Background
Christopher Raymond Perry Rodgers was born in Brooklyn, New York, United States, the son of George Washington Rodgers, 1787-1832 and Ann Maria (Perry) Rodgers.
captain naval officer superintendent commandant of midshipmen
Christopher Raymond Perry Rodgers was born in Brooklyn, New York, United States, the son of George Washington Rodgers, 1787-1832 and Ann Maria (Perry) Rodgers.
His next duty was performed at the Naval Academy where he served as commandant of midshipmen from 1860 to 1861.
On October 5, 1833, he was appointed a midshipman from New London, Connecticut After a brief period at the New York naval school he went to sea in the Brandywine of the Pacific Squadron. A brief term of duty at the New York navy yard, 1836-37, was followed by a cruise on the Fairfield of the Brazil Squadron. In the Seminole War, 1839-42, he served on board the Flirt, Wave, and Phoenix, commanding the last-named vessel. He was promoted passed midshipman from July 8, 1839, and lieutenant from September 4, 1844. From 1842 to 1843 he was with the Saratoga of the African Squadron, and from 1843 to 1845 with the Cumberland of the Mediterranean Squadron, serving on both ships as acting master. After a year with the Coast Survey, he participated in the Mexican War and was present at the reduction of Vera Cruz and the capture of Tabasco and Tuxpan. Returning to the Coast Survey, he remained there more than three years, then transferring to the Congress of the Brazil Squadron. In 1852-53 he was with the Constitution, flagship of the African Squadron; in 1856-58, with the Coast Survey; and in 1858-59, with the Wabash of the Mediterranean Squadron. His next duty was performed at the Naval Academy where he served as commandant of midshipmen from 1860 to 1861. He drew sharp distinctions between the four classes and made of the first or senior class a quasi-aristocracy. This action left a mark on the school that has never been effaced (Benjamin, post, p. 219). At the outbreak of the Civil War he took an active part in removing the Academy to Newport, Rhode Island, and tried to arouse the disaffected midshipmen from the South to a loyalty to the Union. On September 19, 1861, he was detached from the Academy and ordered to take command of the Wabash of the fleet of Admiral Du Pont. In the battle of Port Royal his vessel served as the flagship. He was promoted to the rank of commander from November 15. He was employed in reducing the coast towns of Georgia and Florida early in 1862 and received himself the surrender of St. Augustine. He cooperated with the army in the bombardment of Fort Pulaski, going into the trenches and participating in the surrender. In August he was made fleet captain of the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron, and served on board the flagship New Ironsides during the battle of Charleston, April 7, 1863. In a report of the battle Du Pont referred to the "invaluable assistance" rendered by Rodgers and declared that for "over eighteen months in this war this officer has been afloat with me, and, in my opinion, no language could overstate his services to his country, to this fleet, and to myself as its commander in chief" (Official Records, post, XIV, 8). On July 6 he was relieved from duty with the squadron. In the following October he was ordered to the Iroquois and until the end of the war cruised in European, South American, and East Indian waters, searching for the Shenandoah and other Confederate privateers. At Saint-Nazaire and Bordeaux, he went ashore in civilian clothes and inspected some ships being built by the French for the Confederates. Rodgers was promoted captain from July 25, 1866, commodore from August 28, 1870, and rear admiral from June 14, 1874. After three years at the Norfolk navy yard, he commanded the Franklin of the European Squadron, 1868 -70, being detached therefrom for special duty in Europe. From 1871 to 1874 he was chief of the Bureau of Yards and Docks, and for part of this period acting chief of the Bureau of Equipment. From 1874 to 1878 he served as superintendent of the Naval Academy, the first in that office to have had preliminary service there as an officer. He cherished high ideals, and attempted to institute reforms, but with only a measure of success. He established elective courses in advanced studies, enforced the rules against hazing, elaborated the punishment for misdemeanors, and prohibited smoking. His unfriendly critics accused him of trying to make a "galaxy of Sidneys and Bayards" out of a collection of school boys of divers origins (Benjamin, post, p. 302). He performed his last active service as commander in chief of the Pacific Squadron from 1878 to 1880. After a few months as superintendent of the Academy he was retired from November 14. In 1875-78 and 1882-83, he served as president of the United States Naval Institute, and in 1884 as president of the International Meridian Conference. He contributed an article entitled "Dupont's Attack at Charleston, " to Battles and Leaders of the Civil War (1887 - 88). He died in Washington, United States
Rodgers was of distinguished appearance, and was devoutly religious, being a member of the Episcopalian church.
He cherished high ideals, and attempted to institute reforms, but with only a measure of success. He established elective courses in advanced studies, enforced the rules against hazing, elaborated the punishment for misdemeanors, and prohibited smoking.
Quotes from others about the person
His unfriendly critics accused him of trying to make a "galaxy of Sidneys and Bayards" out of a collection of school boys of divers origins (Benjamin, post, p. 302).
In a report of the battle Du Pont referred to the "invaluable assistance" rendered by Rodgers and declared that for "over eighteen months in this war this officer has been afloat with me, and, in my opinion, no language could overstate his services to his country, to this fleet, and to myself as its commander in chief" (Official Records, post, XIV, 8).
He died in Washington and was buried at Annapolis, beside his wife Jane (Slidell) Rodgers, to whom he had been married on July 7, 1845. Of the five children born to them, two entered the navy and rose to the rank of rear admiral.