Lieutenant Harry H. Caldwell U.S.N.
(1873 - 1938)

Harry Caldwell Photo

Harry Caldwell was born 5 February 1873 in St. Louis, Missouri. He was the fourth of five children.

Harry Caldwell graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1891. During the Spanish American War (1898), he served as Admiral Dewey's aide and flag officer aboard the Olympia. On 14 March 1900, Lt. Caldwell witnessed the trials of the Holland on the Potomac River and was later granted permission to go down in the submarine as an observer. Lt. Caldwell watched from a position a little aft of the access trunk where he could see almost everything that happened. Soon after the Navy purchased the Holland, Lt. Caldwell assumed command of the submarine. On September 25, 1900, Lt. Caldwell led a successful simulation of a torpedo attack on the battleship Kearsarge during wargames held off the coast of Newport, Rhode Island. He served as the commanding officer of the U.S.S. Holland until 25 November 1902.

Lt. Caldwell retired form the Navy in 1909 and joined the reserves. He returned to active duty during World War I and commanded the Amphritrite in New York harbor. Following the war, Harry Caldwell became a writer and editor of movies. At age 48, he married Katherine Clark. Together, they were invloved in about 75 movies including "Ben Hur" and "Seventh Heaven."

Primary source: An interview with Harry H. Caldwell, Jr. by Robert A. Hamilton pulished in the New London Day on April 10, 2000.


Ó1999,2000 Gary McCue

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