biography
| sex:
| male
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| lived:
| (1798–1877)
|
| biography:
| US naval officer, born in New York City, USA. He joined the US Navy in 1818 and studied hydrography. He explored the South Pacific islands and the Antarctic continent, including the stretch that now bears his name (1839–40). During the Civil War he intercepted the British mail-steamer Trent off Cuba, and took off two Confederate commissioners accredited to France, thereby creating a risk of war with Britain (1861). As acting rear-admiral he commanded a squadron against commerce raiders in the West Indies, but was court-martialled for disobedience in 1864, after which he retired. |
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