David B. Macomb

David B. Macomb
Born	February 27, 1827(1827-02-27) Tallahassee, Florida
Died	January 27, 1911(1911-01-27) (aged 83) New York City
Allegiance	United States
Service/branch	United States Navy
Years of service	1849–1889
Rank	Rear Admiral
Battles/wars	American Civil War

Rear Admiral David B. Macomb, USN (27 February 1827 – 27 January 1911) was an admiral and engineering officer of the United States Navy. He served on blockade duty during the Civil War, and was also a noted inventor.

Early life and naval career

Macomb was born near Tallahassee, Florida, on 27 February 1827, and entered the Navy as a third assistant engineer in 1849. Prior to the Civil War, he served with the Ringgold Expedition which explored the North Pacific and the China and Japanese Seas; and he accompanied Commodore Matthew Perry's fleet to Japan, 1853–55.

Civil War service

After the start of hostilities in 1861, he took part in the blockade of Charleston, South Carolina, and of Pensacola, Florida, then at Boston helped build monitors Nahant and Canonicus. He subsequently served on the latter with the James River Fleet and the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron. He contributed several inventions to the Navy including the Macomb Bilge Strainer and the hydraulic lift used in the turrets of ironclads.

Later years and legacy

Macomb retired in 1889 and died 27 January 1911 in New York City.

Namesake

In 1941, the destroyer USS Macomb (DD-458) was named in honor of Rear Admiral Macomb and his first cousin, Commodore William H. Macomb (1811–1872).

See also

	Biography portal
	American Civil War portal
	United States Navy portal

References

• This article includes text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.

Persondata
Name	Macomb, David B.
Alternative names
Short description	United States Navy admiral
Date of birth	27 February 1827
Place of birth	Tallahassee, Florida
Date of death	27 January 1911
Place of death	New York City