RoadTrippin': Edward Simpson-- Part 2: Service Before the Civil War

From Find-A-Grave.

U.S. Navy Rear Admiral.

His first service was as a midshipman in 1840 aboard the sloop of war USS Decatur which was on patrol off the coast of Brazil.  His next assignment was to the frigate USS Congress in the Mediterranean and Brazil squadrons.

After a year on station, he returned to Annapolis.  In 1846, he was promoted to the rank of midshipman and next served on the USS Vixen during the Mexican War where he was present on the attacks on the forts of Alvarado under Commodore Conner, and at two attacks on Tabasco under Commodore Perry and at the capture of Tampico.  He was also involved with the siege of Vera Cruz.

After them Mexican War, he returned to the Brazil Squadron and a short time later returned to the Naval Academy and was assigned as  an instructor in naval gunnery and infantry tactics.

Prior to the Civil war, he was promoted to  Master, then Lieutenant.

--Old B-Runner

Simpson's Ships-- Part 1: USS Decatur and Congress

In the last post I  wrote about  Simpson's service aboard these ships up to the Mexican War.

The first two were involved with the Civil War.

The USS Decatur was a wooden sloop of war sailing ship launched in 1839 at the New York Navy Yard.  It was 117 feet long, had a 32 foot beam and crew of 150 officers and men.  It participated in the Mexican War.

Afterwards it was in the African Squadron, Home Squadron and the Pacific Squadron.

The ship was decommissioned at Mare Island in San Francisco Bay in 1859 and then remained in ordinary until March 1863, when she was fitted as a defensive floating battery and stationed off San Francisco to guard against Confederate raiders.  Plus, there was talk of a clandestine expedition of Confederates and their sympathizers from Canada.

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The second ship, the frigate USS Congress commissioned in 1842 and was 179 feet long with a 48-foot beam and mounted 53 cannons.  It took part in the Mexican War, but saw short service in the Civil War as it was sunk in 1862 by the Confederate ironclad CSS Virginia.

--Old B-R'er