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Photo # NH 50688:  Cdr. Hunter Davidson, CSN

Online Library of Selected Images:
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Commander Hunter Davidson, Confederate States Navy, (1827-1913)

Hunter Davidson, born in the District of Columbia in 1827, was appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy from Virginia in 1841 and graduated in 1847. He attained the rank of Lieutenant in 1855. When his state seceded the Union in April 1861, Davidson left the U.S. Navy. He received a Confederate Navy commission as a First Lieutenant in June. During the rest of that year he served at the Norfolk Navy Yard and in the gunboat Patrick Henry. He was an officer in the ironclad Virginia during her brief but historic career in March-May 1862.

Over the following two years, Lt. Davidson commanded the small gunboat Teaser and was in charge of the Submarine Battery Service, responsible for mine warfare in the James River. On 9 April 1864, he took the small torpedo boat Squib on a daring mission to Newport News, where he attacked the U.S. frigate Minnesota with a spar torpedo and was able to escape back up the James. He was promoted to the rank of Commander in recognition of this feat. His final Civil War service was as Commanding Officer of the blockade runner City of Richmond. After the war, Davidson moved to Paraguay, where he died on 16 February 1913.

This page features our only picture of Commander Hunter Davidson, CSN.


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

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Photo #: NH 50688

Commander Hunter Davidson, CSN


Photographed in civilian dress, probably during or soon after the Civil War.
He was promoted to the rank of Commander on 10 June 1864 "for gallant and meritorious conduct in command of the torpedo boat Squib in passing through the enemy's fleet off Newport News on the night of April 9, 1864, and attacking the steam frigate Minnesota".

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 95KB; 530 x 765 pixels

 


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


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Page made 15 June 2001