USN Alden, James Jr. - Captain

James Alden Jr.​

Born: Mach 31, 1810

Birthplace: Portland, Maine

Father: Captain James Alden Sr. 1775 – 1853

(Buried: Eastern Cemetery, Portland, Maine)​

Mother: Elizabeth Tate 1780 – 1824

(Buried: Eastern Cemetery, Portland, Maine)​

Wife: Sarah Ann Thompson 1815 – 1889

(Buried: Eastern Cemetery, Portland, Maine)​

Occupation before War:

1828 – 1834: Midshipman for United States Navy​

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Assigned to the Naval Station at Boston, Massachusetts​

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Served in the Mediterranean on the U.S.S. John Adams​

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Served on 2 World Tours with United States Navy​

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1834 – 1841: Passed Midship for United States Navy​

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1838 – 1842: Went on his voyage​

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1840: Saw action at Malolo in the Fiji Islands in Punitive Expedition​

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1841 – 1855: 1st​ Lt. United States Navy​

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Executive Officer for U.S.S. Porpoise​

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Assigned to the U.S.S. Constitution during Capt. Percival's Cruise​

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1846 – 1847: Served in the Home Squadron during Mexican War​

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1847: Served in the Capture of Vera Cruz, Mexico​

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1847: Served in the Battle of Tuxpan, Mexico​

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1847: Served in the Second Battle of Tabasco, Mexico​

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1847 – 1849: Inspector of Provisions and Clothing in Boston, Massachusetts​

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1849 – 1851: Served on the United States Coast Survey​

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1852: Surveyed from San Francisco, to San Diego, California​

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1852 – 1861: Commander of U.S.S. Steamer Active​

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1855 – 1866: Commander in United States Navy​

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1859: Served in the Pig War​

Civil War Career:

1861: Commander of U.S.S. South Carolina for relief of Fort Pickens​

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Transferred blockade duty off Galveston, Texas​

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Captured 13 Confederate Schooners off Galveston, Texas​

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1863 – 1871: Captain in United States Navy​

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Commander of U.S.S. Richmond when Union fleet passed Ft. Jackson​

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1864: Commander of U.S.S. Brooklyn at Battle of Mobile Bay, Alabama​

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1864: Served in the attacks at Fort Fisher, North Carolina ​

Occupation after War:

1866 – 1871: Commodore in United States Navy​

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Commander of U.S.S. Susquehanna, and U.S.S. Minnesota​

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Commandant of Mare Island Navy Yard​

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1869 – 1871: Chief of U.S. Navy, Bureau of Navigation​

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1871 – 1873: Rear Admiral of the United States Navy​

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1871 – 1873: Commander of U.S.S. Wabash​

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1872: Placed on Retired List, but stayed in command until relieved​

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1873: Sailed for his home on the U.S.S. Brooklyn​

Died: February 6, 1877

Place of Death: San Francisco, California

Age at time of Death: 66 years old

Place of Death: Eastern Cemetery, Portland, Maine

 

[Pollaco]

His hesitating momentarily while at the helm of the USS Brooklyn in Mobile Bay at the sinking of the monitor USS Tecumseh by a torpedo is what caused Admiral Farragut to utter those famous word "**** the torpedoes! Full speed ahead"!

 

[Pollaco]

He again commanded the USS Richmond in the successful passage of Port Hudson on the night of March 14-15, 1863.

 

[Pollaco]

He also commanded the USS Brooklyn at the second attack on Fort Fisher where it lost 3 wounded and 2 missing.

 

[John Hartwell]

[New York Herald, 7 February 1877]

[Brooklyn Daily Eagle, 7 February 1877]​