Samuel W. Preston
Samuel W. Preston ( born April 6, 1840 † January 15, 1865 ) was an officer of the United States Navy during the American Civil War.
Biography
Born in Canada, Preston received on October 4, 1858 from the State of Illinois he was appointed midshipman. On 9 May 1861, he graduated first of his training cohort and was appointed on 4 October 1861 Acting Master. The promotion to Lieutenant on August 1, 1862. From 1861 to 1863 he did his service on various ships of the southern blockade squadron (South Atlantic Blockading Squadron ) off the coast of the southern states. In an attack on Fort Sumter on September 8, 1863, he was captured by the armed forces of the southern states and taken to Libby Prison in Richmond ( Virginia). There he remained until he was replaced in the fall of 1864.
Back in service Preston was assigned as Flag Officer (Flag - Lieutenant) Admiral David Dixon Porter, who was at that time commander of the Northern blockading squadron (North Atlantic Blockading Squadron ).
On 24 and December 25, 1864 Preston participated in the attacks on Fort Fisher, and led on January 13, 1865 such. He was mortally wounded.
Honors
A total of six ships of the U.S. Navy have been named after him
- USS Preston (1864 ) ( a hijacked a British blockade runner. )
- USS Preston (1865 ) ( a hijacked blockade runner of the Southern States )
- USS Preston (DD -19)
- USS Preston (DD -327 )
- USS Preston (DD -379 )
- USS Preston (DD -795 )
Naming
Pending the designation of the aircraft carrier of the U.S. Navy after (also still living presidents ), it was customary to honor so only as deceased personalities. Although the first USS Preston the addition in 1864 led (the year the hijacking ), it was only after the death of Lt. Preston named after him in 1865 and was only a short time in the service, so that in the same year, appearing a second ship under this name. The respective annual numbers are used only for distinguishing the two ships.