Harrington, Purnell Frederick, 1844-1937

Naval officer.

Purnell Frederick Harrington (1844-1937) was an American naval officer and instructor at the U.S. Naval Academy.

Rear Admiral Purnell Frederick Harrington was born in Dover, Delaware in June 6, 1844. Appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis in 1861, Admiral Harrington was quickly promoted to ensign and was assigned to the USS Ticonderoga of the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron in 1863. From 1864 to 1865, he served with the USS Monongahela of the West Gulf Blockading Squadron, participating in operations against the defenses at the mouth of Mobile Bay and in the Battle of Mobile Bay (1864) before returning to the North Atlantic service.

After the war, Admiral Harrington was an instructor at the U.S. Naval Academy (1868-1889). His teaching duties were interrupted by breaks to serve in California (1870-1873) and as executive officer of the USS Hartford (1877-1879) and Commander of the USS Juanita (1883-1885). After leaving the Naval Academy Harrington commanded the USS Yorktown (1883-1885), the USS Terror (1896-1897) and the USS Puritan (1897-1898).

In 1898 Harrington was appointed Captain of the Yard at the Portsmouth Navy Yard in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Subsequently he served as commandant of the New York Navy Yard (1902-1903) and the Norfolk (Virginia) Navy Yard (1903-1906). Harrington retired in 1906 but was recalled to service from 1906 to 1907 in connection with the Jamestown Expedition.

Harrington was married to the former Mia N. Ruan of St. Croix, Dutch West Indies, with whom he had four children: Helen Nelthropp, Ethel, Samuel Milby, and Frederick Littell. Admiral Harrington died on September 20, 1937.