Joseph Berry Breck
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Joseph Berry Breck
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|---|---|
| Born | July 12, 1828 Maine |
| Died | Script error: The function "death_date_and_age" does not exist. San Francisco, California |
| 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]
Biography
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]
Personal life
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]
Namesake
The destroyer Breck (DD-283) (1919–1930) was named for him.
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.
