Farragut, and our naval commanders

Front matter

Gass 1 f^l ^ ' ^'

OUR NAVY

1861-1865.

Preface

The object of the following work is twofold : first, to bring out into distinct relief tlie important actions of our navy during the recent war ; and, second, to give a personal history of the brave officers who covered themselves and the nation with honor.

Our navy has always been the pride and boast of the people, for its record is without a blot. Disgrace and defeat have often been visited on our arras on the land, but the former never, and the latter rarely on the sea. We have never lost a vessel in a fair combat, so that no commander, however unfortunate in the loss of his vessel, has ever lost his reputation with it — nay, rather, he has added to his renown by the gallant and determined man ner in w^hich he fouQ-ht it.

Isolated, and so far from the great powers of the world, we could protect ourselves at home ; but without a navy with a brilliant record, we could not command respect abroad. Our honor on the deep and in foreign ports had therefore to be entrusted to our naval commanders, and nobly did they fulfil their trust. We have never been, till now, scarce a third-rate power in our marithne strength, yet the navy, by its deeds of renown,

Vlll PREFACE.

lias made us to be regarded as a first-rate one tlirougliout tlie world. Our national flag seemed almost lost amid tlie swarming fleets of England and France ; still, wherever it floated, it asserted its supremacy and claimed and received tliat respect wliicli liitlierto liad been awarded only to numbers. This Ligli character, won by no other navy of our size in the civilized world, has not only been sustained, but elevated by our commanders in the recent struggle for self-preservation. They therefore deserve a separate place in history. Besides, our naval commanders seem not so much a part of the ]3eople as the volunteer generals, who step from their office and ordinary emplojonents to the head of our armies. From boyhood their home is on the ocean, and they are lost to view except by their immediate friends ; and we know them only by theii' deeds of renown. A volunteer navy is impossible, except in its crews. Tlie sailing and manoeuvring and fighting of a ship can he done only by those who have had years of practical training — only the results of which we see. We have thought, therefore, that the early history, experience, and struggles of those men who have covered our flag with glory, would be interesting to the American people. Besides, the new instruments of warfare — the heavy ordnance and monster shells and unparalleled range which have been leached — ^the iron-clad vessels and destructive rams and novel modes of attach and defence which have characterized this naval contest, have made it unique and worthy of a separate and distinct notice.

PREFACE. IX

It is not to be iuferred, tliat, because some admirals and commodores are omitted in the following sketches, and others of lower rank inserted, the distinction is meant as a test of their respective merits. Those have been selected who performed marked service or fought separate engagements. Officers in command of navy-yards, or on peaceful stations, may have rendered equal service to the nation, but the character of it was such as to furnish no material for a biographical sketch ; yet their rank indicates the high appreciation of their worth and services by the Government.

We have only to add that, in almost every case, the facts and personal details in the biographical sketches have been furnished either by the commanders themselves, or their friends, wdth their approval. Hence they can be relied on.

LIST OF ILLUSTRATION'S.

Admiral D. G. Farragut, ....

Eeae -Admiral S. H, Dahlgren,

" l. m. goldsborough, .

" S. n. Steingham,

Commodore "W. D. Porter,

Captain 0. S. Boggs,

Farragut's Naval Engagement, (Mobile Bay) Rear- Admiral S. F. Dupont, .

" A. H. FooTE,

Sinking of the Pirate Alabama off the Coast of Vice-Admiral D. D. Porter, The Red River Expedition Passing the Rapids Bombardment and Capture of Fort Fisher, Rear-Admiral Hiram Paulding, Commodore J. A. Winslow, ....

" Charles Wilkes, .

" J. L. Worden, ....

" T. Bailey, ....

