CDV – Signed By Commodore Cadwalader Ringgold SOLD

Cadwalader Ringgold (1802 -1867), was on an exploring expedition in the Pacific from 1838 to 1842, going to Antarctica, many Pacific islands, and eventually to the American Northwest Pacific coast. The expedition suffered trouble at Fiji with some fighting and deaths of two officers. In retaliation, 87 Fijians were killed, and two of their villages destroyed. Another exploration of the San Francisco Bay area in 1849 and began a survey, now important because of the gold discovery there. He was relieved of command of another expedition in the 1850s, and placed on the reserve list until 1858.

In Nov. of 1861, he was in command of the Frigate Sabine, and rescued 400 Marines whose transport Governor was sinking in a severe storm off Port Royal, SC. Promoted to commodore in 1862, was cruising off the coast of Brazil searching for the CSS Alabama and other confederate raiders. He was retired for reasons of age in 1864, and  promoted to Rear Admiral . He died in 1867. 400 marines and carriages formed a funeral Cortege, accompanied by Admirals, Farragut, Bell, and Stringham, along with several generals.  His body was placed on a train to Baltimore, where he was laid to rest in Green Mount Cemetery, next to the grave of his brother Major Samuel Ringgold of Mexican War fame.

Signed, “Cadwalader Ringgold. Commodore U.S. Navy.”

Phublished by  E. & H.T. Anthony from a Brady negative.

Fine.