George F. Pearson

George Frederick Pearson (1799 – July 1, 1867) was rear-admiral of the United States Navy, commanding the Pacific Squadron during the later part of the American Civil War.

Early life and career George F. Pearson was born in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, in 1799 but lived most of his life in Massachusetts. He entered the U.S. Navy on March 11, 1815, as a midshipman, and his first ship was the frigate . In 1820 Midshipman Pearson served on the ship of the line . In 1822 he was on the ship of the line and passed for promotion at the West Indies station.

Pearson was commissioned lieutenant on January 13, 1825, and was given duty on the West Indies station. Lt. Pearson's assignment was on the schooner in the Mediterranean in 1826. In 1828, he was with the Mediterranean Squadron on the sloop-of-war . In 1829 he took a leave of absence which lasted until 1831 when he joined the sloop of war on the Mediterranean Station. From 1832 to 1836, he was again on leave, or waiting for orders or stationed as Ordinary at Boston until he was assigned to the the flagship for Commodore Alexander Dallas of the West Indies Squadron, where it conducted operations supporting the Second Seminole War.

Pearson was promoted to commander on September 8, 1841. After the sloop of war Boston completed repairs it set sail from New York under the command of Commander Pearson on November 7, 1846, to join the Home Squadron blockading the eastern coast of Mexico. Eight days out of port, Boston ran aground on Eleuthera Island in the Bahamas after encountering a storm. Boston was wrecked beyond salvage, but her entire crew survived the disaster.

On September 14, 1855, Pearson was promoted to captain.

Civil War On December 21, 1861, Captain Pearson was put on the retired list, but continued in command of the Portsmouth Naval Yard,