James W. Carlin was born in 1844 in a log cabin that is thought to have stood on the southeast corner of the square in Carthage, Illinois. In 1862, at the age of 18, he enlisted in the 118th Regiment and fought in the Civil War, inlcuding the battle of Walnut Hills. In 1864, he received an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, graduating in 1868. Commander Carlin served for over 30 years in the navy. A high point in his career was his bravery during the hurricane at Apla, Samoa in 1889, as an officer serving in the USS Vandalia. Seven vessels were crowded in the small harbor. The Vandalia was smashed against a reef, settled, and began filling with water. When the captain of Vandalia was washed overboard, Carlin assumed command and ordered his men to climb into the rigging. When another ship, Trenton, was borne down upon them, he ordered his crew to leap to her decks. His actions saved all but 39 of the crew.
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The officers of the USS Vandalia. Lieutenant Carlin is seated third from the left
The Daily bulletin. (Honolulu [Hawaii]), 01 July 1889.
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/...=&proxValue=&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=10
https://kibbe.wordpress.com/tag/vandalia/
The officers of the USS Vandalia. Lieutenant Carlin is seated third from the left
The Daily bulletin. (Honolulu [Hawaii]), 01 July 1889.
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/...=&proxValue=&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=10
