William Barker Cushing was born in Delafield, Wisconsin, on 4 November 1842, but spent most of his childhood in Fredonia, New York. He attended the U.S. Naval Academy from 1857 until March 1861, when his high-spirited behavior led to his resignation. The outbreak of the Civil War brought him back into the service, and he soon distinguished himself as an officer of extraordinary initiative and courage. Promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in mid-1862, Cushing served as Executive Officer of the gunboat Commodore Perry, then was given command of the tug Ellis, which was lost under heroic circumstances on 25 November 1862. He subsequently commanded the gunboats Commodore Barney, Shokokon and Monticello. During this time, he led several daring reconnaissance and raiding excursions into Confederate territories.
On the night of 27-28 October 1864, Cushing and a small crew took the Navy steam launch Picket Boat Number One upriver to Plymouth, NC, where they attacked and sank the Confederate ironclad ram CSS Albemarle with a spar torpedo. This action made him a national celebrity, and he was quickly promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Commander. In January 1865, Cushing helped lead the Navy landing force in the conquest of Fort Fisher, NC, again distinguishing himself.
Following the Civil War, LCdr. Cushing was executive officer of USS Lancaster and commanding officer of USS Maumee. Promoted to Commander in 1872, he was captain of USS Wyoming in 1873-74. In November 1873, he boldly confronted Spanish authorities in Cuba to save the lives of many passengers and crew of the steamer Virginius, which had been captured bringing men and supplies to Cuban revolutionaries. While serving as Executive Officer of the Washington Navy Yard, DC, Commander Cushing's always delicate health gave way and he died on 17 December 1874.
As befits the memory of a man that Civil War Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles called "the hero of the War", the Navy has named a series of torpedo boats and destroyers for William Barker Cushing. These include USS Cushing (TB-1) of 1890-1920, USS Cushing (DD-55) of 1915-1936, USS Cushing (DD-376) of 1936-1942, USS Cushing (DD-797) of 1944-1961, and the present USS Cushing (DD-985), commissioned in 1979.
This page features images of Commander William Barker Cushing, USN.
For other views related to William Barker Cushing, see:
For the text of Lt. Cushing's report on his attack on the Albemarle, see: "Destruction of CSS Albemarle" in the "Selected Naval Documents: Civil War" section of the Naval Historical Center's WebSite.
If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions." |
Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.
Photo #: NH 63224 Lieutenant William B. Cushing, USN Photograph taken circa 1864. The original photograph is in the collections of the U.S. National Archives. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 92KB; 600 x 765 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 51749 Lieutenant William B. Cushing, USN Photograph taken circa 1864. The original print is mounted on a Carte de Visite. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 84KB; 480 x 765 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 51748 Lieutenant William B. Cushing, USN Halftone reproduction of a photograph taken in 1864. Courtesy of Rear Admiral Ammen C. Farenholt, USN(MC), 1938. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 103KB; 460 x 765 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 51746 Lieutenant Commander William B. Cushing, USN Photograph taken circa 1864-65. The original print is mounted on a Carte de Visite. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 106KB; 600 x 765 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 61190 Lieutenant Commander William B. Cushing, USN Halftone reproduction of a photograph taken circa 1864-65. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 87KB; 590 x 765 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 61924 Rear Admiral David Dixon Porter, USN, Commanding, North Atlantic Blockading Squadron. (center) With members of his staff, on board his flagship USS Malvern in Hampton Roads, Virginia, December 1864. The officer standing at far left is Lieutenant Commander William B. Cushing, USN. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 122KB; 740 x 595 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 85515-KN (Color) Lieutenant Commander William B. Cushing, USN (1842-1874) Portrait by A. Bradish, 1865. Courtesy of the Navy Art Collection, Washington, DC. Donation of Mrs. Katherine A. Cushing. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 93KB; 630 x 765 pixels |
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Photo #: KN-10890 (Color) Lieutenant Commander William B. Cushing, USN (1842-1874) Oil on canvas, by Robert Hinckley (1853-1941). Signed and dated by the artist, 1912. The painting's dimensions are 60" x 36". Courtesy of the U.S. Naval Academy Museum, Annapolis, MD. Gift of Thomas R. Proctor, 1912. Online Image: 99KB; 585 x 765 pixels Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system as Photo # 428-KN-10890 |
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Photo #: NH 51750 Lieutenant Commander William B. Cushing, USN Photograph taken circa 1870, when he married Katherine Louise Forbes. Courtesy of Rear Admiral T.T. Craven, USN, 1935. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 93KB; 510 x 765 pixels |
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For other views related to William Barker Cushing, see:
For the text of Lt. Cushing's report on his attack on the Albemarle, see: "Destruction of CSS Albemarle" in the "Selected Naval Documents: Civil War" section of the Naval Historical Center's WebSite.
If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions." |
Page made 16 October 1999
Link added 10 February 2002