The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1922-10-13
CLARK OF THE OREGON.
New York Times)

Like George Dewey, Rear Admiral
Charles E Clark, who died in Callforhla
on Sunday, was a native of Vermont II
is a State that has it's naval annals Oh
hard-fought battles with the BRUSH on
the inland sea of Lake Champlhlh'
clark was born on the other side OF the
Green Mountains, at Bradford, where
life is like the placid flow of the Con
necticut. on whose western bank it
stands. with it's church steeples rising
from groves of elms and naples. Mont
heller. most rural of capitals, of which
it is said that the cows grazing on hleh
nastrres look in at the State House VIM
dows, claims George Dewey. Nelther
seems to have had any call TO the
sea. Dewey was of half mind to seek
an appointment as cadet at west
Point, But both of these Vermont laus
received their baptism of fire IN the
| Civil War-Dewey with Farragut at
New Orleans and Port Hudson, Clark
in the battle of Mobile Bay; and poth
| nroved themselves of heroic mold in the
war with Spain. Dewey making history
| at Manila and Clark taking the oregon
under forced draught from the Paclnc
| Coast round Cape Horn to the Carp
bean in time to play distinguished
part in the battle of Santiago.
When Clark's name rs mentioned.
is usually in association with the ram
Gus VOYAGE of the Oregon. but no Cap
tain of a battleship had more to 90 with
the sinking and driving ashore the
ships of Cervera's squadron IN the
fight off Santiago on July 3. 1898 thah
the man who had brought the oregon
in a hurry from San Francisco. she
was the only big ship that had ful
steam up when the Spaniards came out
to risk the run for Havana, Clark was
always looking ahead, always prepared
and ready. The Oregons boilers were
not used for condensing. and were mus
saved from scale, in the long voyage
TO the Caribbean, the crew putting UP
with short allowances of water. WIFI
ing about the success of this plan' AL
niral Clark once said that he called MS
men together and explained "Whal coulu
be done if humanity was sacrlhced loI
machinery" There was not a conf
plaint cor. indeed, rueful expression
, while the oregon was pounding through
: the surges to join Sampson "a happier
crow never sailed the sea-" said then
commander. The men were willing to
mt I'm with privation for the sake OF
a leader whose discipline was always
i tempered with kindness.
t When the oregon reached Rio de jan
= Giro. 1.-THE Navy Department sa"
Clark. ~cabled me that in an emery
ency-meaning the approach OF 'he
a enemy's fleet-I could remain there
e under the plea of damaged machinery
h But Clark was soon out OF Rlo' steer
ing north. to take his chance with th'
Standards. Of the departments sue
: gestion he said with tinge OF irony
: "this was consderate, but IL threw
t the responsibility upon me for turthel
: advance Steaming into Jupiter Inlet
he replied to an inquiry from sampson
whether he could make thirteen knot'
L TO ioin the fleet: Eyes, fourteen'
d necessary" And when the morning
e the battle dawned Clark was the readl
est of all. In the running nght TN
Oregon quickly closed with the enemy
y SET the Oduendo on fire with shell
e riddled the viscaya until she was
% flames and beached at Assaderos. an
shared with the Brooklyn the credit
driving the crippled Colon ashore
70 Clark covered himself with glory ina
E day. He was never sufficiently reward
Is ed. He would ask nothing for himsei1
e hut his friends proposed that he
made a Vice Admiral. Congress declin
10 cd even to make him a senior Rear 40
c. miral. He was advanced six number
IL in grade flour of which were quick
- lostl. and later the benefit Of additions
~ Numbers was given him. Clark wa
u too modest. to speak for himseI' an
ne he bad no taste for notoriety. To tn
in end Of his days he had troops