Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-01-16

gress in 1905, but as no midshipman
rated sword in those days. he was
presented with dirk such Is the jul
Nor officers of the British navy wore.
The dirk presented to Trenchard on
this occasion is among the relics. 1t is
very fine one of English type, with
an ivory and gold handle, and an
etched gold sheath.
Record of His Service.
1897. and the commission issued to him
at that time. bearing the signature of
Thomas jefferson. is exhibited in the
case. 4 little later. after serving on
the Constellation and the Constitution.
he was made executive officer in the
New York navy yard. and in 1872 su
perintended the construction of the
efoop of war Madison. which he sue
ceeded in completing in record time.
During the war of 1S12-14 he was in
command of the Oneida and the Madi-
son in several engagements. He rem
dsred meritorious services in the block
ade of Kingston and other operations,
and was again rewarded by Congress
in 1914. The sword and scabbard pre-
scented to him at this time. and his
commission as captain. dated March 5,
1877. and signed by James Monroe, are
also to be seen in the collection. He
was in command of the John Adams in
OF Algiers. Tripoli and Tunis. which
resulted in the suppression of the pir-
acy then in progress.
One of the most interesting relics is
the manuscript journal kept by Capt.
Trenchard when in command of the
sloop Cyane during a cruise on the
west coast of Africa, between the years
1S19-21 for the suppression of the
slave trade. Soma of his notes read
like stories of Robertson and Steven
70 ha -nrl Inv
those two years was fraught with con-
siderable excitement and danger. A
water-color map of one of his stations
on the coast. drawn by himself. and
his book plate which he designed re-
call his early days spent with a view
toward art. and lend a different touch
to the otherwise martial display of
relics.
In Uniform Of Captain.
There is also a reproduction of a
miniature of this distinguished officer
in the uniform of captain. painted
about 1918. He was relieved from his
African cruise in 1921 and ordered
home. The last few years of his life
were spent as post captain in the New
York yard. He received the brevet
rank of commodore. an exceptional
honor. since at that time the rank of
captain was the highest in the service.
Capt. Edward Trenchard's son, who
was named Stephen Decatur Trenchard.
after the captains friend. had even a
more interesting career than his IA
Their, who died at the age of forty
years, after twentyfour years service.
Stephen Decatur Trenchard was born
In Brooklyn. y. T., in 1918. He was
appointed midshipman in 1884, after
ma King cruise as acting midshipman
kc the European squadron in 1892,
-~ten only fourteen years of age.
h.
Philadelphia for year or two. Be
tween the years ls4?-46 he was assigned
10, coast survey duty on the Washing
ton, and when il was wrecked off the
coast Of North Carolina he was one
OF the few saved. The next year he
was made lieutenant, and served on
the Saratoga in Mexico. On August IA,
1856, while again serving on coast sur
vey work, he rendered prompt and eff
hclent service in the rescue of the
British bark Adieu. wrecked off Glouces-
ter. Mass. saving all hands and the
entire cargo. for which he was pre-
scented with beautifully decorated
sword by the British government and
gold watch by the underwriters of
the bark. The watch and sword are
both on exhibition; the latter is a large
beautifully etched weapon in sheath
decorated in gold filigree over blue
velvet, with a gold sword knot.
Journal of Cruise to China.
The manuscript journal OF the cruise
20 China and Japan on the L. S. S. Pow
hatan in 1s51-s0. kept by Flag
Lieut.. Trenchard. which is in the col
lection. relates OF the experiences on
that diplomatic cruise in Asiatic wa
tiers. He was with Commander Josiah
Tattnall when he made his famous
statement. Blood is thicker than wa
ter" cleared his ship for action and
went to the aid of the British admiral.
With the opening of the civil war
Trenchard was put in command of the
Keystone State, which arrived at Nor
folk just as the navy yard was burn
ing and assisted in saving some of the
government property. He was after
ward in command of the Rhode Island
a supply and dispatch ship, which was
later converted into a heavily armed
cruiser. II was this ship which was
towing the Monitor when she foundered
CT Cape Hatteras, and it was through
the efforts of Capt Trenchard's officers
and men that the majority of the Mont
tors crew was saved. Still in COM
nland of the Rhode Island. Trenchard
crOised with the West Indian squadron
and the north Atlantic squadron. cap
turing several valuable prizes and Con-
federate ships He also was present at
both bombardments of Fort Fisher
Signed by President Lincoln.