Captain Sampson*

Manawatu Herald, 25 June 1898, Page 2

Captain Sampson*

A man in the prime of live, with a splendid record, is commander of the Key West squadron, which sailed, from the now famous Florida statiJfe to commence the war. This is Captain William T. Sampson. He is a slender man of 58 years, somewhat round-shouldered, but fall of activity, derived from his principal recreation of tennis-playing, in which he excels ; a man of mettle and ability, with deep-set, studious eyes, large wide forehead, close cat beard, and a serious agreeable expression. His thoughtful lace and quiet manner proclaim him a student rather than a fighting man. In truth, he is both ; reflective, resolute of undoubted bravery, and quick in deoision. In his native district everyone knows him as "Billy Sampson." Captain Sampson was born on February 9, 1840, at Palmyra, in Wayne, which is one of the counties of New York State that border Lake Ontario. He is a self-made man risen from the humblest oiroum. atanoes by grit and study to the great position that he occupies to-day as a central figure in the first terrible crash of modern battle-ahips. Hid father was only a day labourer in Wayne Country, tramping from one farmhouse to another, earning hia bread in those are day3 by splitting and piling wood and doing other farm work. And young Sampson, by his father's side, tramped and split logs also. An old squire named Southwiok, living in Talmyrd, for whom the Sampsons worked, took an interest in the s-tuJi >«=», enevgetic, and ambitious lad. ' Squire Soutfawick was a friend of Representative E. B. Morgan, wbo sat in Congress for Wayne County, and Mr Morgan po ses-ed the right of nominating a midshipman to tlia United Stataß^ tf.ival Acadfinv.

Thus it came about that young Simpson wai iv 1857 sent; to the Vaval Academy, at Annapolis, where ho donned the uniform of the midshipman. While serving as a lieutenant on the Patapsco he performed the most daring and famous feat of his life. It is a thrilling story, and will be recalled by those who have read that part of the history of the Civil War wherein is described the blockade and blockade^runoing of Charleston Harbour.

On the morning of January 16, 1865, the blockading admiral decided to bring his fleet and reduce Charleston or force it to surrender. But the harbour was strewn with fxplosives, and these must be picked up or destroyed before the fleet could enter. This hazardous duty was. entrusted to Lieutenant Sampson and the Patapsco. She slowly steamed np to Charleston Harbour, and as soon as she was within range of thje fort the Confederate sharp- snoopers opened five. It was a withering shower of bullets, nnd the men on the Patapseo fell before it. Lieutenant Sampson, standing on the moat exposed part of the ship— the bridge - saw hia men dropping one by one around him, bat he himself was not hit.

'' Suddenly the firing ce*?ed, withoat apparent reason, The sharp. • htoters could be seen on sbjare holding their rifle?, but not firing. 4 moment or two elapsed. The little ironclad moved slowly through the water on her mission. The sudden stopping of the fire, perhaps, gave the men on the Patapsco a warning that worse was in store for them, but it was tod late to re. treat, if such a thought entered thje mind of any man. There was an almost dead silence ; then a mighty roar, and the Patapsco shot up into the air, surrounded by great spouts of water. Sheets of flame shot out from her hull ; there was another explosion, and another within her, and she sank slowly in the water." The Patapsco had passed over one of the submarine mines, and hap been blown up. More than seventy of her crew, who had been shut below, met their death, just as the men of the Maine met theirs quite receutly in Havana Harbour. Lieutenant Sampson and twenty-five of the crew who where not killed by the explosion were rescued from the water. <^\ In 1866 the daring and lucfy young officer was made a lieutenantcommander. Since that time he has made steady progress through various distinguished and onerous positions! To naval science he haft

given bis attention assiduously for years. He is said to have a thorough knowledge of all modern armaments and explosive?. — Daily Mail.