November 1879. He served as the superintendent of the New York Nautical School (now the State University of New York Maritime College) from 1879 to 1882. Promoted to commodore on 3 April 1892, he served as the commandant of the New York Navy Yard until May 1893, and was then appointed commander-in-chief of the European Station, serving from June 1893 until August 1894, and receiving promotion to rear admiral on 31 July 1894. Rear Admiral Erben retired on 6 September 1894, but returned to active duty between April and July 1898 when he was placed in command of the Patrol Fleet, which guarded the coast of the United States from Galveston, Texas, to Bar Harbor, Maine, during the Spanish–American War. Erben was based at New York City, while his command consisted primarily of eight old iron monitors stationed at various ports. Rear Admiral Erben died in New York City in 1909. Namesake The (1943–1958) was named in his honor. Family His father, also named Henry Erben (born in New York City in 1800; died there in 1884), was an organ builder, apprenticed in 1818 to Thomas Hall, an organ builder. The admiral's grandfather Peter Erben (born in Philadelphia in 1771; died in New York City in 1863) was an organist. After the death of his father, who was one of the early German settlers in Pennsylvania, Peter moved to New York City, where he became an organ builder, and was also organist in Trinity parish from 1807 until 1839. References Notes Bibliography 1832 births 1909 deaths United States Navy rear admirals (upper half) Union Navy officers People of New York (state) in the American Civil War Presidents of the State University of New York Maritime College