Captain P. Drayton,

Colonel Charles Ellet,

PAGE

{Frontispiece.') 33

France,

Chapter I. Pagb

Modem Science in Naval Warfare — Earliest Naval Engagement on Record — Battle of Salamis — Roman Mode of Fighting — Ancient Engines and Implements of Destruction — Cannon First Used in Naval Combats — The Terrible Battle of Lepanto — Rapidity with which Ancient Naval Expeditions were Fitted Out — Improvement in Ship-Building — The Paixhan Gun — Explosion of Shells by Concussion — Our Second War with England — Astoundmg Results of the Various Combats — Chief Cause of our Victories — Sights on Cannon — Inferiority of our Navy at the Commencement of the Rebellion — Improvements in Guns — Dahlgren Gun — Description of the Parrott Gun — Construction of Iron-Clads — The Monitor, Galena, and Ironsides — Foundation of the Iron-Clad Navy — Strength of the Navy at the Commencement of the War — Its Division — Extent of Coast to be Blockaded — Number of Vessels Built and Purchased — Europe on the Blockade — England — Southern Efforts to Break the Blockade — Blockade Runners — Number Captured the First Year — ^Total Number During the War — Increase of our Naval Force During the War — Amount Expended by our Navy Department 33

CH AFTER II.

ADMIRAL DAVID GLASCOE FARRAGUT.

PAGE

His Parentage— His Father Serves in the Revolutionary Army — ^Nativity of David — Appointed Midshipman when Nine Years of Age — Serves under Captain Porter — His First Cruise — Description of the Fight in Valparaiso Harbor — David's Heroic Conduct — Is "Wounded— Sent Home on Parole — Put to School— Sent to the Mediterranean — Studies under the Chaplain — His Promotion—Stationed at Norfolk — His Marriage — Commands the Navy-Yard at San Francisco — Second Marriage — Remains Loyal at the Breaking Out of the Rebellion — Compelled to Leave Norfolk — Commands the Expedition Against New Orleans — Passage of the Forts — Capture of the City — His Career on the Mississippi — Daring Passage of the Rebel Batteries — Anecdote — Expedition Against Mobile — Passes the Forts Lashed to the Mainmast — His After-Services and Promotion 4f

Chapter III. Rear-admiral Charles Wilkes

His Nativity — A Midshipman — His First Cruise — His Early Services — Appointed to the Depot of Charts and Instruments — His Eflbrta to Create a National Observatory Declared Unconstitutional — Sent to Survey St. George's Bank — Appointed to Command the Antarctic Expedition — Account of his Explorations — Takes Vengeance on the Cannibals for the Murder of his Nephew — His After-Voyage Round the World — Court-Martialled — Names of the Various Works that he Published — At the Beginning of the War Placed in Command of the Frigate San Jacinto, and Sent to the West Indies to Capture the Privateer Sumter — Seizes the British Mail-Steamer Trent, and Carries off Mason and Slidell — Excitement in Both Hemispheres over the Seizure — the Act Finally condemned by the President — Made Commodore,

CONTENTS. li

PAGE and placed First on the List — Assigned to the Command of the Potomac Flotilla — Made Acting Rear-Admiral, and Sent to Protect our Commerce in the "West Indies — Suspended — Placed on the Retired List 103

Chapter IV

REAR-ADMIRAL SILAS H. STRINGHAM.

His Nativity — Enters the Navy — Sails under Rodgers — Affair of the President and Little Belt — War Declared — Chase of the Belvidere — Serves under Decatur on the Coast of Algiers — Rescues the Crew of a French Brig at Gibraltar — A Gallant Feat — Captures Slavers on the African Coast and Sent Home with his Prizes — Made Lieutenant, and Sent to the West India Station — Captures a Notorious Slaver — Transferred to the Brooklyn Navy- Yard — Commands the Ohio in the Bombardment of Vera Cruz — Commands the Brazilian Squadron— Sent to the Mediterranean — Placed over Gosport Navy Yard — At Commencement of the Rebellion made Flag-OfBcer of the Atlantic Blockading Squadron — Commands the Expedition sent to Capture Hatteras— The Bombardment — Joy over his Victory — Blamed for not Prosecuting it, and is Relieved of his Command — Placed on the Retired List; 112

Chapter V. Rear-admiral Samuel Francis Dupont

His Nativity — Made Midshipman at Twelve Years of Age — First Cruise under Commodore Stewart — Commander in 1845 — Commands the Congress during

