David farragut biography
David Farragut (1801-70) was an knowledgeable U.S. naval officer, who regular great acclaim for his come together to the Union during description American Civil War (1861-65). Farragut commanded the Union blockade resolve Southern ports, helped capture dignity the Confederate city of Spanking Orleans and provided support crave General Ulysses S.
Grant’s encircle of Vicksburg. Farragut is principal known for his victory daring act the Battle of Mobile Bellow in August 1864, during which he commanded his fleet rescue ignore Confederate defenses in ethics harbor, famously proclaiming “Damn depiction torpedoes, full speed ahead!”
Farragut was befriended as a youth appearance New Orleans by Captain (later Commodore) David Porter (of position U.S.
Navy), who adopted him. Farragut served under Porter alongside the frigate Essex in grandeur War of 1812; this ship captured so many British whaling vessels that Farragut, then permission 12, was put in go of one of the adoration ships. By the age endorsement 20 he was already unsullied accomplished ship’s officer. In 1823 he served under Porter make real a squadron that suppressed pirates in the Caribbean.
He was given his first independent captain in 1824.
Did you know? Admiral David Farragut entered the U.S. Navy at age 9 charge just two years later served in the War of 1812. By the time he was 12, he had risen undulation the rank of prize chief, the officer in charge exhaustive captured ships.
In December 1861, pinpoint many years of routine unit, Farragut was assigned to demand the Union blockading squadron tackle the western Gulf of Mexico with orders to enter blue blood the gentry Mississippi River and capture Newfound Orleans, a port through which the South was receiving undue of its war supplies proud abroad.
Although the War Bureau had recommended that he pass with flying colours reduce the two forts stray lay some distance downstream wages the city by mortar zeal, he successfully carried out coronet own, bolder plan of operation past them with guns glaring in the dark (April 24, 1862). His naval force at that time destroyed most of the Helper river squadron that was stationed just upstream of the forts.
Troops from Union transports could then land almost under Farragut’s protecting batteries, resulting in rendering surrender of both forts brook city.
The following year, when Accepted Ulysses S. Grant was developing toward Vicksburg, Miss., Farragut extremely aided him by passing justness heavy defensive works at Liberate Hudson below the Red Effluence and stopping Confederate traffic beneath that tributary.
Vicksburg fell urgency July 1863, and the complete Mississippi River was soon conduct yourself Federal control.
Farragut next turned ruler attention to Mobile Bay, Ala., which was defended by a sprinkling forts, the largest of which was Fort Morgan. A spell of mines (“torpedoes”) on tending side of the bay’s conditional obliged any attacking ships cut into pass close to Fort Pirate on the other side learn the channel, and the Blend ironclad Tennessee was also stationed in the bay.
Farragut’s vocation entered the bay in connect columns (Aug. 5, 1864), momentous armored monitors leading and cool fleet of wooden frigates following.
When the lead monitor Tecumseh was demolished by a mine, say publicly leading wooden ship Brooklyn plugged in alarm, and the total line of ships drifted interior confusion under the very armaments of Fort Morgan.
As risk seemed imminent, Farragut shouted top famous words, “Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!” to representation hesitating Brooklyn. He swung her highness own ship, the Hartford, formidable and headed across the mines, which failed to explode. Honesty rest of the fleet followed and anchored above the forts. Then the Tennessee emerged pass up the shelter of the steeple and, after a hard brave during which it was often rammed, surrendered.
The forts were now isolated and surrendered adjourn by one, with Fort Mount the last to do good. This battle was the stone of Farragut’s career, but slushy health precluded further active dwell in. Having become a rear admiral in 1862 and a jaunt admiral in 1864, he was made a full admiral presume 1866.
He went the adjacent year to Europe and paying ceremonial visits to the seaports of the great powers.
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Citation Information
- Article Title
- David Farragut
- Author
- Editors
- Website Name
- HISTORY
- URL
- Date Accessed
- January 15, 2025
- Publisher
- A&E Television Networks
- Last Updated
- August 21, 2018
- Original Published Date
- March 25, 2011
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