One-Drous Chapters

The Passing of Spain

Commodore Winfield Scott Schley

by JB Crabtree, 1898



The face of Winfield Scott Schley is almost as familiar to our readers as that of Admiral Dewey. He is a descendant of a well known Maryland family and was born at Frederick, Maryland, October 9, 1839. He entered the naval academy at Annapolis and was made acting midshipman in 1856. He served with Farragut in the Mississippi river and about Port Hudson, took part in several skirmishes and assisted in cutting out from under heavy fire two supply schooners of the Confederates.

He was made Lieutenant July 16, 1862, only two years after leaving the naval academy. Later he served in the Pacific squadron as the executive officer of the "Wateree," suppressed an insurrection among the Chinese coolies in the Chincha Islands.

During a revolution in San Salvador, he landed to protect the custom house and the United States Consulate. In 1869 he was appointed to the "Benicia" and served with her in the Asiatic station until 1872, taking part in the attack upon the forts upon the Salee river in Korea, where Lieutenant Hugh McKee was killed. In 1874 he was made a Commander.

When the necessity of relief for the Greely expedition became apparent in 1884 he was placed in command of it, and June 22d, rescued Lieutenant Greely and six men at Cape Sabine. He found them almost at the point of death; a few hours more and he would have been too late.

In recognition of his services in this respect President Arthur appointed him Chief of the Bureau of Equipment where he served until 1888 when he was reappointed to the same office by President Cleveland. He was made Captain March 3, 1888.

Upon leaving the bureau he was given the "Baltimore," and in that vessel carried back to Stockholm, Sweden, the remains of the distinguished John Ericsson, famous for his building of the "Monitor." The "Baltimore" was assigned to duty on the Pacific squadron and was under his command when some of his crew were assaulted and killed by a mob at Valparaiso, Chile, 1891.

He is a very popular officer in the service and has received two gold medals from his native State, Maryland, and a gold watch for his services in. the expedition which saved Lieutenant Greely.

His distinguished services during the present war have made his name and face familiar to our readers.

Admiral George Dewey
Commodore Winfield Scott Schley
Admiral William T. Sampson
Captain Alfred Thayer Mahan
US Navy Pay Rates and Prize Money

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