Charles Edgar Clark
Encyclopedia
Rear Admiral Charles Edgar Clark (10 August 1843 – 1 October 1922) was an officer in the United States Navy
during the American Civil War
and the Spanish–American War.
, Clark graduated from the Naval Academy
in 1863. His Civil War service included command of the screw sloop
in the Battle of Mobile Bay
and in the bombardment of Fort Morgan. Clark was promoted to captain in 1896.
In March 1898, he took command of the battleship
at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard
, San Francisco, and when war with Spain
was deemed inevitable, he received orders to proceed to Key West, Florida
, with all haste. After a most remarkable voyage of over 14,000 miles, around Cape Horn
, he joined the American fleet in Cuba
n waters on May 26, and on July 3 commanded his ship at the destruction of Cervera
's squadron. For this high accomplishment, he was advanced in seniority, and was appointed Rear Admiral 16 June 1902.
He died of heart failure at his home in Long Beach, California
.
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
and the Spanish–American War.
Biography
Born in Bradford, VermontBradford, Vermont
Bradford is a town in Orange County, Vermont, United States. The population was 2,619 at the 2000 census.-History:The first settler was John Hosmer in 1765...
, Clark graduated from the Naval Academy
United States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
in 1863. His Civil War service included command of the screw sloop
Screw sloop
A screw sloop is a propeller-driven sloop-of-war. In the 19th century, during the introduction of the steam engine, ships driven by propellers were differentiated from those driven by paddle-wheels by referring to the ship's screws...
in the Battle of Mobile Bay
Battle of Mobile Bay
The Battle of Mobile Bay of August 5, 1864, was an engagement of the American Civil War in which a Federal fleet commanded by Rear Adm. David G. Farragut, assisted by a contingent of soldiers, attacked a smaller Confederate fleet led by Adm...
and in the bombardment of Fort Morgan. Clark was promoted to captain in 1896.
In March 1898, he took command of the battleship
Battleship
A battleship is a large armored warship with a main battery consisting of heavy caliber guns. Battleships were larger, better armed and armored than cruisers and destroyers. As the largest armed ships in a fleet, battleships were used to attain command of the sea and represented the apex of a...
at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard
Mare Island Naval Shipyard
The Mare Island Naval Shipyard was the first United States Navy base established on the Pacific Ocean. It is located 25 miles northeast of San Francisco in Vallejo, California. The Napa River goes through the Mare Island Strait and separates the peninsula shipyard from the main portion of the...
, San Francisco, and when war with Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
was deemed inevitable, he received orders to proceed to Key West, Florida
Key West, Florida
Key West is a city in Monroe County, Florida, United States. The city encompasses the island of Key West, the part of Stock Island north of U.S. 1 , Sigsbee Park , Fleming Key , and Sunset Key...
, with all haste. After a most remarkable voyage of over 14,000 miles, around Cape Horn
Cape Horn
Cape Horn is the southernmost headland of the Tierra del Fuego archipelago of southern Chile, and is located on the small Hornos Island...
, he joined the American fleet in Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
n waters on May 26, and on July 3 commanded his ship at the destruction of Cervera
Pascual Cervera y Topete
Pascual Cervera y Topete served as an admiral of the Spanish Caribbean Squadron during the Spanish-American War, and prior to this served his country in a variety of military and political roles....
's squadron. For this high accomplishment, he was advanced in seniority, and was appointed Rear Admiral 16 June 1902.
He died of heart failure at his home in Long Beach, California
Long Beach, California
Long Beach is a city situated in Los Angeles County in Southern California, on the Pacific coast of the United States. The city is the 36th-largest city in the nation and the seventh-largest in California. As of 2010, its population was 462,257...
.