Rash's Surname Index
Notes for William David PORTER
PORTER, William David, naval officer, was born in New Orleans, La., March 10, 1809; son of Com. David and Evelina (Anderson) Porter. He attended school in Philadelphia, Pa.; was appointed midshipman U.S.N., Jan. 1, 1823, was promoted lieutenant in 1833, and cruised in the Mediterranean squadron, 1833-43; was then transferred to the home squadron; commanded the store-ship Erie in 1849, and the Waterwitch in 1851, and was placed on the reserved list, Sept. 13, 1855, but was promoted commander, Sept. 14, 1859, and served in the Pacific squadron on the U.S. sloop St. Mary's. In 1861 he joined Commodore Foote in fitting out a gun-boat flotilla. He converted a ferry-boat into a powerful ironclad, which he named the Essex, in honor of his father's ship, and in command of this gunboat he accompanied the squadron up the Tennessee river, and engaged in the attack on Fort Henry, Feb. 6, 1862. He was badly scalded by the explosion of a boiler during the attack, but soon recovered and commanded the Essex at Fort Donelson, Feb. 14, 1862. In June, 1862, he passed the Mississippi batteries to join the fleet at Vicksburg, and on July 15, 1862, met and seriously injured the Confederate ram Arkansas, near Baton Rouge, La. He was promoted commodore, July 16, 1862; commanded the bombardment of Natchez, Miss., Sept. 2, 1862; attacked the batteries below Vicksburg and Port Hudson, and then proceeded to New Orleans. He was relieved of his command on account of failing health, and died in St. Luke's hospital, New York city, May 1, 1864.
| HOME | EMAIL | SURNAMES |
Return to The Pennocks of Primitive Hall website.
The information in this database may contain errors. If you find any questionable data, or if you have something to add my findings, please feel free to e-mail me by clicking on the "E-MAIL" link above. Thank you!
Page built by Gedpage Version 2.21 ©2009 on 07 July 2020