Charles H. Stockton papers

RADM Charles H. Stockton's naval career began in Newport, Rhode Island in 1861 as a midshipman at the Naval Academy, temporarily located there during the Civil War. While a student there he met faculty member Lieutenant Stephen B. Luce, whose text entitled Seamanship (1862) was part of the curriculum, Lieutenant Alfred Thayer Mahan, also a faculty member, and Midshipman William McCarty Little, a member of the class of 1866. All three played important roles in the reform and professionalization of the Navy during the latter part of the nineteenth century and influenced his thinking and his future naval career. Several decades later he joined them at the newly established Naval War College on Coasters Harbor Island.

Stockton returned to Newport during the summer of 1880, where he was assigned to the Torpedo School at the Naval Torpedo Station on Goat Island. In 1887, he was invited to lecture at the Naval War College on the political and military implications of an isthmian canal in Central America and made such a favorable impression on Luce and Mahan that he was invited back the next year.

After a two year assignment (1889-1891) as commanding officer of USS THETIS in arctic waters, he was ordered to the College on a special duty assignment which lasted four years. During this period he lectured on and developed an expertise in international law, supervised the construction of the College's first academic building (now Luce hall) in 1891-1892, and assisted Mahan in developing the course of 1892. He served as College President for six months in 1893 when Mahan was assigned as commanding officer of USS CHICAGO in European waters.

From 1893 to 1895, he ably assisted Naval War College President Henry C. Taylor inaugurate a new academic program and ward off attempts by the Naval Training Station command to abolish the College. With the publication of his first book, A Manual Based Upon Lectures Delivered at the Naval War College by Freeman Snow, in 1896, he began a notable career as a scholar in the field of international law.

After two years on the Asiatic Station as commanding officer of USS YORKTOWN, he returned to Newport where he served as President of the Naval War College from 1898-1900. During his tenure he vigorously supported the study of international law studies.

In 1899, Stockton was asked by the Secretary of the Navy to prepare a war code for use by the U.S. Navy in event of international crises. The U.S. Naval War Code was approved by President McKinley and issued to the naval service in June 1900. The propriety of presidential approval of the code, which established definite solutions to international law problems, was called into question by foreign nations, and it was revoked in 1904. Its importance, however, was recognized, and its content was incorporated in handbooks of international law for naval officers.

As president of the Navy's senior educational institution during its fledgling years, Stockton was also faced with the task of defending it against detractors, many of whom felt it should be abolished or moved elsewhere. A stalwart naval reformer of the same stamp as Luce and Mahan, he resolutely championed the College's raison d'etre and location and, through political persuasion, successfully ended a string of assaults from its powerful enemies.

Stockton's post-War College naval career was marked by several interesting assignments, including a two year tour on the Asiatic Station as commanding officer of USS KENTUCKY, a three year stint as U.S. naval attache in London, and after his promotion to Rear Admiral in 1906, commander of a special service squadron sent to Bordeaux, France, for the Maritime Exposition. His naval ties continued after retirement. In 1908-1910, he represented the service at the Declaration of London Conference in England.

In 1910, Stockton accepted an appointment as president of George Washington University while concurrently holding the chair of international law there. He skillfully guided the university through difficult times, including a building program, fiscal problems and selection of a new campus site. During his presidency he continued to make valuable contributions to the study of international law. Along with a corpus of articles on international law topics, his seminal work, Outlines of International Law,

1845

Born, October 13, Philadelphia, Pa.

1865

Graduated from U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD.

1866

Promoted to Ensign.

1869

Promoted to Lieutenant.

1870

USS CONGRESS (ScSlp), Cruise to West Indies, Greenland and Mediterranean.

1874-1875

USS SWATARA (ScSlp), Cruise around the world.

1875

Hydrographic Office, Washington, D.C.

1876-1879

USS PLYMOUTH (ScSlp) North Atlantic Squadron.

1879-1880

Navy Yard, New York, N.Y.

1880

Naval Torpedo Station, Newport, R.I.

1881

Promoted to Lieutenant Commander.

1882-1885

USS IROQUOIS (StSlp), Executive Officer.

1887-1888

Naval War College, Newport, R.I., Lecturer.

1889-1891

USS THETIS (Aux. Str.), Commanding Officer, Cruise in Arctic Ocean.

1891-1892

Naval War College, Newport, R.I., Supervised construction of Luce Hall.

1892

Naval War College, Staff. Promoted to Commander.

1893

Naval War College, Acting President.

1894-1895

Naval War College, Staff.

1895-1897

USS YORKTOWN (Gunboat No. 1), Commanding Officer.

1898-1900

Naval War College, President.

1899

Promoted to Captain.

1901-1903

USS KENTUCKY (BB-6), Commanding Officer.

1903-1906

London, England, U.S. Naval Attache.

1906

Board of Inspection and Survey, President. Promoted to Rear Admiral.

1907

Special Service Squadron, Maritime Exposition, Bordeaux, France, Commanding Officer. Retired from U.S. Navy.

1908-1909

London Naval Conference, London, England, Delegate.

1910-1918

George Washington University, Chair, International.

1924

Died, June 1, Washington, D.C.