Civil War Union Naval Officer. He was appointed a midshipman in the United States Navy in June 1834, and was promoted to Lieutenant in 1846. A veteran of the Mexican War during which he served on the “USS Decatur”, during the Civil War he held various commands, and participated in the capture of Port Royal and Beaufort, South Carolina while commanding the “USS Unadilla". Promoted to commander on July 16, 1862, his capture off the Bahamas of the British schooner "Mont Blanc" created a minor international incident. On October 7, 1864, while in command of the “USS Wachusett" he took his ship into the neutral harbor of Bahia, Brazil and captured the “CSS Florida". This capture, although immensely popular with the public, created a controversy over the legality of the act. Collins was court martialed for illegal seizure and sentenced to be dismissed from the service, but the sentence was eventually set aside and he was returned to duty. Despite a number of public controversies during his career he was fortunate in keeping the support and backing of Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles. Promoted to Captain in July 1866 and Rear Admiral in August 1874. On August 9, 1875 while in command of the South Pacific Squadron, he died in Peru.
Civil War Union Naval Officer. He was appointed a midshipman in the United States Navy in June 1834, and was promoted to Lieutenant in 1846. A veteran of the Mexican War during which he served on the “USS Decatur”, during the Civil War he held various commands, and participated in the capture of Port Royal and Beaufort, South Carolina while commanding the “USS Unadilla". Promoted to commander on July 16, 1862, his capture off the Bahamas of the British schooner "Mont Blanc" created a minor international incident. On October 7, 1864, while in command of the “USS Wachusett" he took his ship into the neutral harbor of Bahia, Brazil and captured the “CSS Florida". This capture, although immensely popular with the public, created a controversy over the legality of the act. Collins was court martialed for illegal seizure and sentenced to be dismissed from the service, but the sentence was eventually set aside and he was returned to duty. Despite a number of public controversies during his career he was fortunate in keeping the support and backing of Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles. Promoted to Captain in July 1866 and Rear Admiral in August 1874. On August 9, 1875 while in command of the South Pacific Squadron, he died in Peru.
Bio by: Steve Dunn
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