Background
Jeffers, William Nicholson was born on October 16, 1824 in Gloucester County, New Jersey, United States. Son of John Ellis and Ruth (Westcott) Jeffers.
Jeffers, William Nicholson was born on October 16, 1824 in Gloucester County, New Jersey, United States. Son of John Ellis and Ruth (Westcott) Jeffers.
Graduated from the United States Naval Academy, 1846.
Appointed midshipman United States Navy, 1840. Served in ship Vixen during Mexican War. Instructor United States Naval Academy, 1848-1849.
Served in Gulf of Mexico in ship Honduras on survey for interoceanic railway, 1852-1853, 57.
Commanded Water Witch in Brazil Squadron surveying Parana and LaPlata rivers, 1853-1856. Promoted Lieutenant, 1855.
Hydrographer in survey for canal route across Chiriqui Isthmus, Honduras, 1859-1860. Commanded ship Philadelphia in Potomac River, 1861.
Served in ship Roanoke in Atlantic blockade.
Commanded gunboat Underwriter in North Carolina sounds, 1862. Commanded ironclad Monitor, 1862. Promoted lieutenant commander, 1862.
Inspector of ordnance Washington (District of Columbia) Navy Yard, 1863-1865, chief of ordnance, 1873-1881.
Promoted captain, 1870, commodore, 1878. Introduced system of bronze and steel boat howitzers, 1875.
Converted smooth-bore guns used on ships to breech-loaded rifles for all calibers up to 12-inch. Author: Nautical Rules and Stowage, 1849.
A Concise Treatise on the Theory and Practise of Naval Gunnery, 1850.
Nautical Surveying, 1871. Care and Preservation of Ammunition, 1874. Editor Ordnance Instructions for the United States Navy, 4th edit, 1866, 5th edit, 1880.
Married Lucy Smith, September 17, 1850, 2 children.