ADMIRAL JOHN RODGERS. 439 



best class. He served for a short time on coast-survey duty. On 

 Jan. 22, 1840, he was prouioti'd to tlie grade of lieutenant, and 

 assigned, first to the command of the schooner Wave, i^id afterward 

 to that of the brig Jefferson. His station was now the coast of 

 Florida, where he was actively engaged in the war with the Seminole 

 Indians. After another tour of duty in the Mediterranean squadron, 

 and spending two years at Pittsburg, Pa., he was again detailed for 

 coast-survey service and sent to investigate the hydrography of tht; coast 

 of Florida. He executed this work with a skill which elicited the 

 warm encomiums of Professor Eache, and laid the foundation of his 

 subsequent reputation. 



The first duty which brought him prominently before the public 

 was the command of the iSorth Pacific Survey Expedition. The 

 object of this expedition was the survey of the islands on the north- 

 eastern coast of Asia, from Japan to Behring Strait. The com- 

 mander of the expedition at the time she sailed was Ringgold ; but 

 on reat-hing the coast of Japan ill health obliged him to resign the 

 command, which then devolved upon Lieutenant Rodgers. During 

 the following three years his squadron was employed in the duty 

 assigned to it, and made the most complete survey that had ever been 

 attempted by an American squadron in those waters. In 1855 he 

 made his celebrated expedition in the Vincennes through Behring 

 Strait, with a view of continuing his explorations into the Arctic 

 Ocean. He especially desired to verify the positions of certain lands 

 which had been reported as north of Herald Island. The northern- 

 most point which he reached was 72^* 5' of latitude, and the supposed 

 land was not found. He then turned his course toward the west, 

 with a view of exploring Wi'angel Land, but ice compelled him to 

 retrace his steps. His return through Behring Strait was marked 

 by a line of soundings which had the effect of rendering navigation 

 safer for future expeditions. His whole conduct of this difficult ex- 

 pedition was marked by a skill, fortitude, and prudence which assured 

 him a commanding position in the public service. He reached San 

 Francisco on his return in October, 1855, and was immediately pro- 

 moted to the grade of commander. 



During the five years after his return he spent most of his time in 

 Washington, engaged in preparing the work of his expedition for the 

 press. This duty was finished about the time of the outbreak of 

 the Civil War. The services of our colleague during the war are so 

 well known that little more than a brief description of their character 

 and of the qualities which they displayed will be necessary. 



