Name/Title
Commodore J.W. Philip [Cabinet Card]Description
Circa 1898 cabinet card of “Commodore J. W. Philip.”Context
Use of the term "commodore" dates from 1775 in the then–Continental Navy, the predecessor of the modern U.S. Navy, when it was established (but not used) as a courtesy title reserved for captains in command of a fleet or squadron. At the beginning of the Civil War, Commodore became a permanent commissioned rank in the U.S. Navy. The rank of commodore continued in the Navy until March 3, 1899.
Captain Philip led the USS Texas (1892) in Battle of Santiago Bay and the destruction of Admiral Cervera's fleet on July 3, 1898.