THOMAS TURNER is a native of Virginia. Appointed Midshipman from Virgina, April 21st, 1825; attached to frigate Constellation, Mediterranean Squadron, 1827; sloop-of-war Warren, Mediterranean Squadron, 1830; promoted to Passed Midshipman, June 4th, 1831; frigate Constellation, Mediterranean Squadron, 1834, and frigate Delaware, same Squadron, 1835; commissioned as Lieutenant, December 22d, 1835; frigate Columbus, East India Squadron, 1840; receiving-ship at Philadelphia, 1843; sloop Albany, Home Squadron, 1847.
Lieutenant Turner was actively engaged in the war with Mexico, and was present at Tuspan, April 7th, 1847; receiving-ship at Philadelphia, 1850; frigate Congress, Brazil Squadron, 1851-53; on ordnance duty, 1854-57.
Commissioned as Commander, September 14th, 1855; commanding sloop-of-war Saratoga, Home Squadron, 1859-60; Commander Turner was in command of Saratoga in the engagement between that vessel and two Spanish Steamers, the Marquis of Havannah, and General Miramon, in the harbor of Anton Leyardo, Mexico, when they were captured, March 6th, 1860, at midnight.
Commissioned as Captain, July 16th, 1862, and as Commodore, December 13th, 1863; commanded frigate New Ironsides, special service, 1863; commanded frigate New Ironsides in the attack upon Forts Sumpter, Moultrie, and Beauregard in Charleston Harbor, April 7th, 1863. Admiral Dupont was on board the New Ironsides and commended Commodore Turner for the judgment and ability with which he handled his vessel; special duty, New York, 1864-65; special duty, Philadelphia, 1866-67; on ordnance duty, Philadelphia, 1868; commissioned as Rear Admiral, May 27th 1868; commanding South Pacific Squadron, 1869.
"The Records of Living Officers of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps," Lewis Randolph, J. B. Lippincott & Co., 1870.
SHIP NAMED FOR REAR ADMIRAL TURNER:
TURNER (Destoyer). Named in honor of Rear-Admiral Thomas Turner, U. S. Navy. He was born in Virginia, and entered the navy as a midshipman in April, 1825. As lieutenant, he served in the Columbus, 74, on the East India Station in 1840, after which he was transferred to the sloop Albany for service in the Gulf of Mexico during the Mexican War. While in command of the sloop Saratoga, he had a sharp action with two Spanish steam war vessels in the harbor of Anton Leyado on March 6, 1860, and compelled both to strike their colors. In 1862, he was named a captain. As commodore he commanded the armored frigate New Ironsides during the operations against Charleston, S.C., in the summer of 1863, being commended for his judgment and ability in handling his ship in action. After the war, he was promoted to rear-admiral. He died at Glen Mills, Pa., on March 24, 1883.
"Ship Names of the United States Navy, Their Meaning and Origin" Robert Wilden Neeser, Moffat, Yard & Co., 1921.
RETURN
Page last updated 3 April 2009.