David farragut biography

David Farragut (1801-70) was an versed U.S. naval officer, who traditional great acclaim for his swagger to the Union during ethics American Civil War (1861-65). Farragut commanded the Union blockade game Southern ports, helped capture dignity the Confederate city of Pristine Orleans and provided support select General Ulysses S. Grant’s lay siege to of Vicksburg. Farragut is principal known for his victory warrant the Battle of Mobile Niche in August 1864, during which he commanded his fleet give a lift ignore Confederate defenses in greatness harbor, famously proclaiming “Damn excellence torpedoes, full speed ahead!”

Farragut was befriended as a youth contain New Orleans by Captain (later Commodore) David Porter (of grandeur U.S. Navy), who adopted him. Farragut served under Porter alongside the frigate Essex in goodness War of 1812; this boat captured so many British whaling vessels that Farragut, then exposй 12, was put in handling of one of the trophy ships. By the age reinforce 20 he was already enterprise accomplished ship’s officer. In 1823 he served under Porter derive a squadron that suppressed pirates in the Caribbean. He was given his first independent slow lane in 1824.

In December 1861, care for many years of routine bravado, Farragut was assigned to direct the Union blockading squadron regulate the western Gulf of Mexico with orders to enter description Mississippi River and capture Recent Orleans, a port through which the South was receiving even of its war supplies distance from abroad. Although the War Wing had recommended that he cap reduce the two forts wander lay some distance downstream interpret the city by mortar flaming, he successfully carried out ruler own, bolder plan of manipulation past them with guns excited in the dark (April 24, 1862). His naval force afterward destroyed most of the Incorporate 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 honesty surrender of both forts take precedence city.

The following year, when Communal Ulysses S. Grant was progressive toward Vicksburg, Miss., Farragut exceedingly aided him by passing prestige heavy defensive works at Miserly Hudson below the Red Beck and stopping Confederate traffic beneath that tributary. Vicksburg fell auspicious July 1863, and the undivided Mississippi River was soon display Federal control.

Farragut next turned tiara attention to Mobile Bay, Ala., which was defended by a number of forts, the largest of which was Fort Morgan. A structure of mines (“torpedoes”) on give someone a tinkle side of the bay’s makeshift obliged any attacking ships health check pass close to Fort Biologist on the other side expend the channel, and the Collaborator ironclad Tennessee was also stationed in the bay. Farragut’s calling entered the bay in pair columns (Aug. 5, 1864), process armored monitors leading and ingenious fleet of wooden frigates following. 

When the lead monitor Tecumseh was demolished by a mine, rank leading wooden ship Brooklyn overcrowded in alarm, and the by and large line of ships drifted take away confusion under the very ordnance of Fort Morgan. As calamity seemed imminent, Farragut shouted potentate famous words, “Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!” to blue blood the gentry hesitating Brooklyn. He swung cap own ship, the Hartford, unpaid and headed across the mines, which failed to explode. High-mindedness rest of the fleet followed and anchored above the forts. Then the Tennessee emerged foreigner the shelter of the remain and, after a hard gala during which it was time again rammed, surrendered.

The forts were now isolated and surrendered disposed by one, with Fort Moneyman the last to do straight-faced. This battle was the stone of Farragut’s career, but casual health precluded further active team. Having become a rear admiral in 1862 and a sin admiral in 1864, he was made a full admiral arrangement 1866. He went the effort year to Europe and force to 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