Adolph Marix
Encyclopedia
Adolph Marix was an German-born American officer in the United States Navy
, who served in the Spanish-American War
. The former executive officer of the battleship USS Maine
, he served as recorder on the court of inquiry which investigated the ship's explosion in 1898. He eventually rose to the rank of vice admiral.
, he went to the United States
while still a boy, and in 1864 entered the United States Naval Academy
at Annapolis
, Maryland
, graduating in 1868.
In 1869 he was promoted to the rank of ensign
, and in the following year was assigned to special duty on the USS Congress
. He was promoted master in 1870, served on the USS Canandaigua
with the North Atlantic Squadron
during 1871-1872, was commissioned Lieutenant
in 1872, and served thereafter on various ships in the North Atlantic and Asia
tic stations until 1879, when he was assigned to service in the Hydrographic Office
. In 1880 he was ordered to the training ship
USS Minnesota
, from which, in 1882, he was transferred to the sloop-of-war
USS Brooklyn
, then with the South Atlantic Squadron.
From 1883 to 1886 he served again on the Asiatic station, after which he was assigned to special service in the Judge Advocate General
's office. In connection with his duties in this department he was sent to Australia
(1888), and on his return (1889) was ordered to the recently re-commissioned training-ship USS Jamestown
, from which he (1892) was transferred to the Hydrographic Office in New York
.
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In 1893 he was promoted Lieutenant Commander
and assigned to the receiving ship USS Minnesota
, until in 1895 he was transferred to the ill-fated battleship USS Maine
, on which he served until January 1898, when he took command of the USS Scorpion
. He served as recorder of the Maine court of inquiry. In March 1899, he was promoted to the rank of Commander.
By act of Congress, Commander Marix was advanced two numbers for "eminent and conspicuous conduct" in battle during two engagements at Manzanillo
. The actions were, the Second Battle of Manzanillo
and the Third Battle of Manzanillo
, during the Spanish-American War
.
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
, who served in the Spanish-American War
Spanish-American War
The Spanish–American War was a conflict in 1898 between Spain and the United States, effectively the result of American intervention in the ongoing Cuban War of Independence...
. The former executive officer of the battleship USS Maine
USS Maine (ACR-1)
USS Maine was the United States Navy's second commissioned pre-dreadnought battleship, although she was originally classified as an armored cruiser. She is best known for her catastrophic loss in Havana harbor. Maine had been sent to Havana, Cuba to protect U.S. interests during the Cuban revolt...
, he served as recorder on the court of inquiry which investigated the ship's explosion in 1898. He eventually rose to the rank of vice admiral.
Early life and career
Born in SaxonySaxony
The Free State of Saxony is a landlocked state of Germany, contingent with Brandenburg, Saxony Anhalt, Thuringia, Bavaria, the Czech Republic and Poland. It is the tenth-largest German state in area, with of Germany's sixteen states....
, he went to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
while still a boy, and in 1864 entered the United States Naval Academy
United States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
at Annapolis
Annapolis, Maryland
Annapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Maryland, as well as the county seat of Anne Arundel County. It had a population of 38,394 at the 2010 census and is situated on the Chesapeake Bay at the mouth of the Severn River, south of Baltimore and about east of Washington, D.C. Annapolis is...
, Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
, graduating in 1868.
In 1869 he was promoted to the rank of ensign
Ensign (rank)
Ensign is a junior rank of a commissioned officer in the armed forces of some countries, normally in the infantry or navy. As the junior officer in an infantry regiment was traditionally the carrier of the ensign flag, the rank itself acquired the name....
, and in the following year was assigned to special duty on the USS Congress
USS Congress (1841)
USS Congress — the fourth United States Navy ship to carry that name — was a sailing frigate, like her predecessor, .Congress served with distinction in the Mediterranean, South Atlantic Ocean, and in the Pacific Ocean...
. He was promoted master in 1870, served on the USS Canandaigua
USS Canandaigua (1862)
USS Canandaigua was a sloop-of-war which displaced , with steam engine screw, acquired by the Union Navy during the second year of the American Civil War...
with the North Atlantic Squadron
North Atlantic Squadron
The North Atlantic Squadron was a section of the United States Navy operating in the North Atlantic. It was renamed as the North Atlantic Fleet in 1902. In 1905 the European and South Atlantic Squadrons were abolished and absorbed into the North Atlantic Fleet. On Jan...
during 1871-1872, was commissioned Lieutenant
Lieutenant
A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
in 1872, and served thereafter on various ships in the North Atlantic and Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
tic stations until 1879, when he was assigned to service in the Hydrographic Office
Hydrographic office
A hydrographic office is an organization which is devoted to acquiring and publishing hydrographic information.Historically, the main tasks of hydrographic offices were the conduction of hydrographic surveys and the publication of nautical charts...
