Gottfried Blocklinger

Gottfried Blocklinger (1847-1930) was a Rear-admiral in the United States Navy.

Early life and career
Blocklinger was born in Dubuque, Iowa on October 23, 1847. He was admitted to the United States Naval Academy in 1863 and graduated in 1868. Notable achievements include: in 1879 as a Lieutenant, he commanded the survey of the Madeira River, in the Amazon. Was a lieutenant on board the USS Baltimore (C-3) during the Baltimore crisis of 1891. And was the Executive Officer, on board the USS Charleston (C-2) during the Capture of Guam to the United States during the Spanish–American War in 1898.

Service Record


1863-69; During the American Civil War he was a midshipman at the US Naval Academy. His assignments included service on board the USS Marion (1839) in summer of 1864. And served successively in the Pacific squadron on board the USS Kearsarge (1861) in 1869, Enterprise, and Adams. 1868-82; Coast survey 1880 Served aboard the USS Adams (1874) 1885; hydrographic office 1883-86; USS Alliance (1877) 1888-89; insp. 7th light-house dist., (the western coast of Florida) 1890; USS Richmond (1860) which was assigned to the South Atlantic Station 1891; USS Baltimore (C-3) Was transferred to the Yorktown during the Baltimore crisis. 1891-93; USS Yorktown (PG-1), 1893; Washington Navy Yard 1893-95; Executive Officer USS Boston (1884) 1895-96; Mare Island Naval Shipyard California. 1897-99; Executive Officer, USS Charleston (C-2) 1899-01; Commanding Officer USS Concord (PG-3), 1901; Commanding Officer USS Alert (AS-4) 11 May 1901 Assigned to Alert'—11 May 1901, Comdr. Gottfried Blocklinger commanded the vessel and was assigned to the Pacific Station as a training vessel for apprentice sailors. In that capacity the vessel made short cruises along the California coast 1901, USS Wheeling (PG-14), 1902, USS Vicksburg (PG-11), cruising the waters off the coasts of China, Japan, and Korea 1902, USS New Orleans (CL-22) flagship of the Cruiser Squadron, U.S. Asiatic Fleet, she cruised the Philippines and the China coast., 1903; Navy Yard, Norfolk, Virginia, 1904; Navy Yard, New York, 1904-06; Commanding Officer USS Illinois (BB-7), At that time, the Illinois was assigned to the North Atlantic. She engaged in fleet maneuvers, gunnery and seamanship training, and ceremonial operations. In 1906, the Illinois was the first US ship to win the famous Prince Louis Battenberg Cup 1906-09; Member Naval Examining and Retiring Boards. No officer below the grade of Captain can be promoted to a higher grade until recommended by the Boards. 1909; Retired to 1192 Locust St., Dubuque, Iowa

Admiral Blocklinger was a companion of the District of Columbia Commandery of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States. He was assigned insignia number 18,220 and was one of the last Civil War veterans to join the Order.

Promotions
Acting midshipman, 22 July 1863 Graduated United States Naval Academy, 2 June 1868 Promoted to ensign, April 19, 1869 Promoted to master, July 12, 1870 Promoted to lieutenant, April 2, 1874 Promoted to lieutenant-commander., May 21, 1895 Promoted to commander, March 3, 1899 Promoted to captain., June 1, 1904 Promoted to rear-admiral, October 30, 1908 Retired, October 23, 1909

Sources and external links

 * DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY—NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
 * Chambers's Encyclopedia. The Records Of Living Officers Of The U. S. Navy And Marine Corps Fourth Edition. 1890 L. R. Hamersly & Co. 1890. Pg 190-191
 * Who's Who in America Volume XI, 1920-1921
 * The Call, a San Francisco newspaper, includes Blocklinger and covers the Capture of Guam
 * Report of the Secretary of the Navy, November 30, 1879