Harper's Encyclopedia of United States History
Benson Lossing, Ed.

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Clark, Charles Edgar 1843-

Naval officer; born in Bradford, Vt., Aug. 10, 1843; was

Charles Edgar Clark.

trained in the naval academy in 1860-63, becoming ensign in the latter year. In 1863-65 he served on the sloop Ossipee, and participated in the battle of Mobile Bay, Aug. 5, 1864, and the bombardment of Fort Morgan, Aug. 23. He was promoted lieutenant in 1867; lieutenantcommander in 1868; commander in 1881; and captain, June 21, 1896; and was given command of the Monterey. He held this post till March, 1898, when he was given command of the battle-ship Oregon, then at San Francisco, under orders to hurry her around Cape Horn to the vicinity of Cuba. He made the now famous run of 14,000 miles to Key West in sixty-five days, arriving at his destination on May 26. This was the longest and quickest trip of any battle-ship afloat. Despite her long voyage, the Oregon immediately joined Admiral Sampson's squadron. Captain Clark's excellent discipline was evident in the effective work against the Spanish fleet at Santiago. In company with the Brooklyn, he gave chase to the Vizcaya, the Colon, and the flag-ship of Admiral Cervera, the Maria Teresa, and aided in the destruction of each. In 1899 Captain Clark was assigned to duty at the navy-yard, Philadelphia.