Stephen Decatur Trenchard

Background

Stephen was born on July 10, 1818 in Brooklyn, N. Y. He was a descendant of George Trenchard who came to America with the followers of William Penn.

Education

At the age of eleven, intending to become an Episcopal clergyman, he enrolled at Kenyon College, Gambier, Ohio, an institution conducted by Bishop Philander Chase; but on October 23, 1834, he entered the navy as a midshipman. His studies under the Bishop made a lasting impression on him.

In 1840, after one year's study at the naval school in Philadelphia, he was warranted a passed midshipman.

Career

He served in the Mediterranean, at the end of which time he was assigned to the coast survey. On this duty his ship, the brig Washington, was nearly wrecked off the coast of North Carolina and the captain and ten seamen were drowned. The following spring, the brig having been repaired, he sailed with her under Lieut. Samuel Phillips Lee and joined Commodore Perry's squadron off Vera Cruz. The Washington took part in the expedition against Tabasco in June 1847, but on July 4 was ordered back to coast-survey duty. Commissioned lieutenant the same year, he was occupied mainly in coast-survey work until 1857.

On August 14, 1856, while in command of the Vixen, he rescued the sinking British bark Adieu off Gloucester, Massachusset

He sailed with the Powhatan (East India Squadron) on her diplomatic cruise to China and Japan (1857 - 60). On this cruise Trenchard was Commodore Tattnall's flag-lieutenant, accompanying him on his visit to the British Admiral Hope, and participating in the British action on Peiho River, China, June 25, 1859, where he was wounded.

At the outbreak of the Civil War, he was assigned to the command of the Keystone State (April 19, 1861), and three days later arrived at Hampton Roads, where he witnessed the burning of the Norfolk Navy Yard. He assisted in saving the Cumberland from capture, and brought off Commodore Paulding and the marine garrison. Three months later he was transferred to the steamer Rhode Island with orders to transport supplies to the blockading squadrons. After eighteen months of this arduous duty, his ship, armed for cruiser warfare, was assigned to blockade duty. While towing the original Monitor (December 31, 1862), the Rhode Island ran into a heavy storm. The Monitor foundered, but owing to Trenchard's vigilance and expert seamanship, most of her crew was saved.

He was then ordered to cruise off Havana and Key West, keeping a sharp lookout for the Confederate raiders, Alabama and Florida. Late in 1864 he joined Admiral Porter's great fleet at Hampton Roads and participated in both attacks on Fort Fisher, his men assisting in landing the heavy siege guns and mortars for the army.

He was commissioned captain in 1866, commodore in 1871, and rear admiral in 1875. In 1876 he commanded the North Atlantic Squadron. After the disputed Hayes-Tilden election of that year, he assembled a large fleet at Washington to prevent disturbances. He retired July 10, 1880.

He made an admirable record in the Civil War and in the second attack on Fort Fisher played a distinguished rôle.

He died in New York City, on November 15, 1883. and is buried in the churchyard of Church of St. James the Less in Philadelphia.

Achievements

• Stephen Decatur Trenchard is known for participation at the Battle of Taku Forts in 1859, and commanded the supply ship and gunboat Rhode Island throughout the American Civil War, seeing action at both Battles of Fort Fisher. He later commanded For his service he received a sword from the British Government as a mark of gratitude, and although it was against the laws of the United States (Article I, Section 9, of the U. S. Constitution) for its officers to accept awards from a foreign state, Congress passed a special act permitting him to receive it. On September 9, 1865, he fell overboard while attempting to assist a ferryboat which had collided with another vessel. One of his men, Seaman John Taylor, rescued him from the water, for which Taylor was later awarded the Medal of Honor.

Religion

Throughout his career he was known in the service as a deeply religious man.

Personality

He was a strict disciplinarian but was conceded, even by his enemies, to be a highly upright, humane man.

Connections

Trenchard married Anne O'Connor Barclay, the daughter of Captain John Mortimer Barclay, U. S. Army, in December 1848. They had one child, a son named Edward Trenchard (1850–1922), who was a noted marine artist.

Father:

Capt. Edward Trenchard

Mother:

Eliza (Sands) Trenchard

Spouse:

Ann Barclay Trenchard

(1819–1877)

child:

Edward Trenchard

(1850–1922)

References

• The records of living officers of the U. S. navy and Marine corps: with a history of naval operations during the rebellion of 1861-5, and a list of ... officers participating in the great battles
• Reminiscences of the Old Navy: From the Journals and Private Papers of Captain Edward Trechard, and Rear-Admiral Stephen Decatur Trenchard (1898)
• The Prominent Families of the United States of America