Home › H › Higginson (FRANCIS JOHN an American naval)

Higginson (FRANCIS JOHN an American naval)

FRANCIS JOHN, an American naval officer, born in Boston, Mass., in 1843. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1861; became a lieutenant in the following year and rose to the various grades, becoming commodore in 1898. In the Civil War he served with the West Gulf Blockading Squadron and was wounded in this service. He took part in many important actions and at the close of the war he saw service on the sea and on shore.

He commanded the Naval Training Station at Newport from 1887 to 1890; was captain of the Mare Island Navy Yard in 1894-1895; and on special duty at the New York Navy Yard in 1896 and 1897.

During the war with Spain he commanded the battleship "Massachusetts" and was advanced three numbers in clude: "Woman and Her Wishes"; rank for conspicuous conduct in battle.

From 1898 to 1901 he was chairman of the Lighthouse Board and from 1901 to 1903 commander-in-chief of the North Atlantic Fleet. His last service was as commandant in the Washington Navy Yard from 1903 to 1905. He retired from active service in the latter year.