Page:The Biographical Dictionary of America, vol. 01.djvu/345

 BLAKELEY.

BLANC.

BLAKE, William Phipps, mineralogist, was born in New York city, June 1, 1826 ; son of Eliliu and Adeline Nancy (Mix) Blake. He was gradu- ated from Yale in 1852 with tlie degree of Ph.B., and the following year was appointed mineralo- gist and geologist of the United States Pacific rail- road survey. In 1861 he was mining engineer in an expedition to Japan, afterwards going to China and Alaska in the same capacity. He was co-founder of the first school of science in Japan, established in 1862. In 1863 he received the degree of M.A. from Dartmouth college, and in 1864 was given the chair of mineralogy and geology in the College of California. He was an executive officer of the centennial commission of 1876 ; a member of the international jury in 1878, and prepared a " Bibliography of the Paris Uni- versal Exposition of 1867 " (1870). In 1878 he was made a chevalier of the Legion of Honor. His published works include : ' ' Geographical Notes upon Russian- America and the Stickeen River " (1868); ''Civil Engineering and Public Works" (1870): " Notices of Mining Machinery and Vari- ous Mechanical Appliances in Use Chiefly in the Pacific States and Territories " (1871) ; " Ceramic Art : a report on Pottery, etc., with table of Marks and Monograms " (1875). He edited the Mining Magazine in 1859 : "A Brief Account of tlie Life and Patriotic Services of Jonathan Mix of New Haven"' (1886). He was professor of geology and director of the school of mines in the University of Arizona from 1894,

BLAKELEY, Johnston, naval oflScer, was born near Seaford, Ireland, in October, 1781 ; son of John Blakeley. He immigrated to America with his father when he was very young, making his home at Wilmington, N. C. In 1790 he at- tended school in New York city and in 1796 be- came a student in the University of North Carolina, but did not graduate. In February, 1800, he obtained the appointment of midshipman in the U. S. navy; on Feb. 10, 1807, was made lieutenant, and in 1813 he was given command of the brig Enterprise, employed in defending the U. S. coasting trade. On July 24, 1813, he be- came master commander, and in August assmned command of the sloop-of-war Wasj). On May 1, 1814, he left Portsmouth, N. H., on a cruise, and on June 28 effected the capture of the British brig Reindeer, after her captain and twenty-five of her men were killed and forty-four of her crew wounded. The engagement lasted but a few min- utes and the Wasp's losses were small. Fearing the recapture of the Reindeer by the enemy, Blakeley decided to burn his prize at sea, and Congress awarded him a gold medal in recog- nition of his gallant action. On Sept. 1, 1814, he destroj^ed the brig Avon, and a few days later two other vessels were captured and scuttled. On

Sept. 21, 1814, he captured the brig Atalanta. For these services Blakeley was promoted captain on November 24 of the same year. The last news of his vessel, the Wasp, was that she was seen and spoken at sea on Oct. 9, 1814. She probably foundered in a gale. The legislatui-e of North Carolina made provision for his widow and au- thorized her to draw upon the state treasurer for such sums of money as might be required for the education of his daughter.

BLANC, Anthony, R. C. archbishop, was born at Sury, France, Oct. 11, 1792. He was ordained a priest in 1816 and shortly after accompanied Bishop Duboiirg to America. He was appointed to the mission at Vincennes, where he labored for fifteen years with great zeal and activity. He erected two log churches, the first in that coun- try. In 1820 he was relieved from missionary work and stationed at New Orleans, and after- wards at Natchez, Point Coupe, and Baton Rouge. In 1831 he was made associate vicar-general of the diocese of New Orleans. On the death of Bishop De Neckere, in 1833, he was appointed ad- ministrator of the diocese, and in 1835 was con- secrated bishop of New Orleans. The diocese at this time embraced the states of Louisiana and Mississippi, and in 1838 Texas was added. Bishop Blanc promoted the erection of that part of his diocese, embracing the state of Mississippi, into the diocese of Natchez, July 28, 1837, and Texas was by him erected into a vicariate apostoUc and in 1847 into the diocese of Galveston. Bishop Blanc's charge was administered with energy and success, and troubles arising from the sys- tem of lay trusteeship were finally overcome by his moderation and firmness. He opened a theo- logical academy for the training of native clergy, and introduced Lazarists and Jesuits into the diocese ; also the Christian Brothers and several other educational orders. The churches diu-ing his jurisdiction increased from twenty-six to seventy -three ; he erected three colleges, nine free schools, thirteen orphan asylums, eight acad- emies for young ladies and founded three con- vents. In 1850 the archdiocese of New Orleans was created, and Bishop Blanc was advanced to the dignity of archbishop July 19, 1850. His wisdom, force of character and learning made him a useful member of the Catholic hierarchy in the United States. In his prelatical capacity he took part in the 3d, 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th coimcils of Baltimore ; attending the first plenary coimcil in 1852 ; and called and presided over as metro- politan the first provincial coiuicil of New Orleans in 1856. In 1855 he was present at the coimcil at Rome. His whole life was actively employed in promoting the welfare and progress of the church and of those committed to his charge. He died at New Orleans, La., June 20, 1860.