Description
First edition of Memoirs of Thomas O. Selfridge, Jr., Rear Admiral, U.S.N. by Thomas O. Selfridge, Jr.
Octavo; xii, 288pp. PublisherÂ’s blue cloth and dust jacket. The reflections of a naval career from Annapolis in 1851, to command of a gun division aboard the ill-fated Cumberland during her Civil War action with the Merrimac, to a Rear AdmiralÂ’s flag and command of the European Squadron from 1895 until retirement in 1898. His father, Thomas O. Selfridge, promoted to Rear Admiral on the retired list in 1866, was also a prominent 19th century naval officer. With an introduction by Captain Dudley Knox.
Thomas Selfridge, senior, received his midshipmanÂ’s warrant on the first day of 1818. Promoted to Commodore in 1862, he commanded the West Blockading Squadron during the Civil War, and the Navy Yard at Mare Island at warÂ’s end. He was promoted to Rear Admiral on the retired list in 1866. His first son, Thomas, Jr., the subject of these memoirs, graduated from the Naval Academy in 1851, saw service at sea during the Civil War and achieved the rank of Rear Admiral in 1896. They were the first father-son admirals in the United States Navy. His second son, James R., graduated from the Naval Academy in 1868 and achieved the rank of Commander in 1899.
