Orange

CLARK, Charles Edgar

Encyclopedia Vermont Biography: A Series of Authentic Biographical Sketches 
of the Representative Men of Vermont and Sons of Vermont in Other States. 
Dodge. Burlington: Ullery Publishing Company, 1912, pp 147-148

Charles Edgar CLARK, Greenfield [Franklin County], Massachusetts, naval 
officer, was born 10 August 1843 in Bradford [Orange County, Vermont], son of 
James Dayton and Mary Sexton CLARK. Educated in the public school, Bradford 
Academy, and Naval Academy 1860-1863; L.L. D. University of Pennsylvania 
1905. Entered Naval Academy at Annapolis 29 September 1860; advanced to rank 
of ensign 01 November 1863; order to the "Ossippee" and served in her the 
last two years of the Civil War, taking part in the battle of Mobile Bay, and 
in the attack upon Fort Morgan, commanding the quarterdeck division; assigned 
to steamer "Vanderbilt" of the Pacific squadron, 1865-1868, where he 
witnessed the battle of Callao and bombardment of Valparaiso; as lieutenant 
commander was wrecked in the "Suwanee" in 1868 near Vancouver Island; West 
India Station, 1869-1870; Naval Academy 1870-1873; China Station 1875-1877; 
shore duty 1878-1881; promoted to commander 15 November 1881; New Hampshire 
line of battleship 1882; Ranger, North Pacific, 1883-1886, in charge of the 
survey of west coast of Mexico and Central America; shore and sea duty until 
1894; commanded patrol fleet in Behring Sea 1894; promoted to captain 21 June 
1896; shore and sea duty until March 1898; took command of battleship 
"Oregon" 14 March 1898, then in Puget Sound, sailed 19 March from San 
Francisco, arriving at Jupiter Inlet, Florida, 24 May 1898, a distance of 
16,764 miles in fifty-five days of actual steaming, without accident, the 
most remarkable voyage in steam marine annals; joined fleet at Key West and 
on 25 May took part in the bombardment of Santiago and in the battle of 
Santiago 03 July 1898, when the Spanish fleet essayed its passage out of 
Santiago harbor. Here the "Oregon" was at the head of the line of 
battleships, Capt. CLARK on the forward turret, and engaged each of the 
enemy's vessels until they were destroyed, a total of 1,176 shots being 
delivered from her guns. Detached from "Oregon" 06 August 1898, on duty at 
League Island navy yard, at Naval Home, and on examining and returning boards 
until retired on 10 August 1905, as senior rear admiral. Washington D. C. 
address, "The Ontario." In 1869 he [Charles Edgar CLARK] married Maria 
Louise DAVIS of Greenfield [Franklin County], Massachusetts; they have two 
daughters: (1) Mary Louisa, who married Commander S. S. ROBINSON, United 
States Navy; and (2) Caroline Russell, who married Commander C. F. HUGHES, 
United States Navy.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly