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{{Short description|United States Navy admiral (1818–1883)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2020}}
{{Infobox military person
| name = Stephen Decatur Trenchard
| image = Portrait of Stephen Decatur Trenchard from Men of the Century, 1896.png
| caption =
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1818|7|10}}
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1883|11|15|1818|7|10}}
| placeofburial_label = Place of burial
| placeofburial = [[Church of St. James the Less, Philadelphia|Church of St. James the Less]], [[Philadelphia]]
| birth_place = [[Brooklyn, New York]]
| death_place = [[New York City]]
| placeofburial_coordinates = 
| nickname =
| allegiance = {{flag|United States of America|1822}}
| branch = {{flagicon image|US Naval Jack 34 stars.svg}} [[United States Navy]]
| serviceyears = 1834–1880
| rank =[[File:USN Rear Admiral rank insignia.jpg|35px]] [[Rear admiral (United States)|Rear admiral]]
| unit =
| commands = {{USS|Vixen|1861|2}} {{USS|Keystone State|1853|2}} {{USS|Rhode Island|1860|2}} {{USS|Lancaster|1858|2}} {{USS|Hartford|1858|2}}
| battles =[[Second Seminole War]] [[Mexican-American War]] [[Second Opium War]] [[American Civil War]]
| awards =
| relations = [[Edward Trenchard]] (father)
| laterwork =
}}
'''Stephen Decatur Trenchard''' (July 10, 1818 – November 15, 1883) was a [[Rear admiral (United States)|rear admiral]] in the [[United States Navy]]. He was present at the [[Battle of Taku Forts (1859)|Battle of Taku Forts]] in 1859, and commanded the supply ship and gunboat {{USS|Rhode Island|1860|2}} throughout the [[American Civil War]], seeing action at both Battles of Fort Fisher. He later commanded the [[North Atlantic Squadron]].<ref name="journals">{{cite book |last1= Maclay |first1=Edgar Stanton |title=Reminiscences of the Old Navy, from the journals and private papers of Captain Edward Trenchard, and Rear-Admiral Stephen Decatur Trenchard |url=http://www.ebooksread.com/authors-eng/edgar-stanton-maclay/reminiscences-of-the-old-navy-from-the-journals-and-private-papers-of-captain-e-hci/1-reminiscences-of-the-old-navy-from-the-journals-and-private-papers-of-captain-e-hci.shtml |accessdate=19 November 2010 |year=1898 |publisher=[[G. P. Putnam's Sons]] |location=New York & London }}</ref>

==Biography==

===Early life and background===
Trenchard was born in [[Brooklyn, New York]], the son of U.S. Navy Captain [[Edward Trenchard]]<ref name="journals"/> and Eliza Sands Trenchard, the daughter of merchant and politician [[Joshua Sands (politician)|Joshua Sands]].<ref name="families">{{cite book |editor1-first=Burke |editor1-last=Arthur Meredyth |title=The prominent families of the United States of America |url=http://www.ebooksread.com/authors-eng/arthur-meredyth-burke/the-prominent-families-of-the-united-states-of-america-hci/page-10-the-prominent-families-of-the-united-states-of-america-hci.shtml |accessdate=19 November 2010 |year=1908 |publisher=The Sackville Press |location= London }}</ref> He was named for the distinguished naval officer [[Stephen Decatur]], a close friend of his father, and was a direct descendant of George Trenchard (1655–1712), from the village of Wolverton in [[Dorset]], who had come to the United States with [[William Penn]] in 1682.<ref name="families"/> Stephen's great-grandfather, also George, (1706–1780), was the Attorney-General of West New Jersey in 1767-75 and commanded the Salem Light Horse during the [[American Revolutionary War|Revolutionary War]].<ref name="journals"/>

===Early service===
Trenchard attended a school at [[Gambier, Ohio]], founded by Bishop [[Philander Chase]], with the intention of preparing for the [[Minister (Christianity)|ministry]], but instead decided to follow the example of his father and uncle [[Joshua R. Sands]], and join the Navy. After a probationary cruise in the Mediterranean aboard the frigate {{USS|Constitution||2}}, he received his warrant as [[midshipman]] on October 23, 1834, and was ordered to the [[receiving ship]] ''Concord'', at [[Portsmouth Naval Shipyard|Portsmouth]]. During the [[Second Seminole War]] Trenchard cruised in the West Indies, and on the coast of Florida, and had a tour of duty in the Mediterranean Sea aboard the sloop {{USS|Levant|1837|2}} under the command of [[Hiram Paulding]].<ref name="journals"/>

