Joseph Berry Breck | |
---|---|
Born | Maine | July 12, 1828
Died | July 26, 1865 San Francisco, California | (aged 37)
Allegiance | United States of America |
Service/ | United States Navy |
Years of service | 1863–1864 |
Rank | Lieutenant commander |
Commands held | USS Niphon |
Battles/wars | American Civil War |
Joseph Berry Breck (July 12, 1828 – July 26, 1865) was an officer in the United States Navy during the American Civil War. [1]
Breck was born in Maine, the son of Benjamin Dunton Breck and Jane S. Simmons. Breck had a successful career in the American mercantile marine as a shipmaster and businessman, and at the outbreak of the Civil War was engaged in the Pacific and China trade, but soon offered his services to the Navy Department. [2] He was eventually commissioned as an Acting Ensign on February 27, 1863. [1] From April 24, 1863 [3] he commanded the screw steamer Niphon, taking a prominent part in the destruction of the saltworks at Masonboro Inlet, North Carolina, on August 27, 1864, and on many other expeditions ashore. [1] He received rapid promotion; to Acting Master on August 8, 1863, to Acting Volunteer Lieutenant on November 16, 1863, and to Acting Volunteer Lieutenant Commander on November 25, 1864. [3]
Although his health was much impaired, Breck remained in command of Niphon until invalided out of the service by a medical board in November 1864. [1] (His younger brother Lowell Mason Breck (1839–1863), who served under him aboard Niphon, was also invalided out of the Navy suffering from " consumption", from which he soon died. [2]) Seeking a climate conducive to his recovery Lt-Cdr. Breck travelled to San Francisco, California, but died on July 26, 1865, soon after his arrival there. [1] He was buried in Arlington National Cemetery.[ citation needed]
Breck was married twice, firstly to Fredonia Gaston, and after her death to Ellen Francis Newell, by whom he had four children; twin daughters, who died in infancy, and two sons. The eldest son, John Leslie Breck (1860–1899) [2] became a noted impressionist painter, [4] while the younger, Edward Breck (1861–1929) [2] was a scholar, journalist, champion golfer and fencer, and an officer of U.S. Naval Intelligence during the Spanish–American and First World Wars. [5]
The destroyer Breck (DD-283) (1919–1930) was named for him.
Joseph Berry Breck | |
---|---|
Born | Maine | July 12, 1828
Died | July 26, 1865 San Francisco, California | (aged 37)
Allegiance | United States of America |
Service/ | United States Navy |
Years of service | 1863–1864 |
Rank | Lieutenant commander |
Commands held | USS Niphon |
Battles/wars | American Civil War |
Joseph Berry Breck (July 12, 1828 – July 26, 1865) was an officer in the United States Navy during the American Civil War. [1]
Breck was born in Maine, the son of Benjamin Dunton Breck and Jane S. Simmons. Breck had a successful career in the American mercantile marine as a shipmaster and businessman, and at the outbreak of the Civil War was engaged in the Pacific and China trade, but soon offered his services to the Navy Department. [2] He was eventually commissioned as an Acting Ensign on February 27, 1863. [1] From April 24, 1863 [3] he commanded the screw steamer Niphon, taking a prominent part in the destruction of the saltworks at Masonboro Inlet, North Carolina, on August 27, 1864, and on many other expeditions ashore. [1] He received rapid promotion; to Acting Master on August 8, 1863, to Acting Volunteer Lieutenant on November 16, 1863, and to Acting Volunteer Lieutenant Commander on November 25, 1864. [3]
Although his health was much impaired, Breck remained in command of Niphon until invalided out of the service by a medical board in November 1864. [1] (His younger brother Lowell Mason Breck (1839–1863), who served under him aboard Niphon, was also invalided out of the Navy suffering from " consumption", from which he soon died. [2]) Seeking a climate conducive to his recovery Lt-Cdr. Breck travelled to San Francisco, California, but died on July 26, 1865, soon after his arrival there. [1] He was buried in Arlington National Cemetery.[ citation needed]
Breck was married twice, firstly to Fredonia Gaston, and after her death to Ellen Francis Newell, by whom he had four children; twin daughters, who died in infancy, and two sons. The eldest son, John Leslie Breck (1860–1899) [2] became a noted impressionist painter, [4] while the younger, Edward Breck (1861–1929) [2] was a scholar, journalist, champion golfer and fencer, and an officer of U.S. Naval Intelligence during the Spanish–American and First World Wars. [5]
The destroyer Breck (DD-283) (1919–1930) was named for him.