David
Porter
was born in Pennsylvania in 1813. The son of Commodore David Porter,
in 1824 he sailed with his father to the West Indies to suppress piracy.
After a serving in the Mexican Navy (1827-29) he joined the US
Navy in 1829. Over the next thirty years he served in the Mediterranean,
the South Atlantic and the Gulf.
On the outbreak of the the outbreak of the American
Civil War Porter was given command of the USSS Powhatan
and in December, 1861, joined with his foster brother, David
Farragut, on the New Orleans expedition.
Porter and Farragut captured the forts guarding the port in April,
1862 and troops led by General Benjamin
F. Butler occupied the city soon afterwards.
After this success Porter took command of the Mississippi Squadron
and working with General William T. Sherman
captured Arkansas Post in January, 1863. He
also took part in the Vicksburg campaign
in July, 1863. As commander of the North Atlantic Squadron, he participated
in the capture of Fort Fisher, North Carolina.
Porter received four Thanks of Congress
during the war. Promoted to the rank of Vice Admiral in 1866, he was
superintendent of the Naval Academy, until being appointed Admiral
in 1870. David Porter died in Washington
on 13th February, 1891.
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