George Belknap
George Eugene Belknap was a rear admiral in the United States Navy. USS Belknap was named for him.Naval career
Born in Newport, New Hampshire, Belknap was appointed a Midshipman in 1847. He commanded the monitor during the attacks on Battle of Fort Fisher, and the sloop-of-war during the Formosa Expedition of 1867. He was the senior officer present during the riots following David Kalākaua's election as the King of Hawaii in 1874.
Belknap commanded the United States Naval Observatory from 1885 to 1886 and the Mare Island Naval Shipyard from 1886 to 1890. Belknap was appointed as a rear admiral on 12 February 1889. He served as the Commander of the Asiatic Squadron from 4 April 1889 to 20 February 1892. He retired from the Navy on 22 January 1894.
In August 1902, Belknap and his wife visited the United Kingdom, including Devonport as guests of rear-admiral William Hannam Henderson, the Admiral Superintendent of the dockyard.
Belknap died at Key West, Florida, 7 April 1903.Memberships
Belknap was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, a Veteran Companion of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States and an Honorary Companion of the Military Order of Foreign Wars. He was also a member of the New Hampshire Society of the Sons of the American Revolution.Legacy
A portrait of Admiral Belknap is on display in Luce Hall at the United States Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island.Family
He was the father of Rear Admiral Reginald R. Belknap who served as national Commander-in-Chief of MOLLUS from 1947 to 1951.Dates of Rank
- Midshipman - October 8, 1847
- Passed Midshipman - June 10, 1853
- Master - September 15, 1855
Attribution