PAGE

the Mexican War — Rescues a Party Beleaguered in the Mission of San Jose — Made Captain and Placed in Command of the Steam Frigate Minnesota, and Conveys our Minister to China — Cruise in the Chinese Waters — At the Breaking Out of the RebeUion placed over the Philadelphia Navy Yard — Proposes the Capture of Port Royal — Placed in Command of the Expedition — Excitement of the Country on its Departure — Mystery Respecting its Destination — A Terrific Storm — Forebodings of the People and Exultation of the South — The Fleet Scattered — Shipwreck and Death — Sinking of the Governor — Frightful Scenes — Arrival at Port Royal — The Attack — A Thrilling Spectacle — Surrender of the Forts — Enthusiasm over the Victory — Dupont's Conquests along the Coast of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida — His Stringent Blockade — Raid of the Rebel Rams of Charleston on his Fleet — The Mercedita and Keystone State — Commands the Iron-Clad Fleet in the Great Attack on Charleston — Description of the Combat — Disappointment over the Failure — Dupont Blamed for not Renewing the Attack — His Defence — Court-Martials the Chief Engineer — Relieved of his Command — Admiral Foote put in his Place — His Sudden Death — Admiral Dahlgren Succeeds him — Retirement of Dupont — His Death — His Character. ......... 123

Chapter VI. * Rear-admiral Andrew Hull Foote

1 Nativity, Ancestry, and Early Education — Enters the Navy — First Cruise — Second Cruise, under Commodore Hull — Third Cruise to the West Indies — A Great Change in his Character — Dedicates his Life to God — Yoyage Round the World — Becomes the Champion of the Persecuted Missionaries of the Sandwich Islands — Appointed over the Naval Asylum of Philadelphia — Gets the Inmates to give up their Grog — Cruise in the Mediterranean — Preaches to the Sailors — Laid up with Sore Eyes — Commands the Sloop of War Portsmouth, on the East India Station — Bombards Chinese Forts — Commands the Brooklyn Navy Yard on the Breaking Out of the Rebellion —

PAGH

Sent West to Organize a Flotilla on the Mississippi — Captures Fort Henry — Attack on Fort Donaldson — Is Wounded — Subsequent Operations on the Tennessee' and Cumberland Rivers — Phelp's Report — Advance Against Columbus — Operations Around Island No. 10 — Passage of the Batteries by the Carondelet — Moves against Memphis — Is Relieved to Recruit his Health — Domestic Afflictions — Our Bureau of Equipment and Navigation at Washington — Made Rear-Admiral — Placed over the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron — His Death and Character. . . . . .15]

Chapter VII. Commodore Charles Stuart Boggs

Early Impressions — His Nativity and Early Education — Anecdote — Enters the Naval Service — His First Cruise — Greek Pirates — Cruise to the West Indies — A Lieutenant — Service in the Pacific Ocean — Has Charge of the Apprentices in New York Harbor — Ordered to the African Coast — Serveg on Board the Princeton during the Mexican War — A Daring Act — Cruise in the Mediterranean — The Greeks Astonished at a Propeller — Sent to the World's Fair — Inspector of Clothing and Provisions in New York Harbor — Commands a California Steamer — Inspector of Lights on the Coast of California — His Position and Feelings on the Breaking Out of the Rebellion — Offers a Reward to the most Gallant Soldier of his Country — Ordered Home — Given the Command of the Vaiuna — Joins Farragut's Squadron — Passage of the Forts Below New Orleans — His Gallant Conduct — The Boy Oscar — Is Presented with a Sword for his Gallantry — On Blockading Duty off Wilmington Harbor — His Health Fails — Appointed on Admiral Gregory's Staff at New York — Plans and Builds Torpedo-Boats — His Services since the War — His Character. ....... .182

Chapter VIII. Rear-admiral Louis Malesherbes Goldsborough

rAQE

U\s Nativity — A Midshipman at Seven Years of Age — His First Cruise — Early Services — A Lieutenant at Tvrenty — Prosecutes his Studies at Paris — Battle with Pirates in the Archipelago — Placed in Charge of the Depot of Charts and Instruments at Washington — Establishes a German Colony in Florida — Takes Part in the Seminole War — Takes Part in the Bombardment of Vera Cruz — Explores the Coast of California a;nd Oregon — Commands the Brazilian Squadron — Made Captain — At Commencement of the Rebellion, made Flag-Officer of the North-Atlantic Blockading Squadron — Commands the Expedition Sent to the Sounds of North Carolina — Storm at Cape Hatteras — Its Destructive Effects — Sails for Roanoke Island — Bombardment of the Works — His Services in the Chesapeake Bay and James River — Resigns his Command — Shore Duty — Present Command. . . . .196