Promoted to [[passed midshipman]] on July 16, 1840,<ref name="hamersly">{{Cite web
|url= https://archive.org/stream/cu31924098819968/cu31924098819968_djvu.txt
|title=The records of living officers of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps: with a history of naval operations during the rebellion of 1861-5, and a list of the ships and officers participating in the great battles
|work=archive.org
|author=Lewis Randolph Hamersly
|year=1870
|accessdate=19 November 2010
}}</ref> he attended the [[Philadelphia Naval Asylum|Philadelphia Naval School]], then returned to the Mediterranean in 1841 to serve aboard the sloops {{USS|Preble|1839|2}} and {{USS|Fairfield|1828|2}}.<ref name="journals"/>

During the winter of 1845–46 he was aboard the schooner {{Ship|USRC|Gallatin|1830|2}} engaged in surveying the coast of [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]] and [[Florida]],<ref name="journals"/> and received his commission as [[lieutenant]] on February 27, 1847. He served aboard the sloop {{USS|Albany|1846|2}} in the [[Home Squadron]] in 1850–52, and in the receiving ship ''Philadelphia'' in 1853.<ref name="hamersly"/>

Trenchard served in the [[United States Coast Survey]] from 1854 to 1857.<ref name="hamersly"/> During the summer of 1856 he was in command of the U.S. Coast Survey ship {{USS|Vixen|1861|2}}, surveying the New England coast. On August 14, while off [[Cape Ann]], Trenchard rescued the crew of the British bark ''Adieu'', which had struck a reef and was breaking up. He received a sword from the British Government as a mark of gratitude, and although it was against the laws of the United States ([[Article One of the United States Constitution#Section 9: Limits on Congress|Article I, Section 9, of the U.S. Constitution]]) for its officers to accept awards from a foreign state, Congress passed a special act permitting him to receive it.<ref name="journals"/>

===Voyage of the ''Powhatan''===
In 1857 Trenchard was appointed executive officer of the sidewheel [[steam frigate]] {{USS|Powhatan|1850|2}}, under the command of Captain George F. Pearson, for an extended cruise to the [[Far East]] as part of the [[East India Squadron]]. The ship left [[Norfolk, Virginia]], on December 7, 1857, but a series of mechanical breakdowns meant that she did not get to sea until the 11th, proceeding to [[Madeira]] with the former President [[Franklin Pierce]], his wife [[Jane Pierce|Jane]], and their suite as passengers. The ''Powhatan'' made the run across the Atlantic without any further difficulties, reaching [[Funchal]] on the 27th, where the ex-President and his family went ashore.<ref name="journals"/>

The frigate departed Funchal on January 6, 1858, calling at [[Jamestown, Saint Helena]], where Trenchard visited [[Longwood House]], the scene of [[Napoleon I|Napoleon's]] captivity and death. On leaving Jamestown harbor ''Powhatan'' collided with the Dutch bark ''Stad Enchede'', sustaining minor damage. She towed the bark back to port and made repairs, leaving Saint Helena again the next day. ''Powhatan'' then shaped her course for China, calling at [[Cape Town]], [[Port Louis]], [[Banda Aceh|Acheen]], and [[Singapore]], arriving at [[Hong Kong]] on May 12, where the steamer {{USS|San Jacinto|1850|2}} was flying the [[broad pennant]] of Commodore [[Josiah Tattnall III]], who transferred his flag to the ''Powhatan'' to visit various ports in China and Japan.<ref name="journals"/>

Trenchard was aboard the ''Powhatan'' at the during the [[Battle of Taku Forts (1859)|Battle of Taku Forts]] in June 1859, when Commodore Tattnall, observing the desperate position of the British and French forces attempting to force their way up the [[Hai River]], exclaimed "[[Blood is thicker than water]]!" and went to their assistance despite the United States's neutrality in [[Second Opium War|the conflict]]. Soon after, when the United States concluded a treaty with China, Trenchard was part of Ambassador John Elliot Ward's retinue that traveled to Beijing where [[Treaty of Tientsin|treaties]] were formally exchanged. ''Powhatan'' then returned to the United States.<ref name="journals"/>

