Career
Selfridge was appointed midshipman on 1 January 1818, at the age of 13. Promoted to Lieutenant in 1827, he served in the East India, Mediterranean, and Pacific Squadrons. He took command of the sloop United States Ship Dale, in May 1847 and participated in the capture of Mazatlán and Guaymas.
Badly wounded in the latter engagement, he was invalided home in June 1848.
He was promoted to captain in 1855 and was subsequently assigned to the Boston Navy Yard, where he remained until 1861. He commanded the paddle frigate United States Ship Mississippi, flagship of the Gulf Squadron, on blockade duty off Mobile, Alabama and off the passes of the Mississippi River.
Selfridge"s old wound forced him to relinquish his command in February 1862. He was promoted to commodore on July 16, 1862 and commanded the Mare Island Navy Yard until 1864.
He retired from the Navy on April 24, 1866 after 48 years of service.
In 1867, he was promoted to the rank of rear admiral on the retired list to date from 25 July 1866 in honor of his long and distinguished career. Rear Admiral Selfridge died in Waverly (now part of Belmont, Massachusetts) in 1902 at the age of 98. Midshipman - 1 January 1818
Lieutenant - 3 March 1827
Commander - 11 April 1844
Captain - 14 September 1855
Commodore - 16 July 1862
Retired - 24 April 1866
Rear Admiral on Retired List - 25 July 1866.
