United States Navy - Commodore - NEW

Item NMC-12078

Description

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.
 
In March and April, 1861, Stringham was Chief, Organization Office, U.S. Navy. He took command of the USS Minnesota in April 1861. He was Flag officer of the Atlantic Blockading Squadron from June 8, 1861 to September 18, 1861.  In August he was sent with troops under General Benjamin F. Butler, to capture two coastal forts near Cape Hatteras. In the ensuing battle, the fortifications were captured without loss, though not without some difficulty owing to the weather, and the fleet returned to Fort Monroe to general acclaim.
 
Soon after the return of the Battle of Hatteras Inlet Batteries, acclaim for Stringham'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.
 
Stringham 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.
 
Stringham 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.
 
Source:  Wikipedia