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12 unusual facts about David Farragut


Ceremonial ship launching

Admiral David Farragut's famous American Civil War flagship, steam sloop Hartford, was christened by three sponsors—two young ladies broke bottles of Connecticut River and Hartford, Connecticut spring water, while the third sponsor, a naval lieutenant, completed the ceremony with a bottle of sea water.

Charles Edward Emery

In July, 1861, he entered the United States Navy as third assistant engineer, and served on the “Richmond” during engagements at Pensacola, Florida, the Mississippi river passes, and finally under David Farragut.

Charles Heywood

From 1865 to 1867, he performed duty on board various ships, serving as Admiral Farragut's Fleet Marine Officer on the European Station and later in the same capacity in the North Atlantic Squadron.

Dauphin Island, Alabama

The phrase, "Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead," was spoken by U. S. Admiral David Farragut just a few hundred yards from Dauphin Island's shore.

Elizabeth Sorrell

Sorrell lived for many years at the family home on Farragut Street downtown and then on Victoria Street in a house, since demolished, within the St. Peter's Historical District.

Farragut, Tennessee

The town is named in honor of American Civil War Admiral David Farragut, who was born just east of Farragut at Campbell's Station in 1801.

Franklin Gardner

Gardner's forces at Port Hudson grew in size to approximately 16,000 in March 1863, when Admiral David Farragut succeeded in running two of his gunboats past Port Hudson.

Johnson K. Duncan

He commanded Forts Jackson and St. Philip at the time of their capture by Admiral David Farragut on April 25, 1862, and became a prisoner of war.

Joseph Smith Harris

Harris declined, repeatedly stating that he was under Coast Survey orders to proceed to Ship Island and report to Commodore Farragut.

Quaker Gun

After Admiral Farragut's two vessels passed by Port Hudson, the Union chose to never attack from the river again

Rye Beach, New Hampshire

A visit by Admiral David Farragut caused the building to be coined "Farragut House".

Yankee Buccaneer

In the early 19th century, Commander David Porter (Jeff Chandler) and his men receive orders via Lt. David Farragut (Scott Brady) that they are to fight piracy.


Edward Terry

After New Orleans, David Farragut's force moved up the Mississippi, and Terry was present when the salt water fleet ran the gauntlet at Vicksburg and joined Flag Officer Charles Henry Davis' riverine fleet above the Confederate stronghold.

Mobile Bay

On August 5, 1864, Admiral David Farragut led a Union flotilla through Confederate defenses and sealed off one of the last major Southern ports of the bay in the Battle of Mobile Bay, effectively cutting off another port for receiving supplies.