Silas Stringham

Silas Horton Stringham (November 7, 1798 – February 7, 1876) was an officer of the United States Navy who saw active service during the War of 1812, the Second Barbary War, and the Mexican–American War, and who commanded the Atlantic Blockading Squadron at the beginning of the American Civil War.

Early life

Born in Middletown, New York, Stringham entered the Navy on November 15, 1809, aged only 11 years old, receiving promotion to the rank of midshipman on June 19, 1810 while serving under Captain John Rodgers in the frigate . He was present during the Little Belt affair in May 1811, and during the engagement with on June 23, 1812.

Early career

Having received his commission as a lieutenant on December 9, 1814, he was assigned to the brig , Captain Thomas Gamble, which was part of Stephen Decatur's squadron in the Barbary Wars, and helped to take an Algerine frigate. In early 1816, while Spark was at Gibraltar, a French brig, attempting to enter the bay in a heavy gale, capsized. Stringham and six seamen in a small boat, pulled over to the brig, and rescued five of the crew. He attempted to return to Spark, but could make no headway, so turned and pulled for the Algerian shore, but was wrecked in the heavy surf, with one of his crew and two of the Frenchmen drowned. he commanded the razee in the Home Squadron in 1843, then returned to the Brooklyn Navy Yard, serving as commandant in 1845–46.

Soon after the return of the Battle of Hatteras Inlet Batteries, acclaim for Strigham's performance gave way to criticism of Stringham for not taking his ships closer in, and continuing to attack along the coast. The fact that his ships drew too much water to enter the shallow coastal waters, and that he had been directly ordered to return immediately, eventually emerged, but apparently too late to soothe his irritation, as the next month, at his own request, he was relieved of his command. He was placed on the retired list on December 21, 1861.

Strigham served as Chairman of the Board to Examine the Robert I. Stevens Battery I, from November 1, 1861 to December 24, 1861.

As some small compensation on August 1, 1862 he was promoted to the rank of rear admiral on the retired list to rank from July 16, 1862.

Strigham served as Chairman of the Navy Yard Site Selection Board from August 12, 1862 to October 24, 1862.

On February 7, 1863, Stringham received the Thanks of Congress, presented "to Rear Admiral Silas H. Stringham, now on the retired list, for distinguished services in the capture of Forts Hatteras and Clark".

Though no longer on active duty, Stringham served as commandant of the Boston Navy Yard, 1864–66, and as port admiral of New York in 1870.

Later life Stringham died in Brooklyn, New York. He was buried at Green Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, New York.

Legacy

Two Navy ships have been named in his honor.