New Britain herald., 1914-08-07
CAPT. CLARK, US. N.,
 EXPIRES SUDDENLY
Famous Sea Fighter Was Father
 Of Dr. K. N. Clark.
FOUGHT UNDER ADMIRAL FARRACUT
Served Brilliantly During Civil War Cast Into Lbbey Prison-In Revenue Cutter Service-Retired At Sixty-Four-Life History.

At Sixty-Four-Life History. By the sudden death at his sum- mer home at Vineyardhaven, Mass, of Captain Robert M. Clark, U. S. N. retired, father of Dr. Robert M. Clark. of this city, the venerable veterans of the great civil strife | which shook the foundations of this nation during the dark days of 1861 to 1863 have lost one of their most brilliant and able fighters. Captain 1 Clark's career was one of the most noteworthy of any of Uncle Sans S sea fighters and he was known from Maine to California, as we'll as i'll many foreign ports, both in Europe 1 and in the Orient. His naval career 1 reads like a page from a thrilling 1 war novel. Entering into the service 1 of the United States Volunteer Naval l service at the outbreak of the civil war he rapidly gained prominence by | his clever work; was awarded several l promotions; was with Admiral Farra-
 
 1 the south; took part in the famous | battle of Port Hudson, on the Miss issippi River; was subsequently, cap- tured by the Confederates and cast 1 into terrible Libbey Prison; was a victim of narrowing shipwreck, and survived them all to die at the ripe old age of seventy-five years. He will be buried at the town of his birth place MiddletOwn Conn
 Death Comes Suddenly. Captain Clark's death will come as l a great shock to his many friends all over the country. While he had never fully recovered from a severe sickness he suffered three years ago his con- dition was not regarded as grave and he has been in his usual health for d couple of years. During the present summer he has been entertaining his little grandchild, the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Clark, of Walnut street, at his summer home at Vineyardhaven, Mass. A few days ago Dr. Clark de- cided to pay his father a visit and at the same time bring his daughter home. The first intimation of any illness came yesterday when Mrs. Clark received a telegram from her husband stating that his father had died suddenly. It is thought that heart trouble was the cause of death.
 Born Seventy-Fivc Years Ago.
 It was on July 3, 1886 that Captain Clark was born in Middletown, Conn. His father was a sailor and Captain Clark's boyhood days were spent with his father on the latter's coastal schooner It was during this period
 >r% of navigation and seamanship that made him famous during his later life.
 Joins Volunteer Navy.
 When the Civil war broke out young Clark, like thousands of other pa triotic young men, decided to give his services to the cause of the north, which he thought to be the just one. Accordingly, when the United States Volunteer Navy was organized he en- listed as an ensign and became one of the best known characters of the war.
 In Famous Battle.
 In many of the great battles which took place in southern waters Ensign Clark took a conspicuous part and be- cause of his bravery and likable per scnality he was beloved by his su- periors and by those under him. He saw much service along the Mississip- pi river. taking part in many of the engagements there, notably in the battle of Port Hudson, which took place on the river just below Eicks burg.
 Served Under Farragut.
 He also served under Admiral Far ra gut, the most famous naval com r'ander that the Union had. and it was one of Captain Clark's most pleasant "reminiscences to tell of the triumph ant entry into Mobile bay and also of the stirring times at Baton Rouge. Later Ensign Clark became a prisoner of war and was thrown into the infa- nous Libbey prison. Here he was ircarcerated for long time and even ir his later years it was with gen uine anguish that he would tell of the terrible sufferings which he witnessed there and also underwent himself.
 Enters Cutter Service.
 At the conclusion of the civil war Ensign Clark was honorably dis 1 charged from the volunteer navy and i was rewarded by being appointed a 1 lieutenant in the United States reve- | nue cutter service. This life he fol- 1 lowed for many years and travelled all ! over the world, being stationed off, 1 cially at China at one time. At the | age of sixty-four years he was retired i from active service and since that time has led the life of d retired na- val captain. His summers he spent at his Nineyardhaven residence, and | his winters he spent at his home at Orlando. Fla. It was Captain Clark's custom to make semiannual visits to the town of his nativity and also to l this city where he was the guest of lis son. Both in Middletown and this city he was we'll known and his semi | arnnal visits were n alWaNS ant icina ed 1