In 1821, he was detailed to the Washington Navy Yard as Ordnance Instructor. This was not a favorite duty of his. Ordnance was not one of his major interests or areas of expertise. In the spring of 1892, however, he found himself back at sea. Gridley was detailed to the USS Marion and ordered to report to Admiral David Harmony, the commander of the U.S. Asiatic Squadron.
His duties in the Far East led him to visit Manila Bay in 1893. Knowledge of the harbor he gained on this visit was undoubtedly useful to him in the future (as we know).
He almost did not return from the Far East, however. The Marion was caught in a terrible typhoon as it was beginning to cruise to the U.S. West Coast. The force of the storm broke the ship's boilers loose from their saddles.
Things were so desperate that Gridley even released prisoners he had in the ship's brig believing that they should at least have an equal chance in case the ship was lost. Luckily the ship survived and limped back to Yokohoma, Japan, for temporary repairs before making a second successful trip to Mare Island, California.
--DaCoot
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