★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★
George Ryan, Class of 1861, was admitted to the Naval Academy from Massachusetts when he was 15 years old. He graduated "with honor" in 1860 — the "normal course" was rarely normal and often shortened or lengthened, seemingly at whim — and ended his time as a midshipman on the brig Bainbridge, where we was the Navigator. Commissioned a Lieutenant in 1862, he served during the rest of the Civil War on the steam sloop Sacramento.
He became a Lieutenant Commander in 1866 — he had only recently turned 24 years old — and served for many years at the Naval Academy. In 1874 he was promoted to Commander. In 1875, in conjunction with the Naval Observatory, he was on "Special Duty, Transit of Venus."
In early September 1876 he took command of USS Huron. On November 24, 1877, his ship went aground and wrecked in heavy weather off Nags Head, North Carolina. Ninety-seven other officers and men where also lost, including seven Naval Academy alumni.
His was a rare character—a noble disposition, and developed new traits of manliness and honesty of purpose with increased length of association. To strangers he was simply an intelligent, modest man. To those who knew him well he was true nobility, unmarred by one ungentle act or thought. A loving husband and affectionate father has disappeared from the family circle, and left a desolate hearthstone. The country and the Navy have lost one who bade fair to rise by honest merit to the topmost round, and his brother officers mourn for the bright light that has gone out with sincere and heartfelt grief.
He was survived by his wife and four children; the oldest was 8 years old.
To Honor!
https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/GEORGE_P._RYAN,_CDR,_USN
