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Photo #  NH 100274:  Commander Cornelius M. Schoonmaker, photographed circa 1880-1881

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

Captain Cornelius M. Schoonmaker, USN, (1839-1889)

Cornelius M. Schoonmaker was born on 2 February 1839. He was appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy in September 1854 and, following graduation in June 1859, served for about two years off the African west coast. In May-September 1861, during the first several months of the Civil War, he was a junior officer on the steam frigate Minnesota and participated with her in the capture of Forts Hatteras and Clark. From late 1861 until after the end of the Civil War in 1865, Lieutenant Schoonmaker was Executive Officer of several ships, including the gunboats Wyandotte and Octorara, monitors Manhattan and Catskill, and the cruiser Augusta. While in the Manhattan, he took part in the Battle of Mobile Bay in August 1864 and in the subsequent campaign to capture Fort Morgan.

In June 1865, Lieutenant Schoonmaker became Navigator of the sloop Juniata and, after promotion to Lieutenant Commander, was her Executive Officer. In 1867-70, he served as Navigator of the Asiatic Squadron flagship, USS Piscataqua (renamed Delaware in 1869). He received instruction in the emerging field of "torpedo" warfare in 1872, then was given command of the dispatch vessel Frolic. Commander Schoonmaker served at the New York Navy Yard in 1873-74, and was Inspector of the Eighth Light-House District, at New Orleans, until 1878. He took command of the new gunboat Nipsic in 1879, taking her to European waters in 1880-81.

Schoonmaker was stationed at the Norfolk Navy Yard in 1882-85 and received promotion to the rank of Captain in October 1886. He became Commanding Officer of the steam sloop Vandalia, on the Pacific Station, in 1888. Captain Schoonmaker was among the many members of her company who lost their lives when Vandalia was sunk in the very destructive Apia, Samoa, hurricane of 15-16 March 1889.

This page features all views we have related to Captain Cornelius M. Schoonmaker, USN.


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

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Photo #: NH 100274

Commander Cornelius M. Schoonmaker, USN


Cabinet card photograph by Sebastianutti & Benque, Trieste.
It was probably taken in 1880-1881, when Commander Schoonmaker commanded USS Nipsic in European waters.

Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation. Collection of Rear Admiral R.R. Belknap, USN.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 75KB; 480 x 765 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 100275

Captain Cornelius M. Schoonmaker, USN


Cabinet card photograph by J. Williams, Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii.
It was probably taken in 1887-1889, when Captain Schoonmaker commanded USS Vandalia on the Pacific Station. He was drowned when Vandalia was wrecked in the 15-16 March 1889 hurricane at Apia, Samoa.

Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation. Collection of Rear Admiral R.R. Belknap, USN.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 48KB; 490 x 765 pixels

 
Photo #: LC-B8171-3415

Lieutenant Commander Edward Barrett, USN
(left), Commanding Officer of USS Catskill, and
Lieutenant Cornelius M. Schoonmaker, USN, one of Catskill's officers

Pose on a field gun, holding their swords, while visiting Battery "Bee" on Sullivan's Island, Charleston harbor, South Carolina, in 1865.
Photographed by the Matthew Brady organization.

Collections of the Library of Congress.

Online Image: 113KB; 610 x 675 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 1900

Samoan Hurricane of 15-16 March 1889


Men pay their respects at the grave of Captain Cornelius M. Schoonmaker, USN, Commanding Officer of USS Vandalia, who lost his life when his ship was wrecked during the storm. He was buried near Apia, Upolu, Samoa.
Photographed shortly after the disaster. Those present are (from left to right):
Mr. Hart, news correspondent;
Mr. J.P. Dunning, Associated Press correspondent;
Chief Engineer Albert S. Greene, of USS Vandalia;
Ensign John H. Gibbons, of USS Vandalia;
Lieutenant James W. Carlin, of USS Vandalia;
two unidentified men; and
Captain Norman H. Farquhar, Commanding Officer of USS Trenton.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 187KB; 740 x 575 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 97918

Samoan Hurricane of 15-16 March 1889


Visiting the grave of Captain Cornelius M. Schoonmaker, USN, soon after the storm. Captain Schoonmaker, Commanding Officer of USS Vandalia, drowned during the hurricane and was buried near Apia, Upolu, Samoa.
Those present are (from left to right):
Mr. Hart, news correspondent;
Mr. J.P. Dunning, Associated Press correspondent, who reported on the storm;
Chief Engineer Albert S. Greene, of USS Vandalia;
Ensign John H. Gibbons, of USS Vandalia;
Lieutenant James W. Carlin, of USS Vandalia;
two unidentified men; and
Captain Norman H. Farquhar, Commanding Officer of USS Trenton.

Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation. Donation of Lieutenant H.E. La Mertha, USNR, 1934.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 139KB; 740 x 605 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 1897

Samoan Hurricane of 15-16 March 1889


Memorial tablet in the Chapel at the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, dedicated to the memory of officers and men of USS Trenton, USS Vandalia and USS Nipsic who lost their lives in the storm.
Photographed circa the early 1900s or earlier.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 138KB; 555 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 26 March 2002