Yates Stirling – Rear Admiral, United States Navy

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ADMIRAL STIRLING DIES AT AGE OF 85

Retired Officer, Whose Son Holds Like Rank,
Was Commander of Asiatic Squadron
Served in the Civil War
Widow, Who Also has been Ill for Some Time, Not Told of Husband’s Death

BALTIMORE, March 5, 1929 – Rear Admiral Yates Stirling, who was retired on May 6, 1905, died tonight in his apartment at 11 East Chase Street.  He had been ill for about five years.  He was 85 years old.

Because of her own illness, Mrs. Stirling, who has been an invalid for some time, has not been told of her husband’s death.

Seven children were born to Admiral and Mrs. Stirling, of whom two died in their infancy.  The others, who survive, are Rear Admiral Yates Stirling, Jr., who is commanding the Yangtze Patrol of the United States Asiatic Fleet; Commander Archibald Stirling, Executive Officer of the USS Florida of the Atlantic Fleet, now in Panama waters; Mrs. J. Lee Tailer of 126 East Sixty-third Street, New York, and Mrs. J. Penbroke Thom and Miss Helen Stirling of Baltimore.

Admiral Stirling was retired after active service for forty-five years, having been with the Federal Fleet in the Civil War. He lived to see the culmination of a long-harbored desire.  This came December 10, 1926, when word arrived that President Coolidge had nominated his son, then Captain Yates Stirling, Jr., to become a Rear Admiral.  It was the second time in the history of the United States Navy that a father and son held the rank of Rear Admiral.  The other family was that of the late Rear Admiral Thomas F. Selfridge.

Admiral Stirling was born in Baltimore on May 6, 1843.  After studying at private schools here, he was appointed to the Naval Academy as a Midshipman on the recommendation of Representative Henry Winter David.  Entering the Academy on September 27, 1860, he was graduated on May 28, 1863, ahead of schedule because of the Civil War.  He was assigned to service on the Shenandoah of the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron.

At the end of the war, Admiral Stirling was ordered to the United States ship Mohongo, a “double-header” built for river service, and sailed for Pacific stations in June 1865.  He was a Lieutenant a year later and early in 1868became a Lieutenant Commander.  He was promoted to Commander in November 1880. In September 1894, he was made Captain and given command of the flagship Newark of the South Atlantic Squadron the following June.  He was promoted to Rear Admiral on June 8, 1902.  During the last year of his service he was commander of the Asiatic Squadron.

MILITARY FUNERAL FOR STIRLING

WASHINGTON, March 6, 1929 – Rear Admiral Yates Stirling, retired, who died last night in Baltimore, will be buried in Arlington National Cemetery at 2 P.M. on Friday, with full military honors. Captain Curtis H. Dickens, Navy Chaplain, will officiate.

MISS HELEN STIRLING

Late Rear Admiral’s Daughter
Succumbs in Baltimore

BALTIMORE, August 18, 1934-Miss Helen Stirling, daughter of the late Rear Admiral and Mrs. Yates Stirling and sister of Rear Admiral Yates Stirling, Jr., Commandant of the Brooklyn Navy Yard, and of Commander Archibald G. Stirling, retired, of Washington, died early today in her home here.  She had been seriously ill of heart disease for four months.

Miss Stirling’s father, who died in 1929, was Commander-in-Chief of the Asiatic Fleet just before his retirement.  Also surviving Miss Stirling are two sisters, Mrs. J. Lee Tailer of New York and Mrs. J. Pembroke Thom of Baltimore.  Miss Stirling was born in Baltimore and, except for her frequent travels, lived here all her life.

She was interested in civic and social affairs.  During the World War she took an active part n the Red Cross program.  Miss Stirling belonged to Chapter 1ofthe Colonial Dames of America, to the Mount Vernon Club and to the English-Speaking Union.

Funeral services will be held Monday.  Interment will be in Arlington National Cemetery.

STIRLING, YATES

  • ADMIRAL USN RET
  • DATE OF DEATH: 03/05/1929
  • BURIED AT: SECTION E  SITE 3504
  • ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

STIRLING, ELLEN B W/O YATES

  • DATE OF DEATH: 03/05/1929
  • BURIED AT: SECTION E  SITE 3504
  • ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

STIRLING, HELEN S D/O YATES

  • DATE OF DEATH: 08/18/1934
  • BURIED AT: SECTION EAST  SITE 3504
  • ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

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