Chapter IX. Colonel Charles Ellet

American Ingenuity — Ellet's Nativity — Early Education — Becomes Surveyor — Finishes his Education in Paris — Becomes Engineer-in-Chief on the James River and Jianawha Canal — Publishes a Work on the Laws of Trade — Proposes to Build a Wire Bridge Across the Mississippi — Builds the First Suspension Bridge in America — Plans Others — Visits Europe — Plans Improvements of Navigation in the Ohio River — Sent by the War Department to Survey the Lower Mississippi — Publishes a Work on the Ohio and Missisfflppi Rivers — Plans there the Ram — Submits bis Invention to the Russian Emperor — Also to our Navy Department — Publishes a Pamphlet on his i'AGE

Projects — Urges his Invention on Government at the Breaking out of the' Rebellion — Attacks McClellan — Sent West to Build Rams — His Difficulties — His First Experiment at Memphis — Is Wounded — His Sickness and Death — Charles Rivers Ellet — His Birth and Early Education — Joins the Ram Fleet — Succeeds his Father — His Bravery — Complimented by Porter — Attacks the City of Vicksburg — Destroys Rebel Transports — Gets Aground, and Loses his Vessel — Commands the Switzerland — Runs the Vicksburg Batteries — After-Services — His Sickness and Early Death. . . . 209

Chapter X. Rear-admiral Theodorus Bailey

Nativity — Early Impressions — Appointed Midshipman — Sent to the Coast of Africa — Cruise in the Pacific Ocean— Placed on the West India Station — Made Lieutenant — Voyage Round the World — Second Voyage Round the World — Stationed at the Brooklyn Navy Yard — Assumes an Independent Command — Sails in the Lexington for the Coast of Mexico — Sherman, Halleck, and Ord, then Lieutenants, accompany him — Their Appearance — An Incident off Cape Horn in a Gale — Arrival in Cahfornia — Meets Commodore Stockton and Fremont — His Services on the Coast during the Mexican War — A Practical Joke — Correspondence with a British Captam, on Blockade Rights — Cruise in the Pacific — Compels Island Chiefs to do Justice — At Panama afler the Massacre of Americans — Commands the Colorado in Commencement of the War — Blockades Pensacola — Placed Second in Command in the Expedition against New Orleans — Unable to get his Ship over the Bar — Determines to lead in Something — Anecdote of him — Leads in the Cayuga — The Combat — Demands the Surrender of New Orleans — Interviews with the Mayor, Lovell and Soule — Sent Home with Despatches — Placed in Command of the Eastern Gulf Blockading Squadron— Exhibits great Energy and Efficiency — Complimented by the Department — His HospitaUty — Astonishes a Secesh Vestry — Smitten down by the Yellow Fever — Attempt to bribe him — Returns North. 224

Chapter XI. Eear-admiral Chaeles Henry Davis

PADS,

Scientific Attainments in the Naval Profession — Birth and Parentage of Davis — His Early Education — Enters the Navy — Three Years' Cruise in the Pacific Ocean — ^Visits its remote Islands — On his Return receives his Warrant and Cruises in the West Indies — In the Mediterranean — Made Lieutenant — Enters on the Study of the Modern Languages — Fourth Cruise in the Pacific — Sails for St. Petersburg— Appointed to the Coast Survey — His Surveys, Investigations, etc. — His Reports and Memoirs — His Marriage — Supermtends the Preparation of the American Ephemeris and Nautical Almanac — His Translations and Publications — Once More Afloat — Receives the Capitulation of the FiUbuster Walker — Shore Duty — Breaking out of the Rebellion — Davis' Services at Washington — Placed on a Commission to investigate the Subject of Armored Ships — Dupont's Chief of Staff in the Port Royal Expedition — His great Services — Commands the Stone Fleet sunk in Charleston Harbor — Sent up the little Tybee — Engages Tatnall's Fleet — Relieves Foote in Command of the Mississippi Flotilla — Combat of Fort Pillow — Destroys the Rebel Fleet off Memphis — Battery of St. Charles captured — Davis' Despatch — Before Vicksburg — After Services — Recalled to Washington — Receives the Thanks of Congress, and made Rear-Admiral — Chief of Bureau of Navigation — Superintendent of National Observatory, etc 252

Chapter XII

COMMANDER HOMER C. BLAKE.

