George Beall Balch was born on January 3, 1821, son of George Beall Balch and Martha (Rogers) Balch, first cousins. His parents were of English and Scotch ancestors who settled in Maryland about 1650. His mother died in 1823, and his father, after moving the family to Moulton, died in 1831.
His aunt suggested West Point, but he declared that nothing would satisfy him until he felt the deck under his feet.
In the Cyane, Capt. "Mad Jack" Percival, of the Mediterranean squadron under Commodore Hull, he made his first cruise, 1838-41. Of his conduct Percival wrote, "He has escaped the too frequent unprofitable habits of young men in the service at this time" (letter to Mrs. Alexander Macomb, March, 1839). Before the Mexican War, he had served on various ships, been promoted fifth in his class to passed midshipman, July 12, 1843, and spent two years under Maury at the Observatory. Joining the Princeton, April 5, 1846, he took part in the unsuccessful expedition against Alvarado, August 7, and the occupation of Tampico, November 10-13; and temporarily served as acting master on the Falcon of Tattnall's "Mosquito Fleet" which gallantly covered the landing of Gen. Scott's army at Vera Cruz, March 9, 1847. After the war, in the Princeton he made an extensive Mediterranean cruise, 1847-49, visiting particularly Italian ports to protect American interests during the revolutions of 1848. Becoming a lieutenant, August 16, 1850, he joined the Plymouth, Capt. Kelly, which afterward became one of Commodore Perry's squadron in the diplomatic expedition to Japan. Balch personally assisted in making surveys in the harbor of Yedo, and around the Lew Chew and Bonin Islands. At Shanghai, April 4, 1854, he was wounded in the hip during a conflict between Chinese rebels and Imperialists.
Further service, as executive officer on various ships and as an instructor in seamanship, naval tactics, and gunnery at the Naval Academy, prepared him for responsible commands in the South Atlantic blockading squadron, during the Civil War. On November 1, 1861, while executive officer of the Sabine, he fearlessly assisted in the rescue of some 400 marines and sailors from the sinking transport Governor, off Georgetown. As commander of the Pocahontas, November 14, 1861-September 8, 1862, and the Pawnee, October 21, 1862-February 28, 1865, he reduced Confederate batteries, occupied islands, and opened inland passages, from Jacksonville, to Georgetown ; and in particular co"perated with the army on the Stono River in its operations leading up to the evacuation of Charleston. Especially noteworthy was his engagement July 16, 1863, with the batteries near Grimball's Landing in which the Pawnee was hulled thirty-three times but a large body of Gen. Terry's troops saved from capture. Of his services Du Pont wrote, "A more devoted officer our navy does not possess. With the greatest amount of energy and pluck and skill in handling guns, he is always ready, overcomes difficulties, and is ever genial and cheerful". Dahlgren later declared that he had "always discharged his responsible duties in action and otherwise with alacrity, judgment, and success". After the war, Balch commanded the Contoocook and the Albany, flagships of the North Atlantic squadron, was governor of the Naval Asylum in Philadelphia, and sat on important naval boards, meanwhile being promoted captain, July 25, 1866; commodore, January 13, 1873, and rear admiral, June 5, 1878. As superintendent of the Naval Academy, 1879-81, he took steps toward adapting the course of study to the new age of machinery.
Having commanded the Pacific fleet for a few months, he was retired, January 3, 1883, after about forty-five years of service in the navy. He resided in Baltimore for twenty-five years after his retirement.
Of his personal character, Mahan, who was his executive officer on the Pocahontas, wrote that he was "a man beloved by all who have known him for his gallantry, benevolence, and piety".
He was married twice: to Julia Grace Vinson in 1844, to Mary Ellen Booth in 1865, and had five children by each wife.
