William F. Lynch

William Francis Lynch (1 April 1801 – 17 October 1865) was a naval officer who served in the United States Navy and later in the Confederate States Navy.

In 1848, Lynch led a 17-man expedition to study the Jordan River and the Dead Sea.The team mapped the Jordan's 27 rapids and cascades, and discovered that the river was 322 km. (200 miles) long, albeit with many twists and turns.

Personal life William F. Lynch was born in Virginia.

Early Navy service He was appointed a midshipman 26 January 1819, and first saw service with the USS Congress and next with the schooner USS Shark under Lieutenant Matthew C. Perry. Subsequent service included duty with Commodore David Porter's "Mosquito Squadron" in the West Indies and in the Mediterranean.

Middle East operations

Lynch had his first command, the Poinsett, from 3 March to 30 December 1839. The ship sailed on behalf of the United States Naval Hydrographic Office. A total of 16 men were a part of the trip, including John Y. Mason. Each boat was "assembled" and then placed on a carriage. His expedition ended with the exploration of the River Jordan and the Dead Sea.

Later in command of ships in North Carolina waters, he commanded southern naval forces during the Union attack on Fort Fisher, in December 1864 and January 1865.

Post-war retirement After the defeat of the Confederacy, he was paroled 3 May 1865 in Richmond, Virginia. He died in Baltimore, Maryland, on 17 October of the same year.

Namesake The USNS Lynch (T-AGOR-7) was named after Lynch.