William Henry Hudson Southerland | |
|---|---|
 Southerland,c. 1907 | |
| Born | (1852-07-10)July 10, 1852 New York City, US |
| Died | January 30, 1933(1933-01-30) (aged 80) Washington, D.C., US |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch | United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1865; 1867–1914 |
| Rank | Rear Admiral |
| Commands | Eagle Yankee Cleveland (C-19) New Jersey (BB-16) Pacific Fleet |
| Battles / wars | American Civil War Spanish–American War Occupation of Nicaragua |
| Relations | J. Butler Wright (son-in-law) |
William Henry Hudson Southerland (July 10, 1852 – January 30, 1933) was arear admiral in theUnited States Navy. He commanded several ships in Cuban waters during theSpanish–American War, and later served as Commander in Chief of thePacific Fleet.
Southerland was born on July 10, 1852, inNew York City, to William and Phoebe E. Southerland.[1] Southerland first joined theUnion Navy as a volunteer towards the end of the Civil War, despite being only twelve years old, serving for only a brief time. He re-enlisted in early 1867 as a naval apprentice, finally entered theUnited States Naval Academy in June 1868, shortly before his sixteenth birthday.
After graduating second in his class from the Academy on June 1, 1872, he served aboard the sloopTuscarora.[2][3] After a year at sea, he was commissioned as anensign.[4] From 1875 to 1876, he returned to the Academy as a staff member.[5]
Over the next 34 years, Southerland served in varied positions at sea and ashore, including duty with theHydrographic Office, theBureau of Equipment, and theBoard of Inspection and Survey. During theSpanish–American War, he commanded the gunboatEagle in the blockade ofCuban ports; and, in 1905, he returned to theCaribbean to commandYankee and to act as Senior Officer, Naval Forces inSanto Domingo.[4] In between, he supervised the fitting out of the protected cruiserCleveland (C-19) before briefly serving as her first commander in November 1903.[6] Promoted to captain in 1906,[3] he commanded the battleshipNew Jersey (BB-16) of theGreat White Fleet in 1907–09.[7] He graduated from theNaval War College in 1909.[8]
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Appointedrear admiral on May 4, 1910, he served as President of the Board of Inspection and Survey for Shore Stations until becoming Commander, 2nd Division,Pacific Fleet in March 1911,[4] and commanded naval forces in theNicaragua Expedition.[3] In 1912, he becameCommander in Chief, Pacific Fleet; and, in March 1913, he left the fleet to take up duties on theGeneral Board.[4]
On his retirement on July 10, 1914, at age 62, Southerland was the last Civil War naval veteran still in active service, and one of very few to rise from enlisted man to admiral in the course of his career.[3]
Admiral Southerland died inWashington, D.C., on January 30, 1933.[4] He was interred atArlington National Cemetery on February 2, 1933, aged 80.[9]
The destroyerUSS Southerland (DD-743) (1944–1981) was named in his honor.
On August 1, 1877, Southerland married Mary Rodman (1859–1935). She was the first cousin of Navy officerHugh Rodman. The couple had two daughters, one of whom married diplomatJ. Butler Wright. After his retirement, Southerland and his wife lived in Washington, D.C.[1][10][11]
This article incorporates text from thepublic domainDictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be foundhere.| Military offices | ||
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| Preceded by | Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. Pacific Fleet 1912–March 1913 | Succeeded by |
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