Alexander Alderman Semmes

Alexander Alderman Semmes (January 18, 1825 – September 22, 1885) was a career United States Navy officer, who served with distinction in the American Civil War. He was a cousin of Confederate naval hero Raphael Semmes, and also of Confederate general Paul Jones Semmes.

Early life Alexander Alderman Semmes was born in Washington, D.C., on January 18, 1825.

Naval career Semmes became a midshipman on October 27, 1841. He attended the United States Naval Academy and became a passed midshipman on August 10, 1847. He was promoted to master on September 14, 1855, and to lieutenant the next day, September 15, 1855. He became a lieutenant commander on July 16, 1862, and commander on July 25, 1866. He attained the rank of captain on August 24, 1873, and was promoted to commodore on March 10, 1882.

In 1880, Semmes was made the third president of the Board of Inspection and Survey, which had been formed in 1868. He served as the board's president until June 1883. At the time of his death, he commanded the Washington Navy Yard.

Personal life Semmes married Mary Dorsey of Baltimore, Maryland, in 1864. He died in Hamilton, Virginia, in 1885 at the age of 60.