Sampson

Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)

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 Potomac." On July 16, 1862, he frigate "Po " was promoted lieutenant and assigned to 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 lieutenant-commander July 25, 1866; commander Aug. 9, 1874; and captain, March 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; of a board on fortifications and member ber other defenses; chief of the Bureau of Naval Ordnance; superintendent of the 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-Adadmiral. On June 1 he joined Commodore Winfield S. Schley, commander of the "Flying Squadron," off S Santiago de Cuba, and took command of the combined squad- . When rons, which included 16 warship warships it was known that the Spanish fleet under command of Admiral Cervera was blockaded in the harbor of Santiago, Admiral Sampson prepared a plan of operations for his fleet, to check any attempt at escape that Cervera might make. In assigning places for his different ships, he stationed the "New York," his own flagship, and the "Brooklyn," on which Commodore Schley was serving, on the two flanks, as these were the fastest ships in the fleet. When the Spanish vessels made their dash out of Santiago harbor, ADMIRAL WILLIAM THOMAS SAMPSON Admiral Sampson was absent from the fleet with the "New York," having gone 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, by Comwhich had thus been fought ght modore Schley as second in command. Admiral Sampson was promoted rearadmiral on Aug. 12, 1898; appointed commiral Sicard, with the rank of rear-mander of the Boston navy yard on Oct. 14, 1899; and was relieved of this command, owing to ill health, Oct. 1, 1901. On Feb. 9, 1902, Admiral Admiral Sampson was retired, and he died the same year.