Name |
Capt. Cornelius Marius Schoonmaker [1, 2] |
Birth |
02 Feb 1839 |
Kingston, Ulster, NY [1, 2] |
Gender |
Male |
Education |
1859 |
United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD [2] |
He graduated in 1859 and his first duty assignment was on the San Jacinto (screw frigate), African Squadron. |
Milit-Memo |
1860 [2] |
- Duty on the Falmouth (brig)
|
Milit-Memo |
1861 [2] |
- Executive master, Minnesota (steam frigate)
|
Milit-Memo |
1862 [2] |
- Executive officer, Octorara (gun boat), West Gulf Blockading Squadron
|
Milit-Memo |
1864 [2] |
- Executive officer, Manhattan (iron clad), West Gulf Blockading Squadron
|
Milit-Memo |
1865 [2] |
- Duty on the Catskill (iron clad)
|
Milit-Memo |
1867 [2] |
- Executive officer, Juniata (steam sloop), South Atlantic Squadron
|
Milit-Memo |
1869 [2] |
- Executive officer, Delaware (screw steamer), Asiatic Squadron
|
Milit-Memo |
1872 [2] |
- Commanded the Frolic (side wheeled steamer)
|
Milit-Memo |
1873 [2] |
- Duty at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, Brooklyn, N.Y.
|
Milit-Memo |
1874 [2] |
- Duty as inspector of 8th Lighthouse District, New Orleans, LA
|
Milit-Memo |
1879 [2] |
- Commanded the Nipsic (steam sloop), European Squadron
|
Milit-Memo |
1882 [2] |
- Duty at the Norfolk Navy Yard, Norfolk, VA
|
Milit-Memo |
1886 [2] |
|
Milit-Memo |
1888 [2, 3] |
- Commanded the Vandalia (screw sloop).
Vandalia recommissioned in February 1886, and in August of that year left the east coast for the long voyage around South America to join the Pacific Station. She served as the Navy's Pacific flagship during much of the next two years. In early 1889, Vandalia was sent to Samoa to help counter German political and military activities in that island kingdom. While anchored in Apia Harbor, Samoa, on 15-16 March 1889, Vandalia was driven ashore by a violent hurricane. The ship was utterly wrecked, and suffered the loss of 43 of her officers and men, including her Commanding Officer, Captain Cornelius M. Schoonmaker. After recovery of fittings and armament, her wreck was donated to the Samoans for its salvage value and broken up.
|
Reference Number |
3742 |
Death |
15 Mar 1889 |
Apia, Samoa [2] |
Person ID |
I3742 |
ESVA Connections |
Last Modified |
24 May 2016 |