Captain Robert Townsend was a Civil War-era ship Captain in the United States Navy.
Background
Robert Townsend was born on October 21, 1819 in Albany, New York to Isaiah and Hannah Townsend. His father was an executive of the Stirling Iron Works which under his great-grandfather Peter Townsend forged The Great Chain which was strung across the Hudson River at West Point and prevented the British Royal Navy from threatening that important American base and potentially controlling the river. His grandfather was Captain Solomon Townsend who was a merchant ship captain before the American Revolution. Robert Townsend was descended from John and Henry Townsend, New York, among the first settlers of that area in the early 17th century.
Education
He entered Union College in 1834.
He attended the naval school at Philadelphia for one year, and was warranted passed midshipman on completion of his course.
Career
He was appointed a midshipman in the navy, August 4, 1837. The following year he was sent in the Ohio to the Mediterranean, where he remained for two years.
The opening of the Mexican War found him on the brig Porpoise, attached to the squadron of Commodore David Conner off the coast of Mexico. In this vessel he participated in the expedition against Tampico (November 14, 1846) and assisted in the capture of a Mexican schooner, the Ormigo. He also took part in the siege and occupation of Vera Cruz and San Juan d'Ulúa.
After the capitulation of Vera Cruz, he was permitted by his commanding officer to join the army temporarily. He served with it for six months, taking part in the march on Mexico city and its capture. He saw but little active service after the war, and resigned from the navy, April 7, 1851.
Possessed of ample means, he lived in retirement in Albany until 1861, when he offered his services to his government. Appointed acting lieutenant in September, he was assigned to the Harriet Lane of the Potomac flotilla. Three months later he was ordered to the Miami on blockade duty off North Carolina.
The following summer he was reinstated in his regular position in the navy, with the rank of commander. He was now given command of the Miami, and rendered most efficient service in patrolling Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds. In July 1863 he was transferred to the Mississippi and given command of the steam iron-clad Essex, in which he participated in the siege and capture of Port Hudson. As a division commander under Admiral David Dixon Porter, he also participated in the Red River expedition and in subsequent operations on the Mississippi.
Just before the close of the war he was given command of the Wachusett, with orders to sail by way of the Cape of Good Hope and join the East India Squadron off the Chinese Coast. On the coast of China he rendered valuable service in protecting the lives of American missionaries and consuls, without injury to the prestige of the native authorities. He died on his ship off Chin-Kiang-Fu of congestion of the brain due to the excessive heat. Three weeks before his death he had been promoted to the rank of captain. Though a man of scholarly tastes, and devoted to his home and family, he did not hesitate to volunteer his services when they were needed.
Robert Townsend's body was returned to America and is interred at the Albany Rural Cemetery in New York.
Achievements
Interests
He was the owner of the most valuable private library in Albany.
Connections
He married Harriet Monroe of Syracuse, N. Y. , in 1850, and had one son and two daughters.