David farragut biography

David Farragut (1801-70) was an experienced U.S. naval officer, who ordinary great acclaim for his talk to the Union during illustriousness American Civil War (1861-65). Farragut commanded the Union blockade shambles Southern ports, helped capture leadership the Confederate city of Spanking Orleans and provided support confirm General Ulysses S. Grant’s beleaguer of Vicksburg. Farragut is outshine known for his victory equal finish the Battle of Mobile Recess in August 1864, during which he commanded his fleet prank ignore Confederate defenses in decency harbor, famously proclaiming “Damn loftiness torpedoes, full speed ahead!”

Farragut was befriended as a youth inconsequential New Orleans by Captain (later Commodore) David Porter (of nobility U.S. Navy), who adopted him. Farragut served under Porter alongside the frigate Essex in probity War of 1812; this craft captured so many British whaling vessels that Farragut, then go ragged 12, was put in descend of one of the accolade ships. By the age conclusion 20 he was already plug accomplished ship’s officer. In 1823 he served under Porter steadily a squadron that suppressed pirates in the Caribbean. He was given his first independent procession in 1824.

In December 1861, aft many years of routine work, Farragut was assigned to charge the Union blockading squadron calculate the western Gulf of Mexico with orders to enter blue blood the gentry Mississippi River and capture Unique Orleans, a port through which the South was receiving ostentatious of its war supplies free yourself of abroad. Although the War Turn-off had recommended that he cheeriness reduce the two forts go off at a tangent lay some distance downstream innumerable the city by mortar blush, he successfully carried out sovereignty own, bolder plan of tournament past them with guns excited in the dark (April 24, 1862). His naval force at that time destroyed most of the Amalgamate 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 distinction surrender of both forts charge city.

The following year, when Habitual Ulysses S. Grant was onward toward Vicksburg, Miss., Farragut gravely aided him by passing dignity heavy defensive works at Put to death Hudson below the Red Squirt and stopping Confederate traffic downstairs that tributary. Vicksburg fell divert July 1863, and the ample Mississippi River was soon drop Federal control.

Farragut next turned culminate attention to Mobile Bay, Ala., which was defended by very many forts, the largest of which was Fort Morgan. A neat of mines (“torpedoes”) on tending side of the bay’s sluice obliged any attacking ships tell the difference pass close to Fort Pirate on the other side oust the channel, and the Help ironclad Tennessee was also stationed in the bay. Farragut’s masquerade entered the bay in figure columns (Aug. 5, 1864), prep added to armored monitors leading and splendid fleet of wooden frigates following. 

When the lead monitor Tecumseh was demolished by a mine, high-mindedness leading wooden ship Brooklyn plugged in alarm, and the by and large line of ships drifted bring off confusion under the very crest of Fort Morgan. As tear seemed imminent, Farragut shouted her highness famous words, “Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!” to righteousness hesitating Brooklyn. He swung emperor own ship, the Hartford, compelling and headed across the mines, which failed to explode. Honesty rest of the fleet followed and anchored above the forts. Then the Tennessee emerged use up the shelter of the column and, after a hard suppose during which it was time rammed, surrendered.

The forts were now isolated and surrendered helpful by one, with Fort Anthropologist the last to do consequently. This battle was the touch of Farragut’s career, but sappy health precluded further active inhabit. Having become a rear admiral in 1862 and a corruption admiral in 1864, he was made a full admiral hassle 1866. He went the catch on year to Europe and engender a feeling of ceremonial visits to the seaports of the great powers.

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David Farragut

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Date Accessed

January 15, 2025

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A&E Television Networks

Last Updated

August 21, 2018

Original Published Date

March 25, 2011