===Civil War===
On April 19, 1861, shortly after the start of the Civil War, Trenchard was given command of the gunboat {{USS|Keystone State|1853|2}} at Philadelphia. From there he sailed to [[Norfolk Naval Shipyard|Norfolk Navy Yard]], arriving there to find it in flames, as Union forces destroyed everything before the Confederates could capture it. Confederate forces had already sunk several vessels to block the channel, and the frigate {{USS|Cumberland|1842|2}} was in great danger, but ''Keystone State'' succeeded in towing her to safety. Flag Officer [[Hiram Paulding]] then transferred his flag to the ''Keystone State'' and proceeded to Washington.<ref name="journals"/>

====Supply ship commander====
On June 19, 1861, Trenchard was given command of the supply ship {{USS|Rhode Island|1860|2}}, formerly the ''Eagle'', a 236-foot side-wheel steamer built for the Charleston Line. Eight {{Convert|8|in|mm|sing=on}} guns were installed, while her bows were heavily plated with iron. An ice-house and other fittings were also added to her at the [[Brooklyn Navy Yard]].<ref name="journals"/>

Between July 1861 and November 1862 ''Rhode Island'' made nine voyages, operating between either New York or Philadelphia and the Gulf of Mexico, carrying supplies of food, guns, powder and ammunition to [[Union blockade|ships on blockade]], and transporting officers to their ships, and prisoners or sick or injured men to shore. She also captured the Confederate schooner ''Venus'', laden with lead, copper, tin, and wool, in December 1861.<ref name="journals"/>

Trenchard was promoted to [[Commander (United States)|commander]] on July 16, 1862.<ref name="hamersly"/>

With the [[capture of New Orleans]], [[Pensacola]], [[Port Royal, South Carolina|Port Royal]], [[Fernandina Beach, Florida|Fernandina]], and other southern ports by the Union in 1861–62, it became easier for the blockading squadrons to obtain fresh supplies, and only one steamer was considered necessary to maintain the service. The ''Rhode Island'' was therefore refitted in Boston as a gunboat, and rearmed with eight 8-inch broadside guns, a 3-pounder [[Parrott rifle|Parrott gun]], a rifled 12-pounder [[Dahlgren gun]], and an 8-inch Dahlgren aft. Her complement also was increased.<ref name="journals"/>

====Gunboat commander====
[[File:USS Monitor - H58758.jpg|thumb|''Rhode Island'' rescues the crew of the ''Monitor'' on December 30–31, 1862. Line engraving published in ''[[Harper's Weekly]]'', 1863.]]
''Rhode Island'' left Boston on December 5, 1862, on her maiden cruise as a gunboat. Trenchard's first important duty was to tow the ironclad {{USS|Monitor||2}} from [[Hampton Roads]] to [[Port Royal, South Carolina|Port Royal]]. Unfortunately, during the night the weather deteriorated, and the ''Monitor'' broached and sank. Trenchard sent his ships boats and saved most of the crew. On January 12, 1863, ''Rhode Island'' left Hampton Roads with the monitor {{USS|Passaic|1862|2}} in tow for Port Royal, arriving safely.<ref name="journals"/>

Trenchard was then ordered to join the search for the Confederate cruisers {{Ship|CSS|Florida|cruiser|2}} and {{Ship|CSS|Alabama||2}}. Trenchard pursued several suspicious vessels between Hampton Roads and Havana, then in company with {{USS|Santiago de Cuba|1861|2}} patrolled the [[Bahama Banks]]. Trenchard captured the ''Cronstadt'', a blockade-runner from [[Wilmington, North Carolina|Wilmington]] bound for [[Nassau, Bahamas]], with a cargo of cotton, tobacco, and turpentine on August 16. From November 1863 until March 1864, the ''Rhode Island'' was engaged in escorting mail-steamers in the West Indies. Finally ordered home, during her cruise she had boarded more than fifty vessels.<ref name="journals"/>

In October 1864 Trenchard was ordered to tow the new monitor {{USS|Monadnock|1863|2}} from [[Boston Navy Yard]] to [[Norfolk, Virginia]], accompanied by the {{USS|Massasoit|1863|2}} and the ''Little Addie''. Another serious loss was averted after the tow-line parted in a gale and the ships ran for shelter in [[Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts|Holmes's Hole]], before making [[Brooklyn Navy Yard]]. ''Rhode Island'' was then detached to sail to [[Colón, Panama|Aspinwall, Columbia]], to escort the valuable mail-steamer ''Costa Rica'' from there back to New York. ''Rhode Island'' then remained at New York anchored in the [[East River]] opposite [[Wall Street]], having her guns trained so as to protect Government properties from the threat of mob violence.<ref name="journals"/>

