Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1919-01-24
THE LATE LIEUT.. EVANS
Was One of Most Promising Officers
Navy Has Ever Had Says Writer
in Army and Navy Journal-Prais-
cd BY Army and Navy Register.

ed by Army and Navy he@iste''
The Army and Navy Journal o.
January Is. contains the following &C.
count of regarding the death OF Lieut.
Chaplin Eppes Evans, son OF Capt
and Mrs. George H. Evans. Of this
city. who died in Bridgeport. Conn.
September 80, written by naval Of
ticer.
~ was fortunate indeed while in
command Of the - to have onapl!H
with me. Without exception he was
lust about the most efficient, ioVapie
man. or young Iaar, have seen in the
service. During all the anxious hours
while at sea in the war zone. i'll sub
marine areas, in heavy fog or running
at high speed on dark nights without
lights, ! felt more comfortable, more
secure with Chaplin on the bridge
than frequently with much older ana
more experienced officers. In several
instances, which | recall vividly, he
averted collisions, with probable loss
of life and even ship, by his efficient
and instantaneous action. His modesty
-heerfulness and strength of character
andeared him to all and made him the
most wonderful shipmate and mess
mate man could have. If | could
have been fortunate in being able to
choose nv officers on this vessel, when
she was commissioned, Chaplin would
have heen the first officer asked for.
I think | can easily realize the bio"
his death has brought to you, and
must admit, when | think Of him, 4
pang goes through my heart when
forces ne to realize the loss OF
friend. comrade, shipmate. ana one
Of the most valuable and promising
Young officers the Navy has ever had.
The following account Is from the
Army and Navy Register Of Novem-
Der 80, 1918:
THE death of Lieutenant Chaplin
Eppes Evans, U. S. Navy. which oc-
cured in Bridgeport, Conn, Septem-
Der 80, where he was spending the
week end with the family OF former
was a distinct shock to MS
nanv friends both in and out OF the
service. His striking and magnetic
personality and unfailing courtesy
made him delightful companion ana
1is ideals, loyalty, and devotion to the
service an officer of whom the Navy
,ould we'll be proud. Lieutenant Evans
graduated from Annapolis June, 1916,
md was prominent in both class ana
athletic activities. Upon graduation
20 was assigned to the u. S. destroyer
which was among the lrSt
o 90 overseas upon declaration OF
yor. He was later ordered TO the Z.
5. S. sterett as ordnance Officer, IN
which capacity he served until made
executive of that ship. He received
-hc commcndation Of his commanding
,f,icer for his efficiency as gunnery
,fIicor and was recommended for en-
,cutive duty by Admiral Simms. After
fifteen months of continuous service
40 was ordered back to this Icountry
and riyen TWO weeks leave. He was
hon sent TO New London, Conn, foE
;pecial work before reporting to the
Union Iron Works, Cal, for duty on
the new destroyer Ludlow. Whl.e III
New London he contracted Influenza.
which developed into pneumonia: thus
,,inoinr his career of so much prom
isc and credit TO an untimeiy era.
Lieutenant Evans was the only cn!!d
Of CAPTAIN and Mrs. George Hewitt
Evans. of Alexandria, Va, and was "a
wears old, His funeral which was with
full military honors. was held October
> from St. Paul's Episcopal Church
and was conducted by the Rector, keH.
P. P. Phillips, D. D., assisted by the
Rev. Sidney Key Evans, chaplain OF
the U. S. Naval A:ademy. Lieutenant
Evans was descended from a long line
Of fighting men and men prominent
in the making of the early history OF