Henry F. Picking

Henry F. Picking (1840-1899) was an American rear admiral.

Henry F. Picking
Birth name	Henry Forry Picking
Born	(1840-01-20)January 20, 1840 Somerset, PA, U.S.
Died	September 8, 1899(1899-09-08) (aged 59) Boston, MA, U.S.
Allegiance	United States of America
Service / branch	United States Navy
Years of service	1857–1899 (USN)
Battles / wars	Civil War Sinking of the Petrel Battle of Hampton Roads USS St. Lawrence (1848) USS Nahant (1862)
Commandant of Navy Yard, Boston
In office August 31, 1898 – September 8, 1899
Succeeded by	William T. Sampson

Biography

Pickering began his 42-year naval career in the company of William T. Sampson as midshipmen at the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis. The both Picking and Sampson graduated in April 1861 just as the Civil War began.

CIVIL WAR Henry Picking was assigned to the U.S. frigate St. Lawrence which participated in the Battle of Hampton Roads where they captured the Confederate ships Herald and Jenny Lee followed by the ramming and sinking of the Petrel. Next Lt. Picking was assigned to the U.S.S. Nahant iron-clad monitor.

POST CIVIL WAR Post Civil War, Lt. Commander Picking served on the U.S.S. Swatara, frigate Colorado under RADM Rodgers, then as Commander on the U.S.S. Michigan and the U.S.S. Kearsarge.

His final ship was as Captain of the cruiser U.S.S. Charleston in 1895. Captain Picking served at the U.S. Navy Yard, New York during the Spanish–American War and in August 1998, Commodore Picking became Commandant of the U.S. Navy Yard, Boston where he finished out his career.

On March 3, 1899, former classmates and now Commodores Picking and Sampson were both promoted to rear admiral serving under Admiral Dewey at a time when the U.S. Navy consisted of only six active admirals (Compared to approximately 290 active admirals today)

External links

• Rear Admiral Henry F. Picking – Rear Admiral Picking estate artifacts restored, preserved and displayed at Historical Registry