Allegiance United States
Union Role Naval officer Name Edward Simpson | Rank Rear Admiral Years of service 1840-1886 | |
Born March 3, 1824
New York City, New York ( 1824-03-03 ) Battles/wars Mexican-American War
American Civil War Died December 1, 1888, Washington, D.C., United States Education United States Naval Academy Battles and wars Mexican–American War, American Civil War Service/branch United States Navy, Union Navy | ||
Edward Simpson (March 3, 1824 – December 1, 1888) served as an officer in the United States Navy during the Mexican-American War and the American Civil War, eventually attaining the rank of rear admiral. His service included being assigned as commanding officer of several Navy ships and serving with distinction in various shore assignments.
Contents
- Early life
- US Navy career
- Pre Civil War service
- Civil War service
- Post war activity
- Post Navy career
- Promotions
- Honored in ship naming
- References
Early life
Edward Simpson was born on March 3, 1824 in New York City, New York.
U.S. Navy career
Simpson was appointed midshipman in the United States Navy in February 1840, shortly before his sixteenth birthday. He served afloat until late 1845, when he became a member of the first class of midshipmen to be trained at the new United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.
Pre-Civil War service
After graduation on July 9, 1846, Simpson reported to USS Vixen and participated in numerous bombardments during the Mexican-American War.
During the next 15 years, he served afloat in the Brazil Squadron and the China Squadron and with the U.S. Coast Survey, and ashore in two tours at the U.S. Naval Academy: first as gunnery instructor, then in 1860 as head of the department of ordnance and gunnery.
Civil War service
In May 1861, shortly after the outbreak of the American Civil War, Simpson moved with the Naval Academy to Newport, Rhode Island, where it was relocated for the duration of the war. In 1862 he became Commandant of Midshipmen.
In June 1863 he took command of the monitor, USS Passaic. He participated in bombardments at Charleston, South Carolina from July to November 1863. From July to December 1864, he commanded Isonomia in the East Gulf Blockading Squadron; and, then served from February to April 1865 as Fleet Captain of the West Gulf Blockading Squadron and of the forces attacking Mobile, Alabama.
Post-war activity
After the war, he alternated tours of command ashore and afloat with tours of ordnance duty, including a mission to Europe in 1870-72, and command of the Naval Torpedo Station in 1873 and again from 1874 to 1875. As of 1880, he was the officer in charge of the naval station in New London, Connecticut. In 1883, he was appointed president of a board to select a site for a government gun factory and made another study trip to Europe.
Promoted to Rear Admiral on February 9, 1884, he served as President of the Naval Advisory Board and President of the Board of Inspection and Survey until his retirement on March 3, 1886.
Post-Navy career
Rear Admiral Simpson died in Washington, D.C., December 1, 1888.
Promotions
Honored in ship naming
The destroyer USS Simpson (DD-221), commissioned on November 3, 1920, was named for in his honor.