Farragut (DLG 6) - Naval Cruise Book

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David Glasgow Farragut was born at Campbell ' s Station, Tennessee on 5 July 1801. He was ap- pointed Midshipman, U. S. Navy on 17 December 1810, at the age of nine- He saw his first sea service in the frigate ESSEX in 1811 The next year, he was transferred to the USS INDEPEN- DENCE in the Mediterranean, where he re- mained until 1820. He then served with the famous Mosquito Fleet for the suppression of West Indian piracy until 1823 Farragut ' s first command was the schooner FERRET, in 1823, at the age of 22. Subsequent commands included the BOXER, DECATUR, ERIE, and SARATOGA. In 1848 he came ashore after thirty-seven years of continuous sea duty! His Civil War service began in January 1862, when Farragut was given command of the West Blockading Squadron. In his flagship USS HART- FORD he led his squadron up the Mississippi River, engaged and silenced the Chalmette bat- teries, after which he successfully demanded the surrender of New Orleans. In July 1862 Con- gress created the rank of Rear Admiral, to which Farragut was appointed. Throughout his cam- paigns on the Mississippi River, culminating in the seige and capture of Port Hudson in July 1863, he proved the soundness of his doctrine, The best protection against the enemy ' s fire is a well-directed fire from our own guns. His most brilliant victory was the Battle of Mo- bile Bay, 5 August 1864, when he led his squad- ron in the flagship HARTFORD through the minefields of Mobile Bay with the characteristic and now traditional phrase, DAMN THE TOR- PEDOES, FULL SPEED AHEAD! In November 1864, Admiral Farragut was ordered home in the HARTFORD and was received with great public honor, including the thanks of Congress. On 22 December 1864, Congress passed a bill creating the rank of Vice Admiral, signed by President Lincoln the next day and immedi- ately confirmed by the Senate for Admiral Farragut. On 25 July 1866, Congress created the rank of Admiral and he was immediately con- firmed in that rank. In 1867 he commanded the European Squadron with FRANKLIN as flagship. After his return to New York in 1868, his health failed. He died while on a visit to Portsmouth, New Hampshire on 14 August 1870. Admiral Farragut is buried in Woodlarwn Cemetery, Hastings-on-Hudson, New York ADMIRAL DAVID GLASGOW FARRAGUT, U. S. N. The ship ' s crest of the USS FARRAGUT is based on the Farragut family coat of arms which dates back to the 13th century. The family coat of arms is the red shield with the golden charger ' s shoe and nail emblazoned thereon. It originates with Don Pedro Farragut who was a knight with King lames I of Aragon and who helped drive the moors from Majorca and from Valencia. The eagle carrying th- taken from the sternpiece of the USS HARTFORD, wh: Admiral Farragut ' s flagship carrying him to victory during all of his battles. The four gold stars commemorate Admiral Farragut ' s being the first four star Admiral in the United States Navy In addition these stars represent the four ships which have thus far borne his name. The wh -around of waves, signifying that the Admire i The heroic phrase in the lower half of the ropes of gold is already traditionally remembered with Farragut ' s name and was spoken by him in the heat of battle at Mobile Bay.

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R. E. SPREEN Commander, U.S. Navy Commanding j r w I 4| F. J. KORB Lieutenant Commander Executive Officer

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