Norwich bulletin., 1917-01-17
Admiral Dewey
is Dead at 80.
CLOSE OF LIFE OF HONORABLE
ACHIEVEMENTS
HERO OF MANILA BAY
News of His Death Was Flashed by
Wireless to American Naval ves-
sells and Stations All Over the
World.


Dewey, the nations Spanish war hero
and by priority of grade the ranking
naval officer of the world, died at his
home here tonight in his eightieth
since yesterday. when he lapsed into
comas still believing that in a few
days he would be back at his desk
in the navy department.
A General Breakdown.
a general breakdown accompanied
by arterio sclerosis incident to old
age was the cause of death. The dis
ease had been gradually spreading
its hold upon the powerful body for
a year and a half, but the admiral l.
proud of his physical vigor, had
fought it off and even kept it's ex-
istence a secret from most of his in
innate friends. Last Wednesday he
was at his office apparently hale and
hearty The next day he collapsed
as he was preparing to leave the
house and the beginning of the end
was at hand.
Wife and Son at Bedside.
Mrs. Dewey and the admirars only
son, George, were at the bedside to-
night. Tney had known since yes
terday there was no hope
The admiral died at 5.56 o'clock
President Wilson and Secretary
Daniels were notified at once and the
news was flashed by wireless to the
American naval vessels and stations
ried orders that all flags be half
masted.
Funeral Probably Saturday.
The president will confer tomorrow
with Secretary Daniels and Rear Ad-
miraI Badger and arrange Tor the
funeral, which probably will take
place Saturday. The body will be
terry on the Virginia shore of Potomac C
river where many of Admiral Dew
ey'S former comrades have been laid
to rest before him.
Third Man to Hold Rank.
Only two other men, Farragut and
Porter, have held the rank of the ad-
mirai of the American navy and
since Civil war days no military -tig-
ure has held such a place as Dewey
in the affection and admiration or the
American people. His death ended
81 years of active service. His bap-
tism of fire came in the Civil war,
through which he served with dis
tinction. Promotion followed promo
he was a commodore commanding the
Asiatic fleet when the orders Capture
or destroy the enemy's fleet gave
him the first news of hoStllitieS with
Spain and sent him into Manila Bay
for the feat that won undying fame
and had far-reaching effect upon the
position of the United States as a
world power.
Was President of General Board.
Immediately Dewey was advanced
to rear admiral and then congress by
special act made him admiral of the
navy, a grade that died with him.
Since 1900 he had been on duty at
the navy department as president of
the general board. constantly in touch
with all activities of the navy, ad-
visor of secretaries and a mighty
champion of a greater fleet. Year af-
ter year the general board urged the
building of more ships than congress
would agree to, until at the last ses-
sion great building programme
based upon its recommendations H.
nally was adopted
1t was because of the admiraPs
keen aversion to any suggestion that
his health and strength were failing
that naval physicians attending MIN
agreed with the family to make no
announcement of his condition after
the attack Thursday. 1t was given
out that the admiral had a cold and
until Sunday even the doctors hoped
terday. his condition had become so
serious that the facts no longer could
be withheld.
President Wilson's Tribute.
When news of the admiraPs death
was received at the White House,
President Wilson authorized the fol-
lowing statement:
'In expressing his grief at the
death of Admiral Dewey. the presi-
dent said the whole nation will mourn
the loss of it's most distinguished ma
val officer, a man who has been as
cessful in the performance of his re-
sponsfb1e duties in time of peace as
he was gallant and successful in time
of war. 1t is just such men that
give the service distinction and the
Continued on Page Three, 5th coI.)