William Nicholson Jeffers

Infobox Military Person
name= William Nicholson Jeffers
born= October 6, 1824
died= July 23, 1883
placeofbirth= Swedesboro, New Jersey
placeofdeath= Washington, D.C.


caption= William Jeffers
nickname=
allegiance= United States of America
branch= United States Army
serviceyears= September 23 1840-probably 1881
rank= Commodore
commands= USS Philadelphia (1861) USS Roanoke (1855) USS Underwriter (1861)
unit=
battles= American Civil War Mexican-American War
awards=
laterwork=Commodore William Nicholson Jeffers (6 October, 1824 – 23 July, 1883) was a U.S. Navy officer of the 19th century. He took part in combat operations during the Mexican-American War and the Civil War, and during the 1870s and early 1880s served as Chief of the Bureau of Ordnance.

Early life and career

Jeffers was born in Swedesboro, New Jersey, and was appointed midshipman 23 September, 1840. His early service was in frigates "Congress" and "United States", and during the Mexican-American War he took part in the attack on Alvarado, the capture of Tobasco, and the bombardment of Vera Cruz.

In the 1850s he was engaged in numerous expeditions to Central America, and was responsible for a preliminary survey of the isthmus of Honduras.

Civil War

During the early months of the Civil War, Jeffers commanded "Philadelphia" in the Potomac River and served in frigate "Roanoke" off Charleston and Hatteras Inlet. In December 1861 he took command of "Underwriter" and soon afterward took part in the capture of Roanoke Island and the destruction of the Confederate squadron at Elizabeth City. After the wounding of Captain John Lorimer Worden of USS "Monitor" during her historic engagement with Virginia, Jeffers commanded her, taking part mainly in shore bombardment in the James River.

For the remainder of the war he was on ordnance duty in Philadelphia and Washington.

Post-war career

Jeffers commanded "Swatara" in the Mediterranean and in African waters, and in 1873 was made Chief of the Bureau of Ordnance. Commodore Jeffers served in this capacity for eight years and contributed much to the science and literature of naval ordnance. He died at Washington 23 July, 1883, and was buried in the cemetery of the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.

Namesake

The destroyer USS "Jeffers" (DD-621) was named in his honor.

External links and resources

* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/j2/jeffers.htm history.navy.mil: USS "Jeffers"]
*findagrave|14010823 Retrieved on 2008-03-28

Notes

:DANFS