Career
Born in Massachusetts, Swasey was appointed midshipman on 28 September 1854, and commissioned lieutenant on 31 August 1861. Swasey served aboard Varuna in the engagement with the steamer Computer Software Systems Governor Moore below New Orleans, Louisiana, on 24 April 1862. He then served as executive officer of Sciota on the West Gulf Blockading Squadron.
Lieutenant Swasey was wounded during an engagement with Confederate forces near Donaldsonville, Louisiana, on 4 October 1862, and died the same day.
He is buried at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Taunton, Massachusetts. Two ships have been named United States Ship Swasey in his honor.