LZ NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES 
ill health, was placed in charge of the Squadron. He made 
extensive explorations and deep-sea soundings in the northern 
waters, and obtained valuable knowledge of the surrounding 
territory. Nearly forty sea charts were based on these surveys. 
During the Civil War, Commander Rodgers performed 
arduous and gallant service in southern waters. He was made 
captain in 1862 and given command of the Weehawken, one of 
the new monitors, which headed the line in the attack on Fort 
Sumter, April 7, 1863. For his bravery in the engagement with 
the Atlanta, Secretary Welles recommended that he be promoted 
to the rank of commodore, and receive the thanks of Congress. 
After the War, when in command of the Squadron which con- 
voyed the monitor Monadnock to San Francisco, Commodore 
Rodgers so guarded the American interests, during the hostilities 
between the South American Republics and Spain, especially in 
the threatened bombardment of Valparaiso, that he received 
special commendation of the Navy Department. 
From 1866 to 1869, Commodore Rodgers was in charge of 
the Boston Navy Yard, and in the latter year promoted to the 
grade of rear-admiral. Ordered to the command of the Asiatic 
Squadron, Admiral Rodgers, sailed in 1871 to Corea, where in 
consequence of treachery five forts were taken and destroyed. 
In 1872 Rodgers became President of the Naval Examining 
and Retiring Board, and after four years of service at the Navy 
Yard at Mare Island, he was appointed Superintendent of the 
Naval Observatory in Washington. By his advice, a site on 
Georgetown Heights was bought for a new observatory, but 
the building was not completed until after his death. He was 
successful in obtaining from Congress an appropriation of $1000 
a year for the purchase of new books, by means of which he 
formed one of the best astronomical and mathematical libraries 
in the country. 
Added to his duties at the observatory, Admiral Rodgers was 
called upon for extra service as President of the Transit of 
Venus Commission, of the Naval Advisory Board, of the 
Jeannette Relief Board, and as chairman of the Lighthouse 
