Edward H. Watson
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Edward Howe Watson (February 28, 1874 -- January 7, 1942) was a United States Navy officer in the early 20th century. He infamously led a squadron of destroyers aground off Point Honda on the California coast in 1923.
He born in Frankfort, Kentucky the son of Commander John Crittendon Watson, USN. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in June 1895. He served on several ships during the rest of the decade, including Spanish-American War service on board Detroit. He commanded the storeship Celtic in 1912-13. He attended the Naval War College. He also saw duty as Executive Officer of the battleship Utah and as Commanding Officer of the gunboat Wheeling.
During World War I, he was in command of the battleship Alabama, receiving the Navy Cross. In March 1919, he became U.S. Naval Attache in Japan, remaining in that post until May 1922. In July of that year, he took command of Destroyer Squadron 11, based on the West Coast.
On September 8, 1923, navigation errors on his flagship resulted in the loss of seven of the squadron's destroyers through stranding on the rocky coast at Honda Point, California. This was known as the Honda Point Disaster.
He was court martialed for his leadership in this event. He was subsequently assigned to duty as Assistant Commandant of the Fourteenth Naval District, in Hawaii, remaining there until he left active duty in November 1929.
He died in Brooklyn, New York.
Sources
- Department of the Navy -- Naval Historical Center (http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/pers-us/uspers-w/e-watson.htm) This work is in the public domain.