Robley D. Evans, known everywhere as “Fighting Bob,” was born in Virginia in 1846.  When his father died he made his home with his uncle in Washington, D.C., where he attended Gonzaga College.  In 1859 a Congressional Representative from Utah appointed him to the Naval Academy.  It was necessary for the boy to take up a nominal residence in that distant territory, and on the journey thither and back he encountered many personal dangers through all of which he conducted himself with the pluck and bravery which afterward distinguished him in the service of his country.  He entered the academy in 1860 and upon his graduation became a midshipman and ensign, first on the frigate Powhatan, and before he had attained his majority took part in the desperate assault on Fort Fisher.  He was stretched on the ground, dreadfully wounded and with so many dead men piled upon him that he barely escaped suffocation.  He was wounded twice in the body and shot through both legs.  It seemed scarcely possible for him to live, and he lay in the hospital for months.  But when a surgeon prepared to amputate one of his legs Evans, who had managed to procure a revolver, warned him that upon his first attempt to do so he would shoot him.  The leg was saved, but Evans was lamed for life.

[Illustration:  CAPTAIN ROBLEY D. EVANS, OF THE “IOWA.”]

As soon as he was able to get about he applied for active service and his application was granted.  He was engaged in various duties and in October, 1891, he arrived in command of the Yorktown at Valparaiso, directly after the attack of a mob of Chilians upon the sailors of the Baltimore.  When some of the refugees fled for safety to the Yorktown and the Chilians demanded their surrender “Fighting Bob” replied that he would defend them until the Yorktown went to the bottom.  Some time later the captain’s launch was stoned, for the Chilians hated the Americans as intensely as did the Spaniards.  Captain Evans placed a rapid fire gun in the bow of the launch, filled her with armed men and went ashore.  Hunting out the authorities, he notified them that if any more stones were thrown at his launch he would make life a burden for every Chilian within reach of the Yorktown’s guns.  The launch was not stoned again.

It is a mistaken though general impression of “Fighting Bob” that he is simply a headlong and reckless fighter.  Such is far from being the case, for he is deliberate, thoughtful and tactful.  He is a fine scholar, possesses a thorough knowledge of international law and is simply resolute in protecting the rights of himself and countrymen.  This was proven by his conduct when in charge of the American fleet in the Bering Sea, placed there to prevent the illegal killing of seals.  There was a good deal of friction at that time between this country and England and had Captain Evans been the reckless “scrapper” that many supposed he could not have failed to involve