Background
Remey was born at Burlington, Iowa, and graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1859.
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George Collier Remey
Edit ProfileCareer
Initially assigned to the sloop United States Ship Hartford on the Asiatic Station, he returned to the United States with the outbreak of the Civil War and served in the gunboat Marblehead during the Peninsular Campaign, March–July 1862. And, afterward, in the blockade of Charleston. In April 1863, he assumed duties as Executive Officer in the screw sloop Canandaigua and during attacks on Fort Wagner briefly commanded Marblehead.
From 23 August to 7 September, he commanded a battery of naval guns on Morris Island, and on the night of 7–8 September led the second division of a boat attack on Fort Sumter.
The division made shore, but was smashed by gunfire. Following 13 months of imprisonment at Columbia, South Carolina (U.S.), Remey was exchanged and returned to duty, serving in the sidewheel steamship De Soto until the end of the war.
In 1866, he saw service off the west coast of South America. In 1870-1871, he participated in the Tehuantepec Survey Expedition.
After commanding the screw sloop Enterprise and service in the Mediterranean, he was appointed captain in 1885.
Four years later he assumed command of the protected cruiser Charleston, flagship of the Pacific Squadron. Commandant of the Portsmouth Navy Yard at the outbreak of the Spanish–American War, he was ordered to take charge of the Naval Base Key West, whence he directed the supply and repair of all naval forces in Cuban waters and organized supply lines to Army forces in Cuba. After peace returned, Rear Admiral Remey resumed duties at the Portsmouth Navy Yard.
In April 1900, he assumed command of the Asiatic Station and for the next two years guided the ships of that station through the diplomatic and military chaos that was China.
He then returned to the United States and served for a year as Chairman of the Lighthouse Board before retiring on 10 August 1903. Rear Admiral Remey died at Washington, District of Columbia on 10 February 1928.
In 1943, the destroyer United States Ship Remey (Doctor of Divinity-688) was named in his honor.
Membership
Remey and the surviving members of his party were forced to surrender.