A Great Example worth more than au Ordinary Victory — Blake's Nativity and Early Education — Enters the Navy — His First Cruise Round the World — Keeps Communication open between our Vessels in the Chinese Sea — Serves

PAGE

on the Coast of Africa — Enters the Naval School — Passed Midshipman — Serves in the War with Mexico — Cruise to the East Indies — Sent Home to Recruit his Health — Joins the Paraguay Expedition — Anecdote — Second Cruise to the African Coast — Breaking out of the Rebellion — Blake joins the Port Royal Expedition — Commands the R. R. Cuyler — Transferred to the Hatteras — A Description of her — On Blockade Duty off Galveston — Sent in Pursuit of a strange Steamer — His Fight with the Alabama — Correspondence with an English Captain in Kingston — Is Exchanged — His Crew ask the Government to give him another Vessel to Cruise after the Alabama — Commands the Eutaw in the James River— His Great Services here — Now over the Bureau of Navigation in Portsmouth, N. H. 271

Chapter XIII

COMMODORE JOHN A. WINSLOW.

His Birth — Ancestry — Enters the Naval Service — Sent to the West Indies — Cruises in the Pacific Ocean — Subsequent Services — Promotion — Serves in the War with Mexico — Fight in Tobasco — Given a Choice of Vessels for his Gallantry — Semmes becomes his Roommate — Strange Contrasts — In Hayti and Yucatan — A Cruise in the Pacific — Breaking out of the RebeUion — Winslow sent West to co-operate with Foote — Equips his Flotilla — Is Wounded in trying to get the " Benton " afloat after Grounding — Sent up the White River — Deters Officers from demanding of the Government his Appointment to the Command of the Mississippi Flotilla — Ordered East to take Command of the Kearsarge — His Cruise in Search of the Alabama — Bold Navigation — Blockades the Florida — His Vessel run Ashore by Rebel Pilots — Finds the Alabama at Cherbourg — Is Challenged by Semmes — Before the Combat — The Combat — A Brave Seaman— The Victory— Yacht Greyhound — English Perfidy — Semmes' Falsehoods refuted — The English Press — The two Vessels compared — Letter of the Secretary of the Navy — Unjust Censure — Feeling of the People — Wiuslow's Vindication— His Character. . 288

Chapter XIV

VICE-ADMIRAL DAVID D. PORTER.

FAGS

His Birth and Early Education — Accompanies his Father to the West Indies in Search of Pirates — Enters the Mexican Navy as Midshipman — His first Fight on the Cuban Coast — Is taken Prisoner and placed in Confinement — Parolled and Returns to Mexico — Returns home — Enters the Naval School — Midshipman in the U. S. Navy — His Subsequent Services and Cruises — Sent by Buchanan to Hayti to investigate the Condition of the Dominican Republic — Made First Lieutenant on the Spitfire in the Mexican War — At Vera Cruz — His Gallant Attack of Tobasco — At Tuspan — Commands the Pacific Mail Steamship Panama, and sails through the Straits of Magellan — Commands the George Law Steamer Georgia, for three years — Commands the Steamer Golden Age — Remarkable Voyage to Australia — Sent by the Secretary of War to Import Camels — Breaking out of the Rebellion — Sent to relieve Fort Pickens — A Curious Piece of History — Blockades the Mississippi — Long Chase after the Privateer Sumter — Commands the Mortar Fleet under Farragut in the Attack on New Orleans — The Bombardment — Goes to Pensacola and Mobile — Aids Farragut in Passing the Batteries of Vicksburg and Port Hudson — Put in Command of the Mississippi Fleet — Co-operates with Farragut, Sherman, and Grant — Arkansas Port — White River — Battle of Grand Gulf — Aids Grant in the Siege of Vicksburg — ^Expedition to the Sunflower Country — Fall of Vicksburg — Receives the Thanks of Congress — Made Admiral — Subsequent Operations on the Mississippi River — The Red Elver Expedition — A New Chapter in its History — Passage of the Falls near Alexandria by the Fleet — Bailey, Engineer of the Dams, rewarded by Porter — Renders Sherman valuable Aid in his March to Chattanooga — Various Operations in his extensive District of Command — Returns North to Visit his Family — ^Placed over the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron — The First Expedition against Fort Fisher — The Bombardment — Second Expedition — The Attack — The Victory — Aids Grant in his last Movement against Lee — His Character — Present Command 320

CONTENTS.

