That no reward might be lacking, the office of vice-admiral was specially created for him in December, 1864, and that of admiral in 1866.

He died in 1870.
THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR.
CHAPTER XXX.
The Movement Against Cuba--The Destruction of Cervera's Fleet--Admiral Sampson--Admiral Schley--"Fighting Bob" Evans--Commodore John C.
Watson--Commodore John W.Philip--Lieutenant Commander Richard Wainwright.
Since the war with Spain was undertaken for the liberation of Cuba from the most frightful atrocities that mind can conceive, it was natural that the chief attention of our Government should be directed to the expulsion of the Spaniards from that island.

Neither the Ladrones nor Philippines entered into the question; but, inasmuch as they were valuable possessions of Spain, their conquest was a natural and effective blow against the nation with which we were at war.
In view of what subsequently occurred, we can smile at the general uneasiness and fear which prevailed in this country at the opening of hostilities regarding the fleets of Spain.

She was known to have a formidable navy and a great many believed it was superior to our own.
There was no telling where it would strike the first blow.

Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Washington and other seaboard cities made powerful preparations against the dread fleet, which in truth was no more to be feared than the ferryboats on the North River, and yet but for the preparations referred to it is more than probable we should have suffered.
The most formidable fleet was under the command of Admiral Cervera.