— Ch. 1 · A Boy On The Frigate —
David Dixon Porter.
~4 min read · Ch. 1 of 6
On the 2nd of February 1829, a sixteen-year-old boy named David Dixon Porter received his official appointment as midshipman in the United States Navy. This date marked the beginning of a sixty-two-year career that would span from childhood to old age. He entered service through the influence of his grandfather, US Congressman William Anderson. His father, Commodore David Porter, had already established a formidable reputation within naval circles. The younger Porter was not like other boys who joined at a very young age. He possessed a maturity and experience that exceeded many naval lieutenants of the time. This background made him cocky and prone to challenging superiors. An incident involving Commodore James Biddle saved his warrant from being revoked. Biddle acted favorably because Porter's father was considered a hero. Without this intervention, his naval career might have ended before it truly began.
The Mortar Boats And Vicksburg
In late 1861, the Navy Department began developing plans to open the Mississippi River. Porter claimed credit for suggesting the target and proposing tactics to be employed. Other writers state that Assistant Navy Secretary Gustavus V. Fox was the principal author. Porter organized a flotilla of some twenty mortar boats to participate in reducing forts defending New Orleans. The bombardment of Fort Jackson and Fort St. Philip began on the 18th of April 1862. Porter opined that two days of concentrated fire would suffice. After five days, the forts seemed as strong as ever. Farragut decided to bypass the forts on the night of April 24. The fleet successfully ran past the forts while the mortars bombarded them to distract enemy gunners. Later, at Vicksburg, Porter brought his mortar flotilla up to suppress Rebel artillery. Only one vessel was lost during the passage of batteries on the 16th of April 1863. Grant later called off an assault after the upper fort remained standing. The city fell on the 4th of July 1863, marking a turning point in the war.