Naval officer; born in
Frankfort, Ky., Aug. 24,
[
246]
1842; graduated at the United States Military Academy in 1860; served in the
Civil War, being present at the passage of
Forts Jackson and
St. Philip and the
Vicksburg batteries; took part in the
battle of Mobile Bay, etc.; promoted lieutenant-commander, July 25, 1866; captain, March 6, 1887; and commodore, Nov. 7, 1897.
On June 27, 1898, he was appointed chief of the Eastern Squadron, which was originally organized for the purpose of intercepting the Spanish fleet under
Admiral Camara, which it was supposed had sailed for the
United States under orders to devastate the coast cities and to cooperate with
Admiral Cervera.
This Spanish fleet for several weeks was variously reported as being at the
Cape Verde Islands and at other points near the
American seaboard, and at one time it started to go through the
Suez Canal and to
Manila Bay for the purpose of attacking
Dewey's fleet.
After the destruction of
Cervera's fleet it was reported in the
United States that
Commodore Watson had received orders to proceed with all haste to the
Spanish coast and to begin offensive operations there.
This avowed purpose on the part of the United States government, taken in connection with the destruction of
Cervera's fleet and the surrender of the
Spanish army at
Santiago, led the
Spanish government to authorize the
French ambassador in
Washington to make overtures for peace.
He was promoted rear-admiral, March 3, 1899; was commander-in-chief of the Asiatic Station from June 15, 1899, to April 19, 1900; and was appointed president of the naval examining board, Oct. 15, 1900.
