Encyclopedia Dubuque
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BLOCKLINGER, Gottfried
Ancestry.com--https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/person/tree/7036293/person/370083090420/facts
BLOCKLINGER, Gottfried. (Dubuque, IA, Oct. 23, 1847--Dubuque, IA, Apr. 18, 1930).
Naval Career:
Acting Midshipman, 22 July 1863
Appointed. from Iowa., and graduated. United States Naval Academy., 2 June 1868
Promoted to Ensign, April 19, 1869
Promoted to Master, July 12, 1870
Promoted to Lieutenant, April 2, 1874
Promoted to Lieutenant-Commander, May 21, 1895
Promoted to Commander, March, 3, 1899
Promoted to Captain, June 1, 1904
Promoted to Rear-Admiral, October 30, 1908
Member Naval Examining and Retiring Boards, 1906-1909
Commands held:
USS Concord USS Alert USS Illinois
Blocklinger's achievements include in 1879 as a Lieutenant, commanding the survey of the Madeira River in the Amazon jungle. He was a lieutenant on board the USS Baltimore during the Baltimore Crisis of 1891. In 1896 as executive officer of the flagship of the Pacific squadron, he spent much of his time in Chinese waters. During this time his general health deteriorated due to malaria he had contracted previously. Placed on furlough, he recuperated in Dubuque before being called to Washington, D.C. in 1897 for a medical examination. (1) Blocklinger passed the examination and was the Executive Officer, on board the USS Charleston during the capture of Guam to the United States during the Spanish American War in 1898.
On October 30, 1908 Blocklinger was raised to the rank of rear-admiral in the United States Navy. On the occasion, a committee of local citizens of Dubuque traveled to Washington, D. C. to present him a silk rear-admiral's flag. The banner was dark blue silk with two white stars set over each other in the center. The actual presentation was made by Frank J. SHERIDAN. (2)
Blocklinger cruised the world many times and was captain of the "Illinois" when his ship in the Asiatic fleet won the famous Prince Louis Battenburg Cup for the first time.
Returning to Dubuque, Blocklinger became a local leader of the DUBUQUE BOYS' CLUB. In 1928 he donated part of his property along Braodway for the use of the boys to construct a large garden. (3)
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Source:
1. "To Washington," Dubuque Herald, February 14, 1897, p. 4
2. "Flag is Sent to Blocklinger," Telegraph-Herald, October 29, 1908, p. 10
2. "Boys' Club Starts Garden Effort," Telegraph-Herald, May 10, 1928, p. 5
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