Norfolk City Virginia USGenWeb Archives Obituaries.....Whitton, Arthur Mervyn November 19, 1913
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Virginian Pilot and The Norfolk Landmark November 20, 1913

                       DEWEY'S PILOT DIES IN NORFOLK

      Capt. A. M. Whitton Led American Fleet Into Battle Of Manila Bay

Captain Arthur M. Whitton of the United States Naval Auxiliary Service, and 
the hero of the Battle of Manila Bay, died at 1:05 o'clock yesterday 
afternoon at the family residence, 706 Colley Avenue.  Death followed a 
year's illness.  He was 40 years old.
Captain Whitton was the oldest in years of service, but one of the youngest 
masters in age in the United States collier service.  He was born in 
Melbourne, Australia, May 3, 1873, his father, Rev. Merwyn Whitton, being an 
Episcopal minister.
At the outbreak of the Spanish-American War in 1898, Captain Whitton had 
command of the British steamer Zafiro, which was purchased by the United 
States government at Hong Kong.  Being familiar with the waters in the Far 
East and an ambitious young man, Captain Whitton remained in command of the 
Zafiro after she had been changed into an army transport by the government.
During the Battle of Manila Bay Captain Whitton entered the harbor and cut 
the Spanish government's cable.  He also furnished Admiral Dewey, who was in 
charge of the fleet at Manila Bay, maps of the bay and the various shoals 
and dangerous spots in those waters.  Later he piloted the American fleet 
into the bay from the deck of the Zafiro.  The Zafiro led the way in the 
bay, being closely followed by the flagship Olympia and other warships.
At the conclusion of the war Captain Whitton remained in the naval auxiliary 
service and was assigned to the command of the collier Iris.  He later had 
charge of the Arethusa, Orion and the big collier Jason.  He relinquished 
charge of the Jason on October 13, after he had brought that vessel back 
from the United States fleet in Mexican waters.
Captain Whitton had been a resident of Norfolk during the past three and a 
half years.  He is survived by his wife and two small children, Bessie and 
Arthur Whitton.  He was a member of Atlantic Lodge of Masons, Grice 
Commandery, Knights Templar, and also a Shriner.  An emergent conclave of 
Grice Commandery has been called to meet in Masonic Temple at 3 o'clock this 
afternoon to pay the last tributes to Captain Whitton.  The knights will be 
clothed in the full dress of a Templar on foot.
The funeral will be held at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, West Graydon 
Avenue, at 4 o'clock this afternoon.  Services will be conducted by Rev. 
Myron B. Marshall, rector of the church.  Masonic services will be conducted 
at the grave in Elmwood Cemetery.
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                     WHITTON'S BODY IS LAID TO REST

        Funeral Of Manila Bay Hero Attended By Large Body Of Citizens

With the impressive ceremonies of the Knights Templar and Masons, and 
patriotic airs by the Navy post band, the body of Captain Arthur M. Whitton, 
late of the United States Navy Auxiliary Service and hero of Manila Bay, was 
laid to rest in Elmwood Cemetery, in the Masonic lot at 4:30 o'clock 
yesterday afternoon.  The grave was banked with flowers, the tribute of many 
personal friends and expression of respect and admiration of the dauntless 
courage marking Captain Whitton's service to the country.
The funeral was from St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, Rev. Myron B. Marshall 
conducting the services.  Grice Commandery, Knights Templar, and Atlantic 
Lodge of Masons attended in a body.
The pallbearers were: Grice Commandery, John Walters and C.W. Hatch; 
Atlantic Lodge, Masons, Pay Director W.W. Galt, U.S.N.; James E. Wright, 
J.D. Levy and H. Brown.  The funeral and interment were largely attended.

Virginian Pilot and The Norfolk Landmark November 21, 1913




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