Walker, John Grimes (1835-1907) [John Grimes Walker's naval correspondence] [decimalized .01-.50]
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03804 Author/Creator: Walker, John Grimes (1835-1907) Place Written: various places Type: Header Record Date: 1862-1920 Pagination: 50 items + 2 collateral items Order a Copy
49 items plus disbound orderly book and 2 collateral newsclippings on the launching of the USS "Walker" in 1918. Consists of his official naval correspondence. Walker's biography: Originally from New Hampshire, after his mother's death in 1846, Walker went to live with his uncle James W. Grimes, who was Governor of Iowa 1854-1858 and U.S. Senator from Iowa 1859-1869. Walker graduated from the naval academy in 1856 and served in the Brazilian Squadron afterwards. Taught mathematics at the naval academy 1859-1860. In Civil War served briefly on the "Connecticut," was named 1st Lieutenant on 2 November 1861 and served on the "Winona" in the West Gulf Squadron. Was slightly wounded while his ships passed the forts below New Orleans, and served under Farragut's advance up to Vicksburg. Made Lieutenant Commander 16 July 1862 and given command of the small ironclad "Baron De Kalb," and served in Porter's Mississippi Squadron. Received accolades for his service at Arkansas Post 10-11 January 1863 and served in 4 expeditions up the Yazoo River. "Baron De Kalb" sunk by a torpedo during an attack on Yazoo City on 13 July 1863. Then served on the "Saco" January 1864-January 1865. Served on staff of Admiral Porter at Naval Academy 1866-1869, Secretary of the Lighthouse Board 1873-1878, and Chief of the Bureau of Navigation 1881-1889. Made commodore in 1891. Served off the coast of Chile and at the Hawaiian Islands during the annexation. Retired 1897 and provided important work on the canal commissions in Nicaragua and Panama, as chairman of the Isthmian Canal Commission.
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