. In 1880 he was ordered to the training ship
School ship
A training ship is a ship used to train students as sailors. The term is especially used for ships employed by navies to train future officers. Essentially there are two types: those used for training at sea and old hulks used to house classrooms....
USS Minnesota
USS Minnesota (1855)
USS Minnesota was a wooden steam frigate in the United States Navy. Launched in 1855 and commissioned eighteen months later, the ship served in east Asia for two years before being decommissioned...
, from which, in 1882, he was transferred to the sloop-of-war
Sloop-of-war
In the 18th and most of the 19th centuries, a sloop-of-war was a warship with a single gun deck that carried up to eighteen guns. As the rating system covered all vessels with 20 guns and above, this meant that the term sloop-of-war actually encompassed all the unrated combat vessels including the...
USS Brooklyn
USS Brooklyn (1858)
USS Brooklyn was a sloop-of-war authorized by the U.S. Congress and commissioned in 1859. Brooklyn was active in Caribbean operations until the start of the American Civil War at which time she became an active participant in the Union blockade of the Confederate States of America.With her one...
, then with the South Atlantic Squadron.
From 1883 to 1886 he served again on the Asiatic station, after which he was assigned to special service in the Judge Advocate General
Judge Advocate General's Corps, U.S. Navy
The Judge Advocate General's Corps also known as the "JAG Corps" or "JAG" is the legal arm of the United States Navy. Today, the corps consists of a worldwide organization of more than 730 Judge Advocates, 30 limited duty officers , 500 enlisted members and nearly 275 civilian personnel, serving...
's office. In connection with his duties in this department he was sent to Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
(1888), and on his return (1889) was ordered to the recently re-commissioned training-ship USS Jamestown
USS Jamestown (1844)
The first USS Jamestown was a sloop in the United States Navy during the Mexican-American War and the American Civil War.Jamestown was launched in 1844 by the Gosport Navy Yard, Virginia; and commissioned there on 12 December, with Commander Robert B...
, from which he (1892) was transferred to the Hydrographic Office in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
.
USS Maine
Lieutenant Commander
Lieutenant Commander is a commissioned officer rank in many navies. The rank is superior to a lieutenant and subordinate to a commander...
and assigned to the receiving ship USS Minnesota
USS Minnesota (1855)
USS Minnesota was a wooden steam frigate in the United States Navy. Launched in 1855 and commissioned eighteen months later, the ship served in east Asia for two years before being decommissioned...
, until in 1895 he was transferred to the ill-fated battleship USS Maine
USS Maine (ACR-1)
USS Maine was the United States Navy's second commissioned pre-dreadnought battleship, although she was originally classified as an armored cruiser. She is best known for her catastrophic loss in Havana harbor. Maine had been sent to Havana, Cuba to protect U.S. interests during the Cuban revolt...
, on which he served until January 1898, when he took command of the USS Scorpion
USS Scorpion (PY-3)
The fourth USS Scorpion was a steam yacht in commission in the United States Navy from 1898-1899, 1899-1901, and 1902-1927.-Construction and acquisition:...
. He served as recorder of the Maine court of inquiry. In March 1899, he was promoted to the rank of Commander.
By act of Congress, Commander Marix was advanced two numbers for "eminent and conspicuous conduct" in battle during two engagements at Manzanillo
Manzanillo, Cuba
Manzanillo is a municipality and city in the Granma Province of Cuba.It is a port city in the Granma Province in eastern Cuba on the Gulf of Guacanayabo, near the delta of the Cauto River...
. The actions were, the Second Battle of Manzanillo
Second Battle of Manzanillo
The Second Battle of Manzanillo was a naval engagement of the Spanish American War on 1 July 1898. Two American gunboats attempted unsuccessfully to destroy the shipping present in the harbor of Manzanillo, Cuba.-The battle:...
and the Third Battle of Manzanillo
Third Battle of Manzanillo
The Third Battle of Manzanillo was fought in the harbor of Manzanillo, Cuba on July 18, 1898. A large squadron of the United States Navy consisting of gunboats and auxiliaries attacked and cleared the harbor of a comparable force of Spanish vessels in the third largest naval battle of the Spanish...
, during the Spanish-American War
Spanish-American War
The Spanish–American War was a conflict in 1898 between Spain and the United States, effectively the result of American intervention in the ongoing Cuban War of Independence...
.
See also
- Spanish-American WarSpanish-American WarThe Spanish–American War was a conflict in 1898 between Spain and the United States, effectively the result of American intervention in the ongoing Cuban War of Independence...
- Naval battles of the Spanish-American War