Francis Munroe Ramsay

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File:Francis Munroe Ramsay.jpg
Francis Munroe Ramsay, 1892

Admiral Francis Munroe Ramsay (April 5, 1835 – July 19, 1914) was an officer in the United States Navy who distinguished himself in the American Civil War, and who later served as Chief of the Navy's Bureau of Navigation.

Early life and career

Born in the District of Columbia, Ramsay was appointed midshipman on October 5, 1850.[1] After training in Script error: No such module "WPSHIPS utilities". and in Script error: No such module "WPSHIPS utilities"., he graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1856. He subsequently served in Script error: No such module "WPSHIPS utilities". with the Brazil Squadron; in Script error: No such module "WPSHIPS utilities". with the Pacific Squadron; on ordnance duty at the Washington Navy Yard; and in Script error: No such module "WPSHIPS utilities". when working with the Royal Navy's Commander-in-Chief, Cape of Good Hope and West Africa.

Civil War service

On March 23, 1863, he assumed command of Script error: No such module "WPSHIPS utilities"., for duty in the Mississippi Squadron. In that gunboat, he participated in Yazoo River operations during April and May. Then on June 7, he supported a Union garrison at Milliken's Bend, Louisiana in holding off some 4,000 Confederate troops. Moving on to Vicksburg, he commanded a battery of heavy guns mounted on scows in exposed positions before the city, June 19 – July 4. After the capture of the river stronghold, he was given command of the 3d Division, Mississippi Squadron.[1]

During February and March 1864, he led expeditions up the Black and Ouachita Rivers and from mid-March to early May participated in Rear Admiral David Dixon Porter's expedition up the Red River. On September 28, he was transferred to the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron in command of Script error: No such module "WPSHIPS utilities"..

He participated in the amphibious assaults on Fort Fisher December 24, 1864 and on January 13, 1865, and in subsequent attacks against Fort Anderson and other forts along the Cape Fear River. In April, he assisted in removing torpedoes (mines) from the James River and was present at the capture of Richmond.

Post-Civil War service

After the Civil War, Ramsay served in many and varied positions afloat; as Fleet Captain, South Atlantic Squadron and as commanding officer of Script error: No such module "WPSHIPS utilities"., Script error: No such module "WPSHIPS utilities"., Script error: No such module "WPSHIPS utilities"., Script error: No such module "WPSHIPS utilities"., and Script error: No such module "WPSHIPS utilities".. Ashore, he served at the Naval Academy, at Newport, in London as naval attaché, and at Boston and New York as commandant of the Navy Yards. In 1889 he became Chief of the Bureau of Navigation and remained in that post until his retirement April 5, 1897.

He was promoted to rear admiral on April 5, 1894, and died in Washington, D.C. July 19, 1914.[2]

Legacy

In 1918, the destroyer Script error: No such module "WPSHIPS utilities". was named in his honor.

See also

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References

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Academic offices
Preceded byTemplate:S-bef/checkTemplate:Succession box/check Superintendent of United States Naval Academy
1881-1886 Template:S-ttl/check
Template:S-aft/check Succeeded by

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