This Military Service Page was created/owned by
Kent Weekly (SS/DSV) (DBF), EMCS
to remember
Knight, Austin Melvin, ADM USN(Ret).
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Austin Melvin Knight was commander in chief of the US Asiatic Fleet from 1917 to 1918. His 1901 textbook Modern Seamanship was a standard reference for over eight decades.
Other Comments:
Captain Knight was placed under arrest while on trial for culpable negligence, and his wife fell ill and died during his detainment. The court-martial also threatened to derail his previously scheduled promotion to rear admiral. His private and professional travails coupled with the perception that he had been scapegoated by the political establishment made him a sympathetic figure among his fellow officers.
CLASS - PURITAN As Built. Displacement 6,060 Tons, Dimensions, 296 x 60 x 18 feet/90.3 x 18.33 x 5.49 meters, Armament 2 dual 12/35, 6 single 4/40, 6 six-pound, Armor, 6-14" Belt, 14" barbettes, 8" Turrets, 10 " Conning Tower. Machinery, HC engines, 8 boilers, 2 shafts, 3,700 hp, Speed, 12 Knots, Crew 200 (270 wartime).
Operational and Building Data: Built by John Roach & Son, Chester, PA. Laid down 1875, suspended 1876, redesigned and construction resumed 1882, launched 6 December 1882, transferred to New York Navy Yard for completion, commissioned 10 December 1896. Operated around Cuba during the Spanish-American War, in blockade and bombardment duties. Served as a training ship at the Naval Academy 1899-1902. Decommissioned to reserve 16 April 1903; recommissioned 3 June 1903 as a receiving ship at Philadelphia. Loaned to the Washington DC Naval Militia from 1904 to 14 September 1909. Decommissioned to reserve 23 April 1910. Reclassified IX-6 on July 21, 1921 and used as Radio Controlled Target Ship.
Fate: Served as a target ship, designated Target B 1910-1917. Stricken for disposal 27 February 1918; sold for scrapping 22 January 1922.