Career
Born in 1840 in Liverpool, England, Irlam immigrated to the United States and was living in New York when he joined the United States. Navy. He served during the Civil War as a seaman on the United States Ship Brooklyn. At the Battle of Mobile Bay on August 5, 1864, he was stationed at the ship"s wheel when Brooklyn took heavy fire.
Stationed at the wheel on board the United States.S. Brooklyn during action against rebel forts and gunboats and with the ram Tennessee in Mobile Bay, 5 August 1864.
When heavy enemy fire struck down several men at their guns and replacements were not available, Irlam voluntarily released 2 men who were stationed with him and carried on at the wheel with the assistance of only one of the crew throughout the furious battle.
