Samuel Mercer Sr
Encyclopedia
Samuel Mercer entered the United States Navy
at a young age; he became a Midshipman
in 1815. He served his country during the Mexican-American and US Civil
war’s, He is also the father of Marine Corps
Captain “Samuel Mercer”.
in the Home Squadron
as tensions escalated in the Gulf of Mexico
, sailed south June 14, 1845. He and his crew spent the next year cruising along the Gulf Coast, providing security to American shipping in the region and helping suppress piracy. After war broke out April 25, 1846, they cruised on a blockade station off the Mexican coast, remaining there until June 17.
As Union Naval Officer, Captain Mercer remained loyal to the union during the war of the rebellion and was in command of the Union warship USS Powhatan stationed in Charleston Harbor
at the outbreak of the American Civil War
. He led a squad of four ships that had been sent to relieve the garrison at Fort Sumter
, but arrived too late. On 16 May 1861 He took command of the newly re-commissioned USS Wabash
in the Northern Blockading Squadron
, and participated in the Army-Navy action against Cape Hatteras
, North Carolina
.
The Northern Blockading Squadron
was having it share of trouble in 1861 due the slow conversion of it’s ships that at times the blockade off Charleston
had only a few ships, the state of the mission in this sector was so frustrating that Captain Mercer of the USS Wabash
lamented to his commander Rear Admiral
Silas H. Stringham
“Now Flag-Officer, you know as well as I do that to blockade this port efficiently with this ship alone is next door to an impossibility.” How true were his words? By 10 Sep of that year over one third of the Squadron’s vessels lay in yards for repairs.
, North Carolina
he was relieved from active command due to age, and was serving on the Navy Retiring Board when he died in March 1862. He is buried with his son Marine Corps
Captain “Samuel Mercer” at Laurel Hill Cemetery
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
.
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
at a young age; he became a Midshipman
Midshipman
A midshipman is an officer cadet, or a commissioned officer of the lowest rank, in the Royal Navy, United States Navy, and many Commonwealth navies. Commonwealth countries which use the rank include Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, India, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Kenya...
in 1815. He served his country during the Mexican-American and US Civil
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
war’s, He is also the father of Marine Corps
Marine corps
A marine is a member of a force that specializes in expeditionary operations such as amphibious assault and occupation. The marines traditionally have strong links with the country's navy...
Captain “Samuel Mercer”.
Mexican-American War
He commanded the USS LawrenceUSS Lawrence
Five United States Navy ships have borne the name USS Lawrence in honor of James Lawrence. was a brig which acted as Commodore Oliver Perry's flagship during the first part of the Battle of Lake Erie until she became unmanageable in that action....
in the Home Squadron
Home Squadron
The Home Squadron was part of the United States Navy in the mid-19th century. Organized as early as 1838, ships were assigned to protect coastal commerce, aid ships in distress, suppress piracy and the slave trade, make coastal surveys, and train ships to relieve others on distant stations...
as tensions escalated in the Gulf of Mexico
Gulf of Mexico
The Gulf of Mexico is a partially landlocked ocean basin largely surrounded by the North American continent and the island of Cuba. It is bounded on the northeast, north and northwest by the Gulf Coast of the United States, on the southwest and south by Mexico, and on the southeast by Cuba. In...
, sailed south June 14, 1845. He and his crew spent the next year cruising along the Gulf Coast, providing security to American shipping in the region and helping suppress piracy. After war broke out April 25, 1846, they cruised on a blockade station off the Mexican coast, remaining there until June 17.
Civil War
Civil War.As Union Naval Officer, Captain Mercer remained loyal to the union during the war of the rebellion and was in command of the Union warship USS Powhatan stationed in Charleston Harbor
Charleston Harbor
The Charleston Harbor is an inlet of the Atlantic Ocean at Charleston, South Carolina. The inlet is formed by the junction of Ashley and Cooper rivers at . Morris and Sullivan's Island, shelter the entrance...
at the outbreak of the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. He led a squad of four ships that had been sent to relieve the garrison at Fort Sumter
Fort Sumter
Fort Sumter is a Third System masonry coastal fortification located in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina. The fort is best known as the site upon which the shots initiating the American Civil War were fired, at the Battle of Fort Sumter.- Construction :...
, but arrived too late. On 16 May 1861 He took command of the newly re-commissioned USS Wabash
USS Wabash (1855)
USS Wabash was a steam screw frigate of the United States Navy that served during the American Civil War. She was based on the same plans as . Post-war she continued to serve her country in European operations and eventually served as a barracks ship in Boston, Massachusetts, and was sold in...
in the Northern Blockading Squadron
Union blockade
The Union Blockade, or the Blockade of the South, took place between 1861 and 1865, during the American Civil War, when the Union Navy maintained a strenuous effort on the Atlantic and Gulf Coast of the Confederate States of America designed to prevent the passage of trade goods, supplies, and arms...
, and participated in the Army-Navy action against Cape Hatteras
Cape Hatteras
Cape Hatteras is a cape on the coast of North Carolina. It is the point that protrudes the farthest to the southeast along the northeast-to-southwest line of the Atlantic coast of North America...
, North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
.
The Northern Blockading Squadron
Union blockade
The Union Blockade, or the Blockade of the South, took place between 1861 and 1865, during the American Civil War, when the Union Navy maintained a strenuous effort on the Atlantic and Gulf Coast of the Confederate States of America designed to prevent the passage of trade goods, supplies, and arms...
was having it share of trouble in 1861 due the slow conversion of it’s ships that at times the blockade off Charleston
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is the second largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It was made the county seat of Charleston County in 1901 when Charleston County was founded. The city's original name was Charles Towne in 1670, and it moved to its present location from a location on the west bank of the...
had only a few ships, the state of the mission in this sector was so frustrating that Captain Mercer of the USS Wabash
USS Wabash (1855)
USS Wabash was a steam screw frigate of the United States Navy that served during the American Civil War. She was based on the same plans as . Post-war she continued to serve her country in European operations and eventually served as a barracks ship in Boston, Massachusetts, and was sold in...
lamented to his commander Rear Admiral
Rear admiral (United States)
Rear admiral is a naval commissioned officer rank above that of a commodore and captain, and below that of a vice admiral. The uniformed services of the United States are unique in having two grades of rear admirals.- Rear admiral :...
Silas H. Stringham
Silas Stringham
Silas Horton Stringham was an admiral in the United States Navy.-Biography:Born in Middletown, New York, Stringham served in the United States Navy from the War of 1812 through the American Civil War. During the War of 1812, he served in the frigate and took part in the engagements with the...
“Now Flag-Officer, you know as well as I do that to blockade this port efficiently with this ship alone is next door to an impossibility.” How true were his words? By 10 Sep of that year over one third of the Squadron’s vessels lay in yards for repairs.
Post Civil War
The War ended earl for “Captain Mercer” shortly after the action off Cape HatterasCape Hatteras
Cape Hatteras is a cape on the coast of North Carolina. It is the point that protrudes the farthest to the southeast along the northeast-to-southwest line of the Atlantic coast of North America...
, North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
he was relieved from active command due to age, and was serving on the Navy Retiring Board when he died in March 1862. He is buried with his son Marine Corps
Marine corps
A marine is a member of a force that specializes in expeditionary operations such as amphibious assault and occupation. The marines traditionally have strong links with the country's navy...
Captain “Samuel Mercer” at Laurel Hill Cemetery
Laurel Hill Cemetery
Laurel Hill Cemetery, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the second major garden or rural cemetery in the United States. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1998, one of only a few cemeteries to receive the distinction....
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
.