Sampson
WILLIAM THOMAS, an American nayal officer; born in Palmyra, N. Y., Feb. 9, 1840. He attended the public schools of his native town, and in 1857 entered the United States Naval Academy, from which he was graduated in 1861, and was assigned to duty on the frigate "Po he was appointed executive officer of the the practice ship "John Adams." In 1864 was promoted lieutenant and assigned to frigate "
Potomac." On July 16, 1862, he in 1861, and was assigned to duty on the Academy, from which he was graduated "
Potomac." On July 16, 1862, he the practice ship he was appointed executive officer of the ironclad "Patapsco," of the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron, and which was blown up in Charleston harbor Jan. 15, 1865, while he was on board. After serving on the frigate "Colorado," of the European squadron, he was promoted ing on the frigate "Colorado," of the 1865, while he was on board. After serv- blown up in Charleston harbor Jan. 15, tic Blockading Squadron, and which was ironclad "Patapsco," of the South Atlanlieutenant-commander July 25, 1866; commander Aug. 9, 1874; and captain, March lieutenant-commander July 25, 1866; com- 26, 1889. Subsequently he was superintendent of the United States Naval Academy; a member of the International Prime Meridian and Time Conference; superintendent of the Torpedo Station; member other defenses; chief of the Bureau of ber of a board on fortifications and member of a board on fortifications and superintendent of the Torpedo Station; Prime Meridian and Time Conference; emy; a member of the International tendent of the United States Naval Acad- Naval Observatory; a delegate from the United States to the International Maritime Conference in Washington; and president of the Board of Inquiry on the "Maine" disaster. On March 24, 1898, he was appointed commander of the North Atlantic squadron, succeeding Rear-Admiral Sicard, with the rank of rear-mander of the Boston navy yard on Oct. admiral. On June 1 he joined Commodore Winfield S. Schley, commander of the "Flying Squadron," off S and took command of the combined squadrons, which included 16 warship it was known that the Spanish fleet under Santiago de Cuba, command of Admiral Cervera was blockaded in the harbor of Santiago, Admiral warships . When fleet with the "New York," having gone Admiral Sampson was absent from the to Siboney for a conference with General Shafter. The "New York" turned back and rejoined the fleet, arriving just in time to participate in the last engagement, which had thus been fought modore Schley as second in command.
Admiral Sampson was promoted rearadmiral on Aug. 12, 1898; appointed comght by Com- ADMIRAL WILLIAM THOMAS SAMPSON 14, 1899; and was relieved of this command, owing to ill health, Oct. 1, 1901. retired, and he died the same year.
On Feb. 9, 1902, Admiral Admiral Sampson was noah, of the tribe of Dan. He was en Admiral Sampson was promoted rear- modore Schley as second in command.