Charles Edgar Clark | |
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Charles Edgar Clark in 1899 |
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Born | August 10, 1843 Bradford, Vermont |
Died | October 1, 1922 Long Beach, California |
(aged 79)
Allegiance | United States |
Service/branch | United States Navy |
Years of service | 1863–1905 |
Rank | Rear Admiral |
Commands held | Ossipee Oregon |
Battles/wars | American Civil War • Battle of Mobile Bay Spanish–American War • Battle of Santiago de Cuba |
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.
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Born in Bradford, Vermont, Clark graduated from the Naval Academy in 1863. His Civil War service included command of the screw sloop Ossipee 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 Oregon 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 Cuban 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.
The destroyer USS Clark (DD-361) was named for him.