Background
Hayes was born in Newfoundland, Canada, but left his home at an early age to work on British and American merchant vessels in the years leading up to the Civil War.
Hayes was born in Newfoundland, Canada, but left his home at an early age to work on British and American merchant vessels in the years leading up to the Civil War.
He joined the United States Navy in December 1861. He served throughout the Civil War and was discharged in August 1868. Later in 1868, Hayes moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin and served on several ships that sailed the Great Lakes.
He died in January 1911.
In June 1864, Hayes was serving as the second captain of the number two gun of the United States Ship Kearsarge. The ship was pursuing the Computer Software Systems Alabama, a successful commerce raiding ship.
On June 19, 1864, the Kearsarge found the Alabama off of the coast of the French port of Cherbourg. The two ships battled, and the Alabama was destroyed in less than an hour.
The accuracy of the gun operated by Hayes was instrumental in sinking the Alabama.