Charles James Barclay (admiral)

For other people with the same name, see Charles Barclay.
Charles James Barclay
During Barclay's time as Captain (between 1896 and 1903)
Born(1843-09-08)8 September 1843
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Died26 September 1910(1910-09-26) (aged 67)[1]
Brookline, Massachusetts
Allegiance United States of America
Service / branch United States Navy
Years of service1860–1905
Rank Rear admiral
CommandsUSS Amphitrite
Battles / wars

Rear Admiral Charles James Barclay (8 September 1843 – 26 September 1909) was a United States Navy officer.[2]

Biography

Barclay was born in Philadelphia[2] to William James Barclay and Anna Musgrave.[3] He entered the U.S. Naval Academy on 21 September 1860 with the rank of acting midshipman, graduating on 6 October 1863, as an acting ensign.[4]

During the Civil War Barclay took part in the capture of the Confederate cruiser CSS Florida at Bahia, Brazil, by USS Wachusett in October 1864, and served on board the Kearsarge in 1865–66.[2]

He rose through the ranks post-war, being promoted to master on 10 May 1866,[4] to lieutenant on 21 February 1867,[4] to lieutenant commander on 12 March 1868,[4] to commander on 25 November 1881,[4] and to captain on 1 October 1896.[4]

Barclay recommissioned the monitor Amphitrite (BM-2) at Norfolk on 2 October 1897, commanding her during the Spanish–American War, and taking part in the bombardment of San Juan, Puerto Rico, on 12 May 1898, and then serving on blockade duty.[5] He was still in command of her in 1899.[6]

He was the commandant of the Naval War Academy from 1900, and was therefore delegated captain of the Navy Yards at Boston and then at Puget Sound.[2]

Barclay was promoted to rear admiral on 20 November 1903,[7] and retired in 1905.[2]

He died of diabetes at his home in Brookline, Massachusetts, aged 66.[1][3]

References

  1. ^ a b "Rear Admiral Charles J. Barclay". The New York Times. 1 October 1909. p. 6.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Charles James Barclay". Encyclopaedia of United States History. 1905. Archived from the original on 25 July 2013. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
  3. ^ a b Massachusetts, U.S., Death Records, 1841–1915
  4. ^ a b c d e f "US Navy Officers: 1778–1900 (B)". Naval Historical Center. 2006. Archived from the original on 6 November 2012. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
  5. ^ "USS Amphitrite". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Navy Department, Naval History and Heritage Command.
  6. ^ Iowa Official Register (PDF) (14th ed.). Des Moines: Iowa General Assembly. 1899.
  7. ^ "Commissioning Certificates of US Navy Officers in the Navy Department Library". Naval Historical Center. 2012. Retrieved 3 August 2013.