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Photo # NH 46948-KN:  Commander Francis A. Roe, USN

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- PEOPLE -- UNITED STATES --

Rear Admiral Francis A. Roe, USN, (1823-1901)

Francis Asbury Roe was born in Elmira, New York, on 4 October 1823. He was appointed an Acting Midshipman in October 1841. As he rose in rank to Passed Midshipman over the next eight years, Roe served in the south Atlantic off Africa and South America, with the Home Squadron, at the Naval Academy (from which he graduated as a member of the Class of 1847) and in the sloop of war Albany in the West Indies. He was dismissed from the service in October 1849 but reappointed in his old rank in September 1850. Following a tour on the mail steamer Georgia, Midshipman Roe was assigned to the North Pacific Exploring Expedition from December 1852 to November 1855. During this time he took part in a battle with armored Chinese junks off Macao and completed the cruise as a Lieutenant in command of USS Vincennes. During the remainder of the decade and into 1861 Roe had coast survey duty, served in USS Macedonian in the Mediterranean, and was an ordnance inspector at the New York Navy Yard.

In August 1861, some months after the outbreak of the Civil War, Lieutenant Roe became Executive Officer of the steam sloop Pensacola, in which he served gallantly during the campaigns to seize New Orleans and the lower Mississippi River. Promoted to Lieutenant Commander in August 1862, he commanded the gunboat Katahdin in active combat operations on the Mississippi and off Texas, and the "double-ender" gunboat Sassacus in North Carolina waters. While in the latter, he performed heroically during the 5 May 1864 battle with the Confederate ironclad Albemarle. Lieutenant Commander Roe finished the Civil War as Commanding Officer of the Great Lakes gunboat Michigan, remaining in her until the spring of 1866.

Promoted to the rank of Commander in July 1866, during the next two years he commanded the cruiser Madawaska, gunboat Tacony and the Mexican Division of the Gulf Squadron. Roe then went to the Far East, where he was Flag Captain to the Asiatic Squadron's commander, Rear Admiral Stephen C. Rowan. Following promotion to Captain in April 1872 his assignments were all ashore except for command of the South Atlantic Station flagship Lancaster in 1874-1875. Roe received the rank of Rear Admiral in November 1884, while serving as Governor of the Naval Asylum at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He remained in that post until October 1885, when he was placed on the Retired List. Rear Admiral Francis A. Roe died in Washington, D.C., on 28 December 1901.

Two destroyers have been named in honor of Rear Admiral Roe: USS Roe (Destroyer # 24) of 1910-1934, and USS Roe (DD-418) of 1940-1947.

This page features all the views we have concerning Francis A. Roe.


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

Photo #: NH 46948-KN

Commander Francis A. Roe, USN


Photographed by Gurney & Son, New York, probably circa 1866-1867.
The original print is mounted on a carte de visite.

Collection of Rear Admiral Francis A. Roe, USN. Donated by Miss Mary E. Mason, 1929.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 62KB; 460 x 765 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 46949-KN

Commander Francis A. Roe, USN


Photographed in 1869, probably at Hong Kong. He was then serving as Fleet Captain to the Asiatic Squadron commander.
The original print is mounted on a carte de visite.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 55KB; 465 x 765 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 63299

Rear Admiral Stephen C. Rowan, USN
,
Commander, U.S. Asiatic Squadron

With his staff at Yokohama, Japan, in July 1869.
Those present are (from left to right):
Lieutenant Commander Henry B. Robeson, USN;
Rear Admiral Rowan (seated);
Commander Francis A. Roe, USN, Fleet Captain; and
Ensign Frederick M. Wise, USN.
Sleeve stripes reflect the short-lived uniform regulations of 11 March 1869.

Donation of Mrs. John F. Meigs, 1971.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 82KB; 510 x 765 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 79256

Rear Admiral Francis A. Roe, USN


Halftone reproduction of a photograph taken circa the 1880s, published in "Officers of the Army and Navy Who Served in the Civil War", 1892.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 64KB; 555 x 765 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 103530-KN (color)

Rear Admiral Francis A. Roe, USN (Retired)

Portrait photograph in full dress uniform, with medals, taken by C.M. Gilbert, Corner of F and Eleventh Steets, NW., Washington, D.C.
See Photo #: NH 103530-A-KN for a view of the reverse of the original print's mount, inscribed: "Compts. of F.A. Roe, R.Adml., U.S.N. Oct. 4, 1893. At 70 years of age".
The print's mount measures 6.92" x 4.65".

Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation, Washington, D.C. Collection of Rear Admiral Reginald R. Belknap, USN.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 69KB; 500 x 765 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 371

Rear Admiral Francis A. Roe, USN (Retired)


In full dress uniform, with sword and medals.
This photograph was probably taken on or about 4 October 1893.

Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation, Washington, D.C. Collection of Rear Admiral Francis A. Roe, USN. Donated by Miss Mary E. Mason, 1929.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 59KB; 540 x 765 pixels

 


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


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Page made 28 February 2006