Naval officer; born in
Saugus, Mass., June 13, 1821; appointed to the United States navy Jan. 12, 1838; resigned with the rank of lieutenant July 10, 1856; was sent to
Fort Sumter for the purpose of opening communication with
Major Anderson.
Before the expedition reached
Charleston the
Confederates had opened fire on
Fort Sumter and forced
Major Anderson to surrender.
He was subsequently appointed assistant
Secretary of the Navy, and held this post until the end of the war. He planned operations of the navy, including the capture of New Orleans.
He was sent by the United States government on the monitor
Miantonomoh to convey the
[
412]
congratulations of the United States Congress to Alexander II.
on his escape from assassination.
This was the longest voyage that had ever been made by a monitor.
His visit to
Russia materially aided the acquisition of
Alaska by the United States government.
He died in New York City, Oct. 29, 1883.