Thomas Tingey Craven

Thomas Tingey Craven (December 30, 1808 – August 23, 1887) was a 19th-century United States Navy officer who rose to prominence during the Civil War.

Origins and education He was the oldest son of Tunis Craven, a navy purser, and Hannah (Tingey) Craven, the daughter of Commodore Thomas Tingey, a longtime commandant of the Washington Navy Yard. He was born in the commandant's residence at the Washington Navy Yard on December 30, 1808. His brother Tunis Craven also joined the navy, and perished with at the Battle of Mobile Bay. Another brother, Alfred Wingate, was a noted civil engineer who constructed railroads. Their father was reassigned to Portsmouth, New Hampshire from 1813 to 1823 and Thomas and Alfred attended the nearby Phillips Exeter Academy. On December 30, 1869, he was retired, but continued on duty in San Francisco until that office was dispensed with.

Family He married Virginia Wingate, and later Emily Henderson. He had eight children, and four of his sons attended the naval academy or were connected with the U.S. Navy: Charles Henderson (1843–1898), Henry Smith (1845–1889), Alfred (1846–1926) and Macdonough (1858–1919). His grandson (Henry's son) Thomas Tingey Craven served in the U.S. Navy in the early 20th century and played a prominent role in the development of naval aviation. His daughter Ida married Frank W. Hackett, who would go on to become Assistant Secretary of the Navy. He died at the Boston Navy Yard on August 23, 1887