| William Henry Hudson Southerland | |
| Birth Date: | 10 July 1852 |
| Placeofburial Label: | Place of burial |
| Birth Place: | New York City |
| Death Place: | Washington, D.C. |
| Allegiance: | United States of America |
| Serviceyears: | 1865, 1867–1914 |
| Rank: | Rear Admiral |
| Commands: | Pacific Fleet |
| Battles: | American Civil War Spanish–American War Occupation of Nicaragua |
William Henry Hudson Southerland (July 10, 1852 – January 30, 1933) was a rear admiral in the United States Navy. He commanded several ships in Cuban waters during the Spanish–American War, and later served as Commander in Chief of the Pacific Fleet.
Born in New York City, Southerland first joined the Union Navy as a volunteer towards the end of the Civil War, despite being only twelve years old, serving for only a brief time. He re-enlisted in early 1867 as a naval apprentice, finally entered the United States Naval Academy in June 1868, shortly before his sixteenth birthday.
After graduating second in his class from the Academy on June 1, 1872, he served aboard the sloop .[1] [2] After a year at sea, he was commissioned as an ensign.[3] From 1875 to 1876, he returned to the Academy as a staff member.[4]
Over the next 34 years, Southerland served in varied positions at sea and ashore, including duty with the Hydrographic Office, the Bureau of Equipment, and the Board of Inspection and Survey. During the Spanish–American War, he commanded the gunboat in the blockade of Cuban ports; and, in 1905, he returned to the Caribbean to command and to act as Senior Officer, Naval Forces in Santo Domingo. In between, he supervised the fitting out of the protected cruiser before briefly serving as her first commander in November 1903.[5] Promoted to captain in 1906,[2] he commanded the battleship of the Great White Fleet in 1907–09.[6] He graduated from the Naval War College in 1909.[7]
Appointed rear admiral on May 4, 1910, he served as President of the Board of Inspection and Survey for Shore Stations until becoming Commander, 2d Division, Pacific Fleet in March 1911, and commanded naval forces in the Nicaragua Expedition. A year later, he became Commander in Chief, Pacific Fleet; and, in March 1913, he left the fleet to take up duties on the General Board.
On his retirement on July 10, 1914 at the age of 62, Southerland was the last Civil War naval veteran still in active service, and one of very few to rise from enlisted man to admiral in the course of his career.
Rear Admiral Southerland died in Washington, D.C., on January 30, 1933. He was interred at Arlington National Cemetery on February 2, 1933.[8]
Southerland was the son of William and Phoebe E. Southerland.[9]
On August 1, 1877, Southerland married Mary Rodman (1859–1935). She was the first cousin of Navy officer Hugh Rodman. The couple had two daughters, one of whom married diplomat J. Butler Wright. After his retirement, Southerland and his wife lived in Washington, D.C.[9] [10] [11]
The destroyer (1944–1981) was named in his honor.