Worth G. Ross
Encyclopedia
Worth G. Ross was the first graduate of the School of Instruction of the Revenue Cutter Service, now known as the US Coast Guard Academy
. Although he was never formally known as Commandant, he is recognized today as the third Commandant of the Coast Guard
.
, a 205-foot steel-hulled "First Class Cruising Cutter," that was commissioned at Arundel Cove, Maryland, on May 10, 1904.
Before receiving command of the Mohawk, he served as the Executive Officer aboard the USRC Levi Woodbury
. He also served on the USS Harvard
. During his time on board, the United States participated in the Spanish American War and the Battle of Santiago de Cuba
on July 3, 1898. He received a Bronze Medal
from Congress for his actions that day.
His distinguished career came from humble beginnings. According to many accounts, he missed his first class because he was busy being the first cadet to get seasick. After the first year, he also finished first in his class in terms of demerits.
Despite his academy experience, he later used his position as Commandant to procure funding for a permanent home for the Revenue Cutter School
. After the USRC Salmon P. Chase
was decommissioned, Ross moved the school to Curtis Bay, Maryland and after the faciities proved to be too small, to Fort Trumbull, Connecticut
an abandoned U.S. Army fort. This is located a mile away from the Academy
's current home in New London, Connecticut
.
Ross retired from active service on April 30, 1911 and later died at his home in New Bedford, Massachusetts
on March 24, 1916.
United States Coast Guard Academy
Founded in 1876, the United States Coast Guard Academy is the military academy of the United States Coast Guard. Located in New London, Connecticut, it is the smallest of the five federal service academies...
. Although he was never formally known as Commandant, he is recognized today as the third Commandant of the Coast Guard
Commandant of the Coast Guard
The Commandant of the United States Coast Guard is the highest ranking member of the United States Coast Guard. The Commandant is normally the only four-star Admiral in the Coast Guard and is appointed for a four-year term by the President of the United States upon confirmation by the United...
.
Biography
A native of Cleveland, he became the first academy graduate to be the Captain-Commandant of the Revenue Cutter Service on April 25, 1905. He was also the plankowning captain of the USRC MohawkUSRC Mohawk (1904)
The fourth USS Mohawk was a cutter which served in the United States Navy in 1917.Mohawk, a first‑class steel revenue cutter built at Richmond, Virginia. She commissioned into the United States Revenue Cutter Service on 10 May 1904. Based at New York, New York, she cruised the Atlantic Ocean and...
, a 205-foot steel-hulled "First Class Cruising Cutter," that was commissioned at Arundel Cove, Maryland, on May 10, 1904.
Before receiving command of the Mohawk, he served as the Executive Officer aboard the USRC Levi Woodbury
USRC Woodbury (1864)
USRC Levi Woodbury was a screw steam revenue cutter built for the United States Revenue Cutter Service during the American Civil War. Built in 1863–64, she became one of the longest-serving revenue cutters in the Service's history, and was the oldest active-duty ship in U.S...
. He also served on the USS Harvard
USS Harvard
Four United States Navy ships have been named USS Harvard, after Harvard University:, was an auxiliary cruiser purchased for use in the Spanish-American War and in commission during 1898...
. During his time on board, the United States participated in the Spanish American War and the Battle of Santiago de Cuba
Battle of Santiago de Cuba
The Battle of Santiago de Cuba, fought between Spain and the United States on 3 July 1898, was the largest naval engagement of the Spanish-American War and resulted in the destruction of the Spanish Navy's Caribbean Squadron.-Spanish Fleet:...
on July 3, 1898. He received a Bronze Medal
Bronze Star Medal
The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
from Congress for his actions that day.
His distinguished career came from humble beginnings. According to many accounts, he missed his first class because he was busy being the first cadet to get seasick. After the first year, he also finished first in his class in terms of demerits.
Despite his academy experience, he later used his position as Commandant to procure funding for a permanent home for the Revenue Cutter School
United States Coast Guard Academy
Founded in 1876, the United States Coast Guard Academy is the military academy of the United States Coast Guard. Located in New London, Connecticut, it is the smallest of the five federal service academies...
. After the USRC Salmon P. Chase
USRC Salmon P. Chase (1878)
The USRC Salmon P. Chase was named after Abraham Lincoln's Secretary of the Treasury, Salmon Portland Chase. It was a three-masted bark with a hull length of 106-feet that was designed for use as a training ship for the cadets of the Revenue Cutter Service School of Instruction.Shortly after the...
was decommissioned, Ross moved the school to Curtis Bay, Maryland and after the faciities proved to be too small, to Fort Trumbull, Connecticut
Fort Trumbull
Fort Trumbull refers to a fort in New London, Connecticut and to a nearby neighborhood.-Neighborhood:The neighborhood of Fort Trumbull was demolished as part of plan for the economic development of New London. The plan was appealed in a case that reached the US Supreme Court, Kelo v...
an abandoned U.S. Army fort. This is located a mile away from the Academy
United States Coast Guard Academy
Founded in 1876, the United States Coast Guard Academy is the military academy of the United States Coast Guard. Located in New London, Connecticut, it is the smallest of the five federal service academies...
's current home in New London, Connecticut
New London, Connecticut
New London is a seaport city and a port of entry on the northeast coast of the United States.It is located at the mouth of the Thames River in New London County, southeastern Connecticut....
.
Ross retired from active service on April 30, 1911 and later died at his home in New Bedford, Massachusetts
New Bedford, Massachusetts
New Bedford is a city in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States, located south of Boston, southeast of Providence, Rhode Island, and about east of Fall River. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 95,072, making it the sixth-largest city in Massachusetts...
on March 24, 1916.