THE VISITING ADMIRALS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 396, 11 June 1908, Page 4

THE VISITING ADMIRALS.

Interesting Particulars. The United Stales Consul-Gen-eral iu Auckland, Mr W. Prickett, has received some interesting particulars regarding the personnel of the admirals in charge of the American fleet.

Unless something unforseen occurs, the fleet will be commanded by Rear-Admiral Charles Stillman' Sperry, one of the most accomplished naval officers of the United States. He is nearly 61 years of age, and graduated at the United States Naval Academy in 1866, and passing through the intermediate grades, became captain in 1900, and rear-admiral in 1906. Admiral Sperry is president of the United States Naval War College, and a member of the National Coast Defence Board. He was a delegate in June, 1906, to the Geneva Conference, which had in consideration the treatment of the sick and wounded, and was also a delegate to the Second Hague Conference in 1907. Plis home is in Waterbary, Conn.

The Chief of Staff is Captain Royal Rodney Ingcrsoil, who is about the same age as Admiral Sperry. He lias served as United States naval officer in all parts of the world, and was commissioned captain iu 1905. He is an author of repute in the science ol gunnery, and has written “A Text Book of Ordnance,” ‘‘ Exterior Ballastics,” and Elastic Strength of Guns.”

One of the divisions of the fleet will be commanded by Hear-Ad-miral Richard Wainright. Admiral Wainright graduated at the United States Naval Academy in 1868. He was the executive officer with the rank of commander on the United States battleship Maine until she was blown up in the harbour of Havanain February, 1898. He commanded the Gloucester in the Spanish-American war, and took part in the destruction of Admiral Cervera’s fleet off Santiago in July, 1898, being advanced ten numbers in rank for conspicuous service in this battle. Another division will be under the command of Rear-Admiral Seaton Schroeder, who was born in 1849 at Washington, D.C. He was appointed to the United States Naval Academy in 1864, and graduated in 1868. After passing the intermediate grades he became captain in 1903, and has been recently appointed rear-admiral. He was advanced three numbers for conspicuous conduct in the war with Spain, and was the prize essayist at the United Stales Naval Institute in 1894. He is the author of “ Fall of Maximilian’s Empire,” and a frequent magazine contributor.