Background
Wadsworth was born in 1790 at Portland, Maine.
Wadsworth was born in 1790 at Portland, Maine.
His more than 40 years of active duty included service in the War of 1812. He was appointed a midshipman on 2 April 1804 and was promoted to lieutenant on 21 April 1810. Lieutenant Wadsworth was the first lieutenant on board Constitution during that famous frigate"s successful engagement with Guerriere in the War of 1812.
Wadsworth later served as first lieutenant of the corvette Adams during that ship"s cruise in 1814 when she captured 10 prizes.
Promoted to Master Commandant on 27 April 1816 for his services during the war, Wadsworth commanded the brig Prometheus in the Mediterranean Squadron after the Second Barbary War in 1816 and 1817 and later commanded the sloop John Adams. Under Wadsworth, John Adams conducted cruises in the West Indies in 1818–1819, and 1821–1822 for the suppression of piracy.
Promoted to captain on 3 March 1825, he commanded frigate Constellation in the Mediterranean Squadron from 1829 to 1832. Commodore Wadsworth died at Washington, District of Columbia, on 5 April 1851.
He was the son of Peleg Wadsworth, the uncle of author Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, and namesake of Alexander Scammel.
Three Navy ships have been named United States Ship Wadsworth in his honor.
Wadsworth was Commodore commanding the Pacific Squadron from 1834 to 1836, a member of the Board of Navy Commissioners from 1837 to 1840, and Inspector of Ordnance from 1841 to 1850.