James Alden, Jr.

Rear Admiral James Alden, Jr., (31 March, 1810 – 6 February, 1877) served in the United States Navy in the early to mid-1800s.

Life & Career

Born in Portland, Maine, Alden was a direct descendant of John Alden, a Mayflower pilgrim.

Alden was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 25 February, 1841.^[1]

Alden circumnavigated the globe in U.S.S. Constitution.

Alden was promoted to the rank of Commander on 1 September, 1855.

He was in command of the steamer Active on Coast Survey duty in 1859 into 1860.

In 1862 into 1863 Alden was in command of the steam sloop Richmond.

In 1864 into 1865 he was in command of the steam sloop Brooklyn.

Alden was promoted to the rank of Captain on 2 January, 1863.

Alden was promoted to the rank of Commodore on 25 July, 1866.

In 1867 he was in command of Susquehanna and a year later the screw frigate Minnesota.

In 1869 Alden served as Commandant of the Mare Island Navy Yard before becoming Chief of the Bureau of Navigation.

Alden was promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral on 19 June, 1871, and assumed command of the European Squadron later that year.^[2]

He was placed on the Retired list due to age on 31 March 1872 but continued in command of the Squadron until the next year.

Alden died in San Francisco, California.

Naval Appointments
Preceded by Charles S. Boggs	Commanding European Squadron c. Dec, 1871 – 2 Jun, 1873	Succeeded by Augustus Case