Thomas Tingey Craven Thomas Tingey Craven ( 1808 – 1887 ) was a 19th - century United States Navy officer who rose to prominence during the Civil War . Origins and education . He was the oldest son of Tunis Craven , a navy purser , and Hannah ( Tingey ) Craven , the daughter of Commodore Thomas Tingey , a longtime commandant of the Washington Navy Yard . His brother Tunis Craven also joined the navy , and perished with the USS " Tecumseh " at the Battle of Mobile Bay . Another brother , Alfred Wingate , was a noted civil engineer who constructed railroads . Thomas , like his brothers , was a graduate of the American Literary , Scientific , and Military Academy , the forerunner of Norwich University , entering in 1822 and graduating in December 1823 . Naval career . From 1823 until 1828 , he served in the Pacific Squadron on the USS " United States " and on the USS " Peacock " . In 1828 he joined the USS " Erie " , of the West India Squadron , as sailing master , and took part in the capture of the pirate " Federal " . After being commissioned lieutenant in 1830 , he spent three years in cruising on the USS " Boxer " , and in 1835 / 6 was attached to the receiving ship at New York , after which he joined the USS " John Adams " . In 1838 he commanded the USS " Vincennes " , Captain Charles Wilkes ' flag ship in the Antarctic exploring expedition . He then served on the USS " Boxer " , USS " Fulton " , USS " Monroe " , USS " Macedonia " , and USS " Porpoise " , principally in the African Squadron , after which , during 1846 , he was attached to the naval rendezvous in New York . He then served on the USS " Ohio " , in the Pacific Squadron , and on the USS " Independence " in the Mediterranean Squadron , returning home in January 1850 . In the following July he was made commandant of midshipmen in the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis , becoming commander in December 1852 , and remaining at the academy until June 1855 . After commanding the USS " Congress " of the Mediterranean Squadron for several years , he was ordered to resume his post at Annapolis . In October 1860 , he was detached from this place , and , after a short time spent in recruiting service in Portland , Maine , was commissioned captain in June 1861 , and assigned to the command of the Potomac Flotilla . In the autumn of 1861 he was placed in command of the USS " Brooklyn " , participating in the capture of New Orleans and subsequent operations on the Mississippi River . He was made commodore in July 1862 , and during the subsequent years of the American Civil War commanded the USS " Niagara " off the coasts of England and France . In September 1866 , he was placed in command of the navy yard at Mare Island , California , where he received , in October of the same year , his commission as rear admiral , and continued there until August 1868 , when he assumed command of the Pacific Squadron . In December 1869 , he was retired , but continued on duty in San Francisco until that office was dispensed with . Family . He married Virginia Wingate , and later Emily Henderson . He had eight children , and four of his sons attended the naval academy or were connected with the U . S . Navy : Charles Henderson ( 1843 – 1898 ) , Henry Smith ( 1845 – 1889 ) , Alfred ( 1846 - ? ) and Macdonough ( 1858 - ? ) His grandson ( Henry ' s son ) Thomas Tingey Craven served in the U . S . Navy in the early 20th century and played a prominent role in the development of naval aviation . His daughter Ida married Frank W . Hackett , who would go on to become Assistant Secretary of the Navy . He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery .