A FAMOUS COMMANDER.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5861, 1 May 1897, Page 7

A FAMOUS COMMANDER.

The suicide of Captain Philo M'Giffin, who took such a prominent part, in the Yalu sea fight in the war between China and Japan, is reported by tho New York correspondent of the Argus. He gave up his commission in the United Stales navy, and was made tho fighting commander of the Chinese navy. In the Yalu fight he was the commander of the Chen- Yuen, which -was hit more than four hundred times by the Japanese gunners. Every man on board was wounded, and many were killed, but the Chen- Yuen was still lighting when the battle closed. M'Gifßn was wounded twelve timfcs. His sight was almost destroyed. The drums of both his ears were ruptured by the shock of the discharge of his own guns and the blows of Japanese projectiles upon the. Chen- Yuen's armour. For the remaining j years of his life his sufferings were intense, ! and at last his mind became affected, and | during the temporary absence of hi3 nurse he killed himself with a revolver which had (been hidden under some papers in the ca&hbox. Before taking his life he had written the following note : — " Memo. : Look alive that the bed is not set on fire by my shot. My compliments and adieus to all. I regret that my destination must remain to you unknown, but you may guess. With apologies for the row — it's a way that all guns have."