Worth G. Ross

Worth G. Ross (April 19, 1854 - March 24, 1916) 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.

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 Mohawk, 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.

References

United States Coast Guard Biography