On November 22, 1864, ''Rhode Island'' departed New York, and a few days later, in company with {{USS|Mackinaw|1863|2}}, captured the British blockade-runner ''Vixen''. On December 24 ''Rhode Island'' took part in the failed [[First Battle of Fort Fisher|attack on Fort Fisher]], returning the next day to embark troops from the shore. ''Rhode Island'' resumed blockade duty, and prepared for the [[Second Battle of Fort Fisher|second attack]] which was a success. On the first day, January 13, 1865, ''Rhode Island'' was heavily engaged with Confederate batteries, and landed artillery for the army on the 14th and 15th, when the fort fell. In March Trenchard was ordered to take ''Rhode Island'' to [[Belfast, Maine]], in order to recruit men for the Navy, and was there when the war ended in April 1865.<ref name="journals"/>

===Post-war career===
In June 1865 Trenchard was appointed senior officer of the convoy service fleet, based at [[Cap-Haïtien]], and was promoted to the rank of [[Captain (United States)|captain]] in July, then served as executive officer of the Brooklyn Navy Yard<ref name="journals"/> in 1866–69.<ref name="hamersly"/> On September 9, 1865, he fell overboard while attempting to assist a ferryboat which had collided with another vessel. One of his men, Seaman [[John Taylor (Medal of Honor)|John Taylor]], rescued him from the water, for which Taylor was later awarded the [[Medal of Honor]].<ref>{{Hallofvalor|1814|John Taylor|accessdate=August 10, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book | last = Maclay | first = Edgar Stanton | authorlink = Edgar Stanton Maclay | title = Reminiscences of the Old Navy: From the Journals and Private Papers of Captain Edward Trenchard and Rear-Admiral Stephen Decatur Trenchard | publisher = [[G. P. Putnam's Sons]] | date = 1898 | location = New York | pages = [https://archive.org/details/reminiscencesol02maclgoog/page/n361 341]–2 | url = https://archive.org/details/reminiscencesol02maclgoog }}</ref>

Trenchard commanded the [[screw sloop]] {{USS|Lancaster|1858|2}}, flagship of the [[South Atlantic Squadron]], in 1869–71, then, with the rank of [[Commodore (United States)|commodore]], served for three years as an [[United States Lighthouse Board|Inspector of the Third Lighthouse District]].<ref name="journals"/>

On August 10, 1875, Trenchard attained the rank of [[Rear admiral (United States)|rear admiral]] and commanded the [[North Atlantic Squadron]], with the {{USS|Hartford|1858|2}} as his flagship. In 1876, during the controversy over the [[1876 United States presidential election|Hayes-Tilden presidential election]] Trenchard was in command of a Naval Brigade that was stationed in Washington D.C., to preserve order. Fortunately the anticipated riots did not occur. After serving on a special board in Washington, he retired on July 10, 1880.<ref name="journals"/>

In 1879–80 Trenchard was the senior vice-commander of the New York Commandery of the [[Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States|Loyal Legion]]. He died in New York City, on November 15, 1883.<ref name="journals"/> and is buried in the churchyard of [[Church of St. James the Less, Philadelphia|Church of St. James the Less]] in [[Philadelphia]].

==Personal life==
Trenchard married Anne O'Connor Barclay, the daughter of Captain John Mortimer Barclay, U.S. Army, in December 1848. They had one child, a son named Edward Trenchard (1850–1922), who was a noted [[marine art]]ist.<ref name="journals"/>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Find a Grave|6829}}

{{S-start}}
{{S-mil}}
{{succession box|title=Commander-in-Chief, [[North Atlantic Squadron]]|before=[[William E. Le Roy]]|after=[[John Cummings Howell|John C. Howell]]|years=September 1876–September 1878}}
{{S-end}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Trenchard, Stephen Decatur}}
[[Category:1818 births]]
[[Category:1883 deaths]]
[[Category:Military personnel from Brooklyn]]
[[Category:American people of English descent]]
[[Category:Union Navy officers]]
[[Category:United States Navy admirals]]
[[Category:Burials at the Church of St. James the Less]]

Stephen Decatur Trenchard - Revision history

imported>Rhodientroupie at 20:27, 5 July 2024