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John Woodward Philip
John Woodward Philip
Born	August 26, 1840; Kinderhook, New York
Died	June 30, 1900 (aged 59); New York City
Allegiance	United States of America
Service / branch	United States Navy
Years of service	1856–1900
Rank	Rear admiral
Commands	Wachusett; Tuscarora; Texas; 2nd Squadron, North Atlantic Fleet
Battles / wars	American Civil War; Spanish–American War

John Woodward Philip (26 August 1840 – 30 June 1900) was an officer in the United States Navy during the Civil War and Spanish–American War.

Biography

Born in Kinderhook, Columbia County, New York,^[1] Philip was appointed midshipman on 20 September 1856 and graduated from the Naval Academy on 1 June 1861.

Civil War

During the Civil War, he served on the Santee, Marion and Sonoma until September 1862 when he was ordered to Chippewa, attached to the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron. While serving in Chippewa, he was wounded during operations against Charleston, South Carolina, in July 1863.

Post-Civil War (1865-1898)

Philip served as executive officer of the steam sloop Wachusett under Commander Robert Townsend and assumed command upon Townsend's death from heat stroke in China on 15 August 1866.

In 1877 he was named as the commander of the Woodruff Scientific Expedition around the world organised by developer James O. Woodruff.^[2]^[3] However this expedition did not go ahead due to difficulties obtaining a suitable ship ^[4] and Philip then took command of the Tuscarora to survey the West coast of Mexico. ^[5] Later he commanded the battleship Texas from 18 October 1897 to 29 August 1898.

Spanish–American War

During the Spanish–American War, his ship, with the cruiser Marblehead, led the attack and silenced the fort on Cayo del Toro, Guantanamo Bay, on 15 June 1898. On 3 July 1898, in command of Texas, he participated in the Battle of Santiago de Cuba, in which Pascual Cervera y Topete's Spanish Fleet was destroyed off Santiago de Cuba. During the battle, upon watching the burning of the Vizcaya, he famously told his men "Don't cheer, boys. The poor devils are dying."^[6] He was advanced five numbers in grade on 10 August 1898 for eminent and conspicuous service in battle. From 3 September 1898 until 28 December 1898, he served as Commander of the 2nd Squadron, North Atlantic Fleet, flying his broad pennant in the armored cruiser New York.

Later career and death

Commencing 14 January 1899, he was in command of the New York Navy Yard and Naval Station, and was promoted to rear admiral on 3 March 1899. While serving in this duty, Admiral Philip died suddenly on 30 June 1900.

Namesake

Two destroyers have been named USS Philip in his honor.

References

^ "Kinderhook, New York". City-Data.com. Retrieved July 23, 2014.
^ Final announcement of the Woodruff scientific expedition around the world. Indianapolis, Indianapolis journal co., printers. 1877. Retrieved December 15, 2024.
^ "The Woodruff Scientific Expedition Steamer Ontario". Scientific American. September 22, 1877. p. 183.
^ "James Orton Woodruff". Fort Hill Cemetery. Retrieved December 15, 2024. Late in his short life, while recuperating in Florida, he developed his second grand plan. That was to establish a floating university that would travel around the world studying places and cultures. Written up in most of the major newspapers of the day it was known as the Woodruff Scientific Expedition. His first obstacle was to buy a ship for the expedition. In order to buy a foreign made vessel that the expedition could afford he went up against the American shipbuilding monopoly to get the laws changed. This accomplished he then was met with one financial obstacle after another, passing away before this dream could become a reality.
^ Officers of the U.S.S. Tuscarora, Comdr. J.W. Philip Comdg. (1878). North Pacific Ocean, coast of Mexico, preliminary, Tartar Shoal and vicinity (Map). Washington, D.C. : Hydrographic Office. Retrieved December 15, 2024.
^ "1898 | Political Events: The People's Chronology". Archived from the original on 2007-10-12.