Benjamin W. Crowninshield

Biography

Benjamin W. Crowninshield devoted a lifetime to the United States Navy, sailing before the war in the Pacific and Caribbean and later commanding steam-powered ships that enforced the blockade of Confederate ports and helped safeguard American commerce. His calm judgment and knowledge of steam navigation were assets in the frustration of blockade runners.

He continued his service after the war, guiding younger officers, sharing his seafaring knowledge through reports and instruction, and carrying the traditions of the navy forward in quieter waters.