The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-08-21

When the battleship Maine was
blown up by a mine in the harbor of
Havana in 1898, Chaplain John Child
wick became a national idol His de-
votion to duty and the fearless man
ner in which he stuck to the Inflated
ship administering the last rites to
the injured and dying still fingers in
the recollections of those Wio~read
the startling accounts of the destruc-
ton of the pride of the United Stares
navy"
One of the last men to leave
the ship, he worked with tireiess en-
ergy, cruising in a cutter among the
wreckage, helping wounded. giving
spiritual and physical succor to the
survivors and then throughout the
following morbid days. spending long
hours helping in the identification of
the bodies and bringing cheer to those
in the hospitals.
His heroism during the destruction
of the ill-fated ship will go down as
a sterling example OF the traditional
bravery OF the American sailor.
The picture of his GOODNESS amid
bursting shells and exploding powder
magazines is burned deep in the mem.
cries of those who were fortunate
enough to come through the catastro-
phe alive, and for all time he will re-
f1ldiIi one ol the IpTtHltSi hsuEeS III
the navy hall of fame.
Born in one of the downtown dis
tricts Of New York in 1854 he obtain
ed his early education in a parochia1
school and then was graduated from
Manhattan college Entering st.
Joseph's seminary at Troy; N. Y, he
studied for the priesthood and was or
dained in 1887. A few weeks later he
was assigned to duty at St Stephens
to-, ,,&x, r.-t-1 1, "a
remained for seven years.
He took an active interest in the
work Of his parish and endeared HIM
self to everyone in the district over
which he held spiritual control. and
when the news of his resignation was
received he was given a remarkable
testimonial by the members of the
parish.
Through the suggestion OF Father
Parks. the first Catholic priest ap-
pointed to the navy. he applied for a
similar post, and in March. 1895, he
was accepted and assigned to this
Maine. He was the third Catholic
priest to enter the naval service of the
country and soon became extremely
popular with both officers and men
of the Maine. which at that time
was one of the newest ships in COM
mission.
wick family. as John B. Chadwick his
father, was on active duty during the
War Between the States. He died just
as Father Chadwick received his COM
mission.
After the sorrowful work of identi-
fcation was completed at Havana.
Chaplain Chadwick came north with
the bodies and officiated at the burial
of the dead seamen In the national
Gem etery at Arlington, Virginia.
Following this he was given leave OF
absence for five months and then pro-
NOTED to the rank of full lieutenant
! Upon his return to duty few weeks
later he was assigned to the L. s. s.
| Cincinnati, where he remained
throughout the Spanish American
war, later being transferred to the
| New York
! He resigned his commission on Sep
TENDER IT, 1903, and returned to New
York city. where for time he as
sisted In his old parish. Later he was
appointed to various other parishes
and in 1906 was appointed police
chaplain on the metropolitan force
by Commissioner Bingham.