A Fighter's End.

Manawatu Herald, 24 July 1897, Page 3

A Fighter's End.

■■ ♦ '- - - A New York correspondent writes, Captain Philo M'Giffin, the hero of the Yalu sea-fight in the war between China and Japan shot himself a few days ago in a hospital here to escape the physical and mental torture which he had suffered since that memorable naval battle. This man was born 84 years ago in a quiet agricultural town in the State of Pennsylvania, far from the seaboard, but at the age of 19 he was graduated from our Naval Academy. Service in the American navy was too peaceful for him. Not long before the beginning of the war in which he afterwards was so prominent an actor he gave up his commission here, and betook himself to China, where, it is narrated, he forced his way through the guards at the Viceroy s palace in order that he might without delay sac Li Hnng Chang face to face, and press his claims for employment. The Viceroy made M'Giffin the fighting commander of his navy, and sent the young American to Europe to superintend there the construction of four battleships. .After his return M'Giffin organised a .naval academy in China. In the Yalu fight he was the commander of the Chen- Yuen, Which was bit more than 400 times by the Japanese gunners. Every man on board was wounded, and many were killed, but the Chen* Yuen was still fighting when the battle closed. M'Giffin was wounded twelve times. His sight was almost destroyed. The drums of both ears were ruptured by the shock of the discharge of his own guns and the blows of Japanese projectiles upon the Cben-Zaen's armour. For the remaining years of hre life his sufferings were intense, and at last his mind became affected, but he was recovering at the time when the temporary absence of his nurse gave him an opportunity to kill himself with a revolver which had been hidden under some papers in his cash-box. He had called for the box, and the presence of the weapon in it was not suspected. He was accustomed to say that he was not in good standing in the Chinese navy, because be' had refused to oommit suicide after defeat. Before liking his life he had written the following note : — " Memo. — Look alive that the bed is not set on fire by my ahot. My compliments and adieus to all. I regret that my destination must remain to you unknown, but you may guess. With Apologies for the row— it's a way that all guns have." So was ended the life of this " born fighter," after two years and a half of misery.