Since 1900, he had been on duty at the Navy Department. President of the general board, constantly in touch with all activities of the navy, adviser of secretaries and mighty champion of a greater fleet. Year after year, the general board urged the building of more ships than Congress would agree to, until at the last session, a great building program, based upon us recommendations, was adopted. It was because of the admiral's keen aversion to any suggestion that his health and strength were failing that the naval physicians attending him agreed with the family to make no announcement of his condition after the attack on Thursday. It was given out that the admiral had a cold, and until Sunday even the doctors hoped that he might master the disease. Yesterday his condition had become so serious that the lads no longer could be withheld.

When news of the admiral's death was received at the White House, President Wilson authorized the following statement: "I am expressing my grief at the death of Admiral Dewey, the President said the whole nation will mourn the loss of its most distinguished naval officer." 