316 CHARLES HENRY DAVIS. 



very favorable to the development of a school of mathematicians. 

 Besides men like Peiice and Walker, who had attained eminence 

 before becoming connected with his office, the names of President 

 Runkle, Professors VVinlock and Newcorab, Chauncey Wright, and 

 William P"'errel, may be cited as representatives of the men who 

 were first brouirht out throu";h their connection with the Nautical 

 Almanac." 



In 1854, Davis attained the rank of commander; and, in 1857, he 

 published an English translation of Gauss's "Theoria Motils Corporum 

 Ccelestium." The period of his superintendency of the almanac was 

 interrupted by a three years' cruise in the Pacific Ocean. This cruise 

 was signalized by a striking exhibition of the decision of character 

 and willingness to assume responsibility for which he was ever noted 

 in the service, in his acceptance, in the name of the United States, of 

 the surrender of Walker in Nicaragua, — a step which saved many 

 lives, and prevented serious complications, and which Davis took with- 

 out any explicit instructions from the commander-in-chief of the 

 squadron. 



In 1861, soon after the outbreak of the civil war, Davis was made 

 a member of a board of officers assembled at Washington to inquire 

 into and report upon the condition of the Southern coast, with a view 

 to oifeusive operations on the part of the United States. This 

 inquiry led to the organization of the squadron which was placed 

 under the command of Flag-Officer Du[)ont, and of which Davis was 

 appointed fleet-captain and chief-of-staff, and to the capture of Port 

 Royal, — the first brilliant naval achievement of the war. Davis was 

 prominently engaged in both the planning and the execution of this 

 magnificent action ; in which two strong forts, splendidly manned, and 

 mounting forty-three guns, nearly all of heavy calibre, yielded in four 

 hours to an attack as beautiful as it was able, and one of the largest 

 and noblest harbors of the South, — indeed, one of the finest in the 

 world, — with all the surrounding country, fell into the hands of the 

 Federal Government. In Flag-Officer Dupont's official report of 

 11th November, 1861, he says of Commander Davis : " In the organiza- 

 tion of our large fleet before sailing, and in the preparation and system- 

 atic arrangement of the details of our contemplateil work, — in short, 

 in all the duties pertaining to the flag-officer, — I received his most 

 valuable assistance. He possesses the rare quality of being a man of 

 science and a practical officer, keeping the love of science subordinate 

 to the regular duties of his profession. During the action, he watched 

 over the movements of the fleet, kept the official minutes, and evinced 



