Henry A. Clemson

Henry A. Clemson (12 July 1818 – 8 December 1846) was an officer in the United States Navy in the early 19th century. Clemson died at sea during the Mexican American War (1846) and was memorialized on the Mexican War Midshipmen's Monument and the naming of a naval destroyer, USS Clemson (DD-186).

Early life

Clemson was born in New Jersey to Ann Maria (Oliver) and Captain Eli B. Clemson.[1]

He served on several ships throughout his short career. The following is his known service based on newspaper accounts.

In 1837, he was midshipman on the frigate Independence with Commander John B. Nicholson.[2]

In 1840, he was a midshipman on the ship Falmouth which was returning from the Pacific and Rio Janeiro with Captain J. M. McKeever.[3]

Clemson requested permission to sit for the midshipman exams in 1841 at the Philadelphia Naval Asylum.[4] He passed the exams in 1842 which made him eligible for promotion to lieutenant. [5]

He served on the Concord in 1842 as passed midshipman. The Concord ran aground in November 1842 and then was abandoned. Clemson returned to the United States on the barque Margaret Hugg along with surviving crew.[6]

By late 1843, he was serving as passed midshipman on the Raritan with Commander Francis Gregory, Esq.[7]

In January 1844, Clemson served as passed midshipman on the Preble with Commander Thomas W. Fennelon, arriving in Haiti in June 1944 to protect the commercial interests of the United States.[8][9]

By late 1844, Clemson began his service as DO (duty officer) on the ship, Erie, with Lt Commander Charles C. Turner. The Erie was taking supplies to the west coast of Africa.[10]

In May 1845, Clemson was serving as acting master on the Truxtun with Commander Henry Bruce, when the Truxtun captured the slaver ship, Spitfire.[11]

By March 1846, Clemson was serving as passed midshipman on the Potomac with Captain John H. Aulick.[12]

By late November 1846, Clemson was serving as acting master on the brig Somers with Lt. Commander Raphael Semmes. The Somers had been dispatched for blockade duty in the Gulf of Mexico during the Mexican-American War.[13]

Clemson, along with 38 other crew, drowned on 8 December 1846 when Somers capsized off Vera Cruz in a squall while chasing a blockade runner.[14]

In memoriam
Mexican War Midshipmen's Monument at the United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland.

The Mexican War Midshipmen's Monument was erected at the United States Naval Academy in 1848 in the memory of Clemson and three other midshipmen who died at Vera Cruz. The monument has also been called the Clemson Monument since the side with Clemson's name faces the Academy Yard and is first seen by the midshipmen (students) on the way to classes.[15]

USS Clemson (DD-186) was named in his honor. [16]

Citations
  1. "New Jersey, U.S., Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey, Church Records, 1700-1970". FamilySearch.com. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  2. "List of Officers of the United States Frigate Independence". Niles Register. St Louis, MO. 3 June 1837. p. 16. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
  3. "Arrival of the United States Ship Falmouth". The Evening Post. New York, New York. 13 June 1840. p. 2. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
  4. "Letter from Clemson requesting permission to attend exams". archives.gov. Naval Records Collection of the Office of Naval Records and Library at the National Archives. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
  5. "Results of Board of Examinations". Niles National Register. St Louis, MO. 9 July 1842. p. 16. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  6. "Arrival of Officers on Margaret Hagg from US Ship Concord". The Charleston Mercury. Charleston, SC. 3 April 1943. p. 2. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
  7. "Frigate Raritan". Brooklyn Daily Eagle. Brooklyn, NY. 16 December 1843. p. 2. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
  8. "List of Officers Attached to US Ship Preble". New York Daily Herald. New York, New York. 24 January 1844. p. 2. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  9. "Late from Hayti". New York Daily Herald. New York, New York. 29 June 1844. p. 2. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  10. "US Store Ship Erie Set Sail to West Coast of Africa". Brooklyn Evening Star. Brooklyn, NY. 6 December 1844. p. 2. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  11. "American Slaver Ship Captured". New York Daily Herald. New York, New York. 16 May 1845. p. 2. Retrieved 18 Apr 2023.
  12. "List of Officers Attached to the US Frigate Potomac". The Times-Picayune. New Orleans, LA. 22 March 1846. p. 2. Retrieved 18 Apr 2023.
  13. "Report of the US Revenue Schooner Forward, H. R. Nones, commander, from Tabasco via Anton Lizardo and Tampico - three days from the latter place". The Times-Picayune. New Orleans, LA. 10 December 1846. p. 2. Retrieved 18 Apr 2023.
  14. "Loss of the US Brig Somers". The New Era. Portsmouth, VA. 31 December 1846. p. 2. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
  15. "Object 74: The Mexican-American War Monument. 100 Objects, A History of the Navy". usna.edu. United States Naval Academy. Retrieved 13 April 2023. Timestamp 5:25-6:10 specifically addresses Clemson
  16. "Naval History and Heritage Command: Clemson (Destroyer No 186)". navy.mil. 23 February 2016. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
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