Background
George Washington Rodgers Jr was born on October 30, 1822 in Brooklyn, New York, United States. He was the son of George Washington Rodgers, and Ann Maria (Perry) Rodgers.
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George Washington Rodgers Jr
Edit Profilenaval officer commander commandant of midshipmen
Education
He entered the Philadelphia naval school, and was promoted to the rank of passed midshipman from July 1, 1842.
Career
He entered the navy as midshipman on April 30, 1836, and saw his first sea service in the West Indies on board the Boston and Constellation. From 1839 to 1841 he served on the Brandywine in the Mediterranean. Soon after returning home he entered the Philadelphia naval school, and was promoted to the rank of passed midshipman from July 1, 1842. In 1844-45 he was with the Saratoga of the African Squadron. In the Mexican War he served in the Gulf of Mexico, first on board the Colonel Harney and later the John Adams. During 1848-50 he was with the Coast Survey, part of the time as acting master of the steamer Bibb. His first sea duty after his promotion to a lieutenancy on June 4, 1850, was with the Germantown of the Home and African Squadrons. After shore duty at the New York naval rendezvous from 1853 to 1856, he sought more active service, and was ordered to the Falmouth of the Brazil Squadron. Detached from her in 1859, he was engaged in ordnance duties for more than a year at the New York navy yard. In September 1860 he took command of the Constitution, the school ship at the Naval Academy. Early in the war he conveyed the midshipmen to Newport, Rhode Island, where the Academy had been moved and saved the Constitution from falling into the hands of some secessionists who had resolved that she should be the first captured ship of war to fly the Confederate flag. For a brief period at the Boston navy yard he instructed officers in ordnance duty and received the commendation of the commandant for his efficiency, zeal and ability. On September 22, 1861, he succeeded his brother, Christopher Raymond Perry Rodgers, as commandant of midshipmen. Desiring more active duty, he was placed in command of the Tioga of the James River Flotilla on May 16, 1862. With the West India Squadron she was later engaged in searching for Confederate commerce destroyers. Rodgers was promoted commander from July 16, 1862. His first command in his new rank was the Catskill, one of the ships of the fleet of Admiral Du Pont off the South Atlantic coast. He arrived on the station on March 5, 1863, in time to take part in the attack on Charleston a month later, and gave a good account of himself, approaching within six hundred yards of Fort Sumter. On July 19 Rear Admiral Dahlgren appointed him chief of staff. When Dahlgren attacked Charleston again on Augгые 17, Rodgers resumed command of the Catskill, since that station offered greater opportunity for service. He placed his vessel within a very short distance of the enemy, having resolved that no other commander should be nearer. At the beginning of hostilities a heavy shot struck the pilot house and Rodgers was killed instantly. Dahlgren described him as "brave, intelligent, and highly capable, devoted to his duty and to the flag under which he passed his life" (Official Records, post, XIV, 453)
Religion
Presumably was a protestant
Personality
Unworldly and devoutly religious, Rodgers was a man of gentle manners and shy, retiring nature.
Quotes from others about the person
Dahlgren described him as "brave, intelligent, and highly capable, devoted to his duty and to the flag under which he passed his life" (Official Records, post, XIV, 453).
Connections
On August 21, 1842, he was married to Kate Margaret Lane. He left no children.
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Born
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Died
August 17, 1863 (aged 41) -
Nationality
American -
Religion
Protestantism