii is true that he did not go on the retired list until d few months afterwards, but never again was he called upon to direct the movements of ship or a fleet. He retired to hls quaint old fashioned home in this city and surrounded by his family. spent in happi- ness the few remaining days Of his life His leisure gave him opportunity to exc cute his long cherished idea of telling some of his wonderful experiences ana these he had set out in some books which are to be found in the libraries of every American naval vessel and wherever men like to read of gallant exploits on tho sea.
 The funeral will be held Friday, ai- though the exact hour is not yet set. and it Is expected that Admiral Evans will be buried in the National cemetery at Arling- ton with full naval honors.
 Newport. R. l., January 3-News of the death of Rear Admiral Evans was re- celved with sorrow and surprise in naval circles here. officers of all grades spoke lovingly of Fighting Bob as Admiral Evans was well known in Newport, hav- ing been here frequently in the sum mer.
 Lieutenant Commander Frank T. Evans. son of the sea fighter. had been in New port up to this morning, but tonight was believed to be too far at sea for imme- diate notice of his fathers death. He left this morning in command of the torpedo boat Monahan for Guantamo, Cuba, where the Atlantic fleet Is to hold it's win ter rendezvous. Tt is believed here that the flagship Patterson of the destroyer fleet Is the only vessel equipped with wireless and that her apparatus Is not sufficiently high powered to bring her within call of shore stations tonight
 Pittsburg. January 3.-The sudden death of Rear Admiral Evans in Washington today was d decided shock to his sister Mrs. William Patterson, resident of this city She will go to Washington.