In recognition of his professional ability he was appointed, in 1895, by President Cleveland, a member of the Nicaraguan Canal Commission; in which position he contributed materially to information bearing upon the solution of the problem as to which of the trans-isthmian routes should be selected by the United States government. Two years later he was appointed a member of the United States Armor Factory Board, which reported, after exhaustive study, upon the subject of the manufacture of armor for our ships of war, and the establishment of a government factory for that purpose.
He was advanced to the rank of commodore in 1898; and in the same year was made rear-admiral.
In 1905 President Roosevelt appointed him a member of the Isthmian Canal Commission, having charge of the construction of the Panama canal connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. His duties in connection with this great work are additional to those of the chief of the Bureau of Yards and Docks in the navy department, which latter position he retains.
On May 29, 1872, Admiral Endicott was married to Elizabeth Adams, of Dresden, Ohio. His home in Washington is at 1330 R street, Northwest. He attends the Protestant Episcopal church. He is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, of the Army and Navy club of Washington, of the Cosmos club of Washington, of the Engineers club of New York, and a life member of the New Jersey Historical Society.
