William B. Renshaw
Encyclopedia
William Bainbridge Renshaw (October 11, 1816 – January 1, 1863) was an officer in the United States Navy
during the American Civil War
.
, and subsequently named his son for the naval hero. Renshaw followed his father into the Navy and was appointed as a midshipman
in November 1831. He served on a variety of sailing ships and outposts for the next twenty years.
He was appointed commander on April 26, 1861, during the early days of the Civil War. Renshaw was attached to Admiral David Farragut
's squadron for most of the war and was commended for the "handsome manner in which he managed his vessel", Westfield
, during Mortar Flotilla operations on the Mississippi River
in 1862.
He was in charge of the Union fleet blockading
the port of Galveston, Texas
, toward the end of the year, and fought in the First Battle of Galveston
. On January 1, 1863, during the Second Battle of Galveston, Renshaw refused to surrender his flagship. He set fire to her to keep her out of Confederate
hands, but died in the ensuing explosion.
. The first was jointly named for him and his younger brother, Richard T. Renshaw
. The later two were solely for William Renshaw.
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...
during 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...
.
Biography
Renshaw was born in Brooklyn, New York, to a naval family. His father, Commodore James Renshaw, had served with William BainbridgeWilliam Bainbridge
William Bainbridge was a Commodore in the United States Navy, notable for his victory over HMS Java during the War of 1812.-Early life:...
, and subsequently named his son for the naval hero. Renshaw followed his father into the Navy and was appointed as 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 November 1831. He served on a variety of sailing ships and outposts for the next twenty years.
He was appointed commander on April 26, 1861, during the early days of the Civil War. Renshaw was attached to Admiral David Farragut
David Farragut
David Glasgow Farragut was a flag officer of the United States Navy during the American Civil War. He was the first rear admiral, vice admiral, and admiral in the United States Navy. He is remembered in popular culture for his order at the Battle of Mobile Bay, usually paraphrased: "Damn the...
's squadron for most of the war and was commended for the "handsome manner in which he managed his vessel", Westfield
USS Westfield (1861)
USS Westfield was a sidewheel steam ferryboat in the United States Navy during the American Civil War.Westfield was purchased by the Navy from Cornelius Vanderbilt on 22 November 1861; outfitted at Jacob Aaron Westervelts shipyard in New York; and commissioned in January 1862, Commander William B...
, during Mortar Flotilla operations on the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
in 1862.
He was in charge of the Union fleet blockading
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...
the port of Galveston, Texas
Galveston, Texas
Galveston is a coastal city located on Galveston Island in the U.S. state of Texas. , the city had a total population of 47,743 within an area of...
, toward the end of the year, and fought in the First Battle of Galveston
First Battle of Galveston
The Battle of Galveston Harbor or the First Battle of Galveston was primarily a naval engagement fought on October 4, 1862 near the city of Galveston, Texas between forces from the Union Navy and the Confederate States of America.-Battle:...
. On January 1, 1863, during the Second Battle of Galveston, Renshaw refused to surrender his flagship. He set fire to her to keep her out of Confederate
Confederate States of America
The Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S...
hands, but died in the ensuing explosion.
Namesakes
Three later U.S. Navy ships have been named USS RenshawUSS Renshaw
USS Renshaw may refer to:, a schooner, captured in 1862 and sold in 1865., a Wickes-class destroyer, launched in 1918 and struck in 1936., a Fletcher-class destroyer, launched in 1942 and struck in 1970....
. The first was jointly named for him and his younger brother, Richard T. Renshaw
Richard T. Renshaw
Richard T. Renshaw was an officer in the United States Navy during the American Civil War.Renshaw entered the Navy as a midshipman on January 26, 1838, and was commissioned acting master September 10, 1851. Resigning June 29, 1852, Renshaw reentered the Navy at the beginning of the Civil War as a...
. The later two were solely for William Renshaw.