Naval officer; born in
Portland, Me., Feb. 25, 1816; nephew of
Edward Preble: entered the navy as midshipman, Oct. 10, 1835; served in the Mediterranean and the
West Indies; became passed midshipman in 1841; served in the
Florida War, and in the
St. Louis went round the world as acting master and acting lieutenant.
He also served in the war with
Mexico as executive officer of the
Petrel.
He became lieutenant early in 1848, while yet in service against
Mexico; and from 1849 to 1851 he was attached to the coast survey, also in 1852-53.
He was in the expedition to
Japan and
China (1852-56), and destroyed
Chinese pirates in 1854.
Afterwards he was with the
South Pacific Squadron; and during the
Civil War he was an active commander in the
Gulf region.
He was with
Farragut at New Orleans in May, 1862, and in July was commissioned commander.
He commanded the naval brigade at the
battle of Honey Hill, S. C. In 1867 he was commissioned captain and became chief of staff of the Pacific Squadron.
After some important duties at
Washington, he was appointed commandant of the naval rendezvous at
Boston in 1871-72.
On Nov. 12, 1871, he was made commodore, and from 1873 to 1876 was commandant of the navy-yard at
Philadelphia.
On Sept. 30, 1876, he was made rear-admiral; commanded the
South Pacific Squadron, 1877-78; was retired as rear-admiral, 1878.
He died in
Boston, Mass., March 1, 1885.
