John Wilson Danenhower

Background

John Wilson Danenhower was born on September 30, 1849 in Chicago, Illinois, United States. He was the son of William W. Danenhower.

Education

Danenhower attended the public schools of his native city until he was seventeen when he secured an appointment to the United States Naval Academy.

Career

Danenhoweragent show was ordered to the European Squadron where he served on both the Plymouth and the Juniata. His next assignment was with the Portsmouth surveying party in the North Pacific; and in 1875, he was sent to the Naval Observatory for signal duty. He attained the rank of master in 1873 and was commissioned a lieutenant in 1879. In 1878, he showed signs of an unbalanced mind and was confined to an insane asylum for two months.

At the end of this period, he had recovered sufficiently to return to active duty and was assigned to the Vandalia which was sent to the Mediterranean with General Grant’s cruise.

While at Smyrna, he heard of the proposed Jeannette Arctic expedition and at once offered his services. He was accepted and joined Captain G. W. De Long at Havre, France, just before the Jeannette sailed for San Francisco. On this voyage, he acted as executive officer.

Upon the arrival at the Mare Island Navy Yard, the Jeannette was made ready for the northward voyage. These preparations, which were in charge of Danenhower and Lieutenant Chipp, were finally completed and the trip to the Arctic via Bering Strait began on July 8, 1879. A little later, when the ship became wedged in the ice pack, this desire to be always busy led him to start a school of navigation for the crew; but on December 22, 1879, he was rendered unfit for duty by an inflammation in his left eye, which constantly grew worse in spite of dark room treatments and many operations. Throughout the weary months of waiting Danenhower, practically lost to the expedition, bore his troubles bravely.

On June 12, 1881 the Jeannette was crushed in the ice in latitude 77° 15' north, longitude 1550 east; and from this point the party, dragging its boats and provisions over the ice, retreated toward the Asia mainland.

On this stage of the journey, which lasted over two months, Danenhower, although handicapped by having one eye bandaged and the other cohered with a dark goggle, trudged along resolutely.

At last open water was reached and the party set out for the Lena Delta in three boats which on September 12 became separated in a gale. The boat to which Danenhower was assigned under the command of Engineer George W. Melville weathered the storm and reached the eastern Lena Delta five days later. Here its crew was rescued by friendly natives and Danenhower started for the United States, where he arrived May 28, 1882.

His book, Lieutenant Danenhower’s Narrative of the Jeannette, which gives a graphic account of his experiences, was published this same year.

For the next few years, although in bad health, he acted as assistant commander of cadets at Annapolis. On April 11, 1887 he went to Norfolk to assume command of the Constellation; but the vessel grounded in going out of harbor; and Danenhower, much disturbed, returned to the Academy. There on April 20, while brooding over this mishap, he committed suicide.

Achievements

• Danenhower's name is connected with Jeannette Arctic expedition.

Works

More photos

• book

  • Lieutenant Danenhower's Narrative of the Jeannette

    (This is a pre-1923 historical reproduction that was curat...)

Personality

Danenhower wrote, in a letter to Mrs. De Long, “He is a hard worker, always writing the log or figuring over his navigation or provision account”.

Connections

Danenhower was married and had two children.

Father:

William W. Danenhower