Alexander Scammel Wadsworth was born in 1790 at Portland, Maine. He was appointed a midshipman on 2 April 1804 and was promoted to lieutenant on 21 April 1810. Lt. Wadsworth was the first lieutenant on board the USS Constitution, commanded by Captain Isaac Hull. It was during a successful engagement with the British Frigate Guerriere off the coast of Nova Scotia during the War of 1812 that the Constitution achieved its greatest victory. During a 20 minute battle, shots fired at the USS Constitution seemed to “bounce” off the ship’s hull, giving her the name “Old Ironsides”. Meanwhile, the Guerriere was reduced to a floating pile of rubble. For this action in the battle, Wadsworth received a silver medal. Wadsworth later served as first lieutenant of the corvette Adams during that ship’s cruise in 1814 when she captured 10 prizes.

Promoted to Master Commandant on 27 April 1816 for his services during the war, Wadsworth commanded the brig Prometheus in the Mediterranean Squadron after the Algerian War in 1816 and 1817 and later commanded the sloop John Adams. Under Wadsworth, John Adams conducted cruises in the West Indies in 1818–1819, and 1821–1822 for the suppression of piracy. Promoted to captain on 3 March 1825, he commanded frigate Constellation in the Mediterranean Squadron from 1829 to 1832. Wadsworth was Commodore commanding the Pacific Squadron from 1834 to 1836, a member of the Board of Navy Commissioners from 1837 to 1840, and Inspector of Ordnance from 1841 to 1850. Commodore Wadsworth died at Washington, D.C., on 5 April 1851.

Three ships of the United States Navy have been named USS Wadsworth, in honor of Commodore Alexander S. Wadsworth:

The first Wadsworth (DD-60)was an Tucker-class destroyer launched in 1915 and struck in 1936.

The second Wadsworth (DD-516) was a Fletcher-class destroyer launched in 1943. She was transferred to West Germany and renamed Z-3 in 1959. She was transferred to Greece in 1980 and renamed Nearchos; she was stricken in 1991.

The third Wadsworth (FFG-9) was the third ship of the Oliver Hazard Perry class of guided missile frigates, launched in 1978. She was transferred to Poland and renamed ORP Generał Tadeusz Kościuszko in 2002.

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