The WashingtonEvening Star

April 04, 1902

COMMANDER SCHUETZE DEAD.

Succumbed to an Attack of Stomach and Lung Troubles.

Lieutenant Commander William H. Schuetze of the navy died at the Naval Hospital in this city at 2 o'clock this morning of a complication of acute stomach and lung troubles.

His death ends one of the most creditable and interesting careers of the naval service. He was appointed to the Naval Academy from Missouri, and graduated at the head of his class in 1867. He was selected to go on the expedition which went into the Lena Delta, and brought back the bodies of those who died in the famous Arctic expedition of De Long in the ill-fated Jeannette.

He spoke Russian fluently, and in 1882 was sent again to the far north, at the instance of the State Department, to distribute presents among the natives of northern Siberia in return for their kindnesses to the De Long party.

Commander Schuetze was a man of high attainments, unusually well equipped for the scientific branches of the naval service, and was an expert in compass work, bringing that instrument to a high state of perfection for the navy. He was the navigator of the Iowa during the Spanish-American war and took part in the battle of Santiago. His last duty was in charge of the compass division of the bureau of equipment.

Commander Schuetz was appointed superintendent of compass in 1888, and from 1899 to 1890 served with the famous “White Squadron” on the Chicago.

Commander Schuetze was a man of splendid physique, being one of the largest and strongest officers in the service. His death comes as a great surprise and shock to his acquaintances in and out of the service, among whom he was very popular. His relatives reside in St. Louis.

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Commander Schuetze Dead, The WashingtonEvening Star, April 04, 1902. (PDF)