Chapter XV

COMMANDER WILLIAM B. GUSHING.

TAOa

iliti N.itivitj — Enters the Naval Academy — His Resignation — Enters tlie Naval Service — Expedition against Franlilin, in Virginia — A Second Expedition — Loses his Vessel — Attempt to Capture Wilmington Pilots — Takes a Fort by Assault — Commands a Gunboat in the Nansemond — A Severe Battle — Charges Rebel Cavalry — Anecdotes of hun — Destroys a Blockade Runner- Plans the Destruction of the Albemarle by a Torpedo — His Boldness and Success — Miraculous Escape — Complimentary Letter of the Secretary of the Navy — Sent to Destroy the Raleigh— Takes part in the Boml^ardmcnt of Fort Fisher— His present Position. . 383

CHAPTER XV I.

REAR-ADMIRAL STEPHEN C. ROWAN.

His Nativity. — Appointed Midshipman.— Cruise Round the World— On Duty in New York— Passed Midshipman— Serves in the West Indies— His Services in the Florida War— Joins the South Sea Exploring Expedition— Promoted to Lieutenant — On the Coast Survey — Cruises on Coast of Brazil and in the Mediterranean — Serves under Dupont on the Coast of Cahfornia— Mexico — At Monterey— At Mazatlan— Land March and Fight with Mexicans— Is Wounded — Other Services during the War— Inspector of Ordnance in New York Navy Yard — Commands Receiving Ship North Carolina — At Breaking out of the Rebellion put in Command of the Pawnee — Covers Washington, etc. — Sent to Relieve Sumter— In the Potomac — Fires the First Naval Gun in the War— Matthias Point— Gallant Conduct— Fort Hatteras— Commands a Division in Bumside's Expedition — Destroys the Rebel Fleet — A Daring Act — After Services— Commands the Fleet— Cooperates with Bumside in rAOB

the Attack on Newbern — Ordered to fit out the Roanoke — Commands the Ironsides under Dahlgren at Charleston — His Services — A Gallant Fight — Promoted to Commodore — The Ironsides damaged by a Torpedo — Rowan Returns with her to Philadelphia for Repairs — Promoted to Rear- Admiral — Now Commands the Norfolk Nary Yard 401

Chapter XVII

COMMODORE S. P. LEE.

lis Birth — Commands the Oneida in the Passage of the Forts below New Orleans — Demands the Surrender of Vicksburg — Placed over the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron — His Services here — Fight between the Ram Albemarle and our Vessels in the Albemarle Sound — Placed over the Mississippi Fleet — Co-operates with the Army in the Campaign against Hood — Complimentary Letter from General Thompson - 416

Chapter XVIII

COMMODORE THORNTON A. JENKINS.

His Nativity — Enters the Service — First Cruise — On the Coast Survey — Light-house Duty — Serves in the Mexican War — Commands Hydrographic Party in Coast Survey — Brings Home Prisoners from Mexico — Employed in Secret Service in Virginia — His Services in the James River — In the West Gulf

PAGE.

Blockading Squadron — Made Fleet Captain to Famigut — His Services— Is Wounded — In the Action below Mobile — Farragut's Opinion of him — Chief of Bureau of Navigation 423

Chapter XIX. Rear-admiral Henry Kxox Teatciier

Rank a Test of Merit as well as Victories — Thatcher's Birth and Early Education — Enters the Navy — First Cruises — Cruise to Suppress the Slave-Trade — Promotion — Breaking out of the Rebellion — Commands in the Gulf Blockading Squadron — His Gallantry in the Bombardment of Fort Fisher — Porter's Eulogy of him — Commands the Squadron in Mobile Bay — Sinking of Vessels by Torpedoes — Capture of Mobile — His After Services on the Mississippi and at Galveston — Destruction of the Rebel Vessel "Webb — Commands the Gulf Squadron. . . . 426

Chapter XX

COMMODORE V>'ILLIAM D. PORTER.

