Lester A. Beardslee

RADM Lester A. Beardslee

Lester Anthony Beardslee (February 1, 1836 – November 10, 1903) was an officer in the United States Navy who served as the commander of the Department of Alaska and of the USS Jamestown from June 14, 1879 to September 12, 1880.^[1][2]

Life

Lester Beardslee in Civil War

He was born in Little Falls, New York.

Beardslee was appointed acting Midshipman in March 1850. While serving aboard the USS Plymouth, he participated in the Perry Expedition, joining Commodore Matthew C. Perry during his landing at Kurihama, Japan in July 1853.^[3] He graduated from the US Naval Academy in 1856.^[4]

After promotion to Lieutenant Commander in July 1862, Beardslee served as executive officer of the USS Nantucket. In October 1863, he was transferred to the USS Wachusett, later participating in the capture of the CSS Florida.^[5]

From 1870 to 1871, he commanded the USS Palos, his ship becoming the first US Navy ship to sail through the recently completed Suez Canal. While serving as the commander of the Department of Alaska, he explored Alaska's waters. He gave the Glacier Bay, which is the focus of Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve today, its distinctive name in 1880.^[6] He also named a small island in Castneau Channel.^[7]

After relinquishing his command in Alaska, he was promoted to Captain in November 1880 and to Commodore in January 1894. His final post was as Commander of the Pacific Squadron from 1894 to 1897. He kept his flag on USS Philadelphia and was instrumental in choosing Port Angeles Harbor as a location for naval practice.^[8]

Beardslee was promoted to Rear Admiral in May 1895. He retired in February 1898.^[9]

References

Further reading

• Hamersly, Lewis Randolph. The Records of Living Officers of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. New York, 1902, p. 54.