FIGHTING BOB EVANS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 122, 15 February 1908, Page 10

FIGHTING 808 EVANS.

The man of the moment in tlio.world of navies (says is ltear-Admiral Robley D. Evans, who is- commanding the American > Atlantic Squadron on its- fateful record cruiso-to the Pacific. Admiral Evans is tho Lord Charles Beresford of the U.S.N. He is just as blunt-, outspoken, and sailor-

like as Lord Charles, and, like him, ho has occasionally run atilt against naval officialdom aud inertia. In appearance,, however,

lie is moro like Goncral Bullcr than Lord Charles. He has > a good record of activo service, as his nickname indicates. Ho served with distinction in the American Civil War, receiving four very severe rifle sliot wounds in tho land attack on Fort Fisher. He gained the name of. Fighting Bob while

in command of the small cruiser Yorktown at Valparaiso, Chili, in 1891, (luring tho period of strained relations between Chili and the United States. Trouble was

threatening Chili owing to some of tho cruiser Baltimore's men having been killed in the streets of Valparaiso by Chilians. The Yorktown came in great haste to augment the United. States' fleet in Chilian wators, and .it was due to tho very, bellicose despatches t' t Evai.s sent to Washington that the name was given to him which has attached to hini ever since. In the Spanish War ho commanded the lowa in. Sampson's fleet off Santiago, taking active part in the battles with Cervera. As one of the Spanish vessels began to go down, Evans's men sent up a great shout of delight. ■ He immediately quieted them all by cxclaimiiig, "Shut up! those brave fellows are dying!" The men:thereupon bared their heads" and watched ■ their enemies sink in silence, while the gallant admiral—who in normal times has a stupendous command ; of vituperativo language—knolt on the deck and offered up a prayer. ; ■ Fighting Bob tells' this-story against himsolf. Ho had a Congressman for a guest, but had run out of' His favourite brand of whisky, and had stroked up with something ho could not guarantee. He explained this, and added, "Here,' however,"is' some brandy that' I'vo kept untouched'for a good deal moro than twenty, years.": "Just hand: nie .over tho whisky, decanter," was tho reply. "Why?"/ said tho Admiral"what's,, the matter with. tho. ;brandy?" ..."That'sjust what I want to; know, Bob,". said the guest, "but if. you- have, had it' untouched in. your possession for,more, than twenty years thcrq must bo something pretty' bad the matter with it!" '. . . Another of Fighting Bob's stories is _ interesting, in. view of tho present relations of the United States and Japan and his momentous 'Pacific, cruiso. It illustrates how . briskly • tho 'Japanese assimilate European ■methods and manners. "When I commanded tho Newv York, some year? ago," says the i Admiral; "I-liad a .Jap; .servant, with whoin '•i'-iwas specially-pleased. He was prompt,/remarkably quick.to learn; and took-such deep 'ititoresfc in ovorything that sometimes, just ;to amuse myself,.l dovoted not a little time to explaining things that he did not seem to understand: A good waiter, too, be was.. Well, finally', l my Jap. disappeared. Some time later, • when' on. 'the European station, I made'a call lon a. "Japanese battleship ill the harbour of Mnrseillfes.The captain met tis ait the* gangway .and .-.escorted us to ibis cabin. •W'hen ,wo were-seated, ho suddenly turned,'-threwi'olf his. hat, -.whipped a napkin over : his arm,\'and" : 'said. to me, 'The Admiral wouldUleat?'i/il^Kato!' I. cried, recognising, hml.timmodiately as v my_ old servant. 'The ho'.'replied, bowing. 'Captain Kato, I'ofvthis' Mikado's navy, at your service.' "