His Nativity — Breaking out of the Rebellion — His Letter to the Government — Sent to the Western Department — Turns a Ferry-boat into a Gunboat — Names her the Essex — On Watch above Columbus — Challenges the Enemy — Attack on Fort Henry — Is Wounded — Overhauls the Essex — Designs two

PAGE

Other Gunboats— Joins Davis before Vicksburg- -The Ram Arkansas— Porter's Bold Attack on her— Desperate Undertaking— Aids General Williams at Eaton Rouge— Destroys the Ram Arkansas — At Bayou Sara — Asks for Aid to prevent the Erection of Works at Port Hudson — Bums Bayou Sara — Bombards Natchez— Runs the Batteries at Port Hudson— Made Commodore — His Sickness — Obtains Leave of Absence — Ilis Death. . . . -434

Chapter XXI

REAR-ADMIRAL JOHX A. DAHLGREN.

His Birth and Ancestry— Enters the Navy— First Cruise— -On the Coast Survey, Under Kasslcr — Distinguished as a Mathematician — Ilassler's Estimation of his Ability — Made Saihng-Master in the Southern Explorbg Expedition- Declines the Appointment— Loses the Use of his Eyes — Goes to Paris — Paixhan Guns— Goes on a Farm — Cruise in the Mediterranean— Assigned to Ordnance Duty — Placed over the Rocket Department — His Labors— Tests the Range of the 32-Pounders of the Navy — Originates the Boat Howitzer- Resolves to Revolutionize Naval Armament — History of his DifSculties and Final Success— Shell Guns— Publishes his Work on Boat Armament — Other Works — " Shells and Shell Guns" — Sails in the Plymouth to test his own Guns — Settles DifSculties in Mexico — Designs a Foundery — Rifled Guns — Placed over the Navy Yard at ■Washington — Prepares for an Attack — Account of his Services here — Interview with President Lincoln — Chief of the Bureau of Ordnance — His Son Ulric — Placed over the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron — His Services before Charleston, and his Difficulties with Gilmore — Close of the War — Impressive Funeral Ceremonies of his Son — Ilis Character. . . - 456

Chapter XXII. Eear-admiral Hiram Paulding

PAGE.

A Navy -Yard in Time of War — Paulding's Birth and Parentage — Enters the Navy — Sword Voted him by Congress for his Gallantry in the Battle of Lake Champlain — Cruise after Mutineers in the Islands of the Pacific — Publishes a Journal of it — Promotion — Breaks up Walker's Filibustering Expedition to Nicaragua — His Action not Wholly Approved by Government — The President of Nicaragua Presents him with a Swoi'd — Not Allowed to Accept a Tract of Land — At the Breaking out of the Rebellion Sent to Destroy the Navy-Yard at Norfolk — Description of the Scene — Appointed Commandant of the Navy-Yard at New York — Contracts for the First Armored Vessels. ......... 495

Chapter XXIII

REAR-ADMIRAL JAMES S. PALMER.

His Nativity — Enters the Navy — Length of Sea-Service — At the Beginning of the War Sent in the Iroquois in Search of the Privateer Sumter — Blockades her in the Harbor of St. Pierre — Her Escape — Condemnation of Palmer — His Vindication — Joins Farragut above New Orleans — Demands the Surrender of Baton Rouge — Of Natchez — Leads the Line in Passing Vicksburg — Commands the Flag Ship in the Passage of Port Hudson — Commands the West Gulf Blockading Squadron — With Admiral Thatcher in the Capture of Mobile — Highly Complimentary Letter of the Latter.

28 COI^TENTS.

Chapter XXIV. Captain John Lorimer Worden

PAGH

Hia Nativity — Early Services — Serves in the War with Mexico — First Lieutenant in the Brooklyn Navy Yard — Before Hostilities Commenced in 1861, was Sent to Peusacola with Secret Despatches — His Success and after Imprisonment — Exchanged — Loses his Health — Put in Command of the New Monitor — Fight with the Merrimac in Hampton Roads — Is Wounded — Commands the Montauk — Attacks Fort M'Alister — Destroys the Privateer Nashville — Takes Part in the Attack of the Iron-Clads on Fort Sumter — His Present Command. .... .512