While in command of the Savannah during the war with Mexico, 1846 and 1847, he led a detachment of sailors and United States Marines against Monterey, California, and on 7 July 1846, took possession and hoisted the American flag over the city. On 7–9 October 1846, Mervine led 203 U.S. Marines, 147 American sailors, and volunteers in the invasion of Los Angeles where he lost the Battle of Dominguez Rancho. Fourteen Marines were killed. José Antonio Carrillo, a Californio rancher, led 50 Spanish Californio lancers in that defeat of Mervine and the American forces.[1]
On 7 May 1861, Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles appointed the 70-year-old Captain Mervine to command the Gulf Blockading Squadron within the Gulf of Mexico. The assignment was difficult and arduous. Ship Island, MS was deemed to be "indispensable" and must be taken to control the maritime traffic. However on 22 September 1861, he was removed as commander of the blockade force by Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles. He stated he found it "difficult to understand the reasons for the apparent inactivity and indifference that have governed in this matter. You have large ships, heavy batteries, and young and willing officers, with men sufficient to dispossess the insurgents from Ship Island." Captain Mervine's removal was seconded by the fact that he had been suffering from illness. He was reassigned and worked until late 1865.
He died at Utica, New York on 15 September 1868 at the age of 77 years. He is buried at the Forest Hill Cemetery located in Utica.
US Navyedit
The Navy has named two destroyers USS Mervine in his honor.
USS Mervine (DD-322) was a Clemson-class destroyer in service with the US Navy from 1921 to 1930. She was scrapped in 1931.
USS Mervine (DD-489) was a Greaves-class destroyer in service with the US Navy from 1942 to 1949. She remained in reserve until 1969 she was sold for scrapping.
Referencesedit
^"Domínguez Ranch House". Historical Marker Database. Retrieved 28 September 2015.
william, mervine, march, 1791, september, 1868, rear, admiral, united, states, navy, whose, career, included, service, 1812, mexican, american, american, civil, captain, 1847born, 1791, march, 1791philadelphia, pennsylvania, died15, september, 1868, 1868, aged. William Mervine 14 March 1791 15 September 1868 was a rear admiral in the United States Navy whose career included service in the War of 1812 the Mexican American War and the American Civil War William MervineCaptain William Mervine in 1847Born 1791 03 14 14 March 1791Philadelphia Pennsylvania U S Died15 September 1868 1868 09 15 aged 77 Utica New York U S AllegianceUnited States of AmericaService wbr branchUnited States NavyYears of service1809 1861RankRear admiralCommands heldUSS SavannahGulf Blockading SquadronBattles warsWar of 1812Mexican American WarAmerican Civil War Born in Philadelphia Pennsylvania Mervine was appointed midshipman in January 1809 Serving on Lake Ontario during the War of 1812 he later cruised off Africa and South America in the West Indies and in the Pacific While in command of the Savannah during the war with Mexico 1846 and 1847 he led a detachment of sailors and United States Marines against Monterey California and on 7 July 1846 took possession and hoisted the American flag over the city On 7 9 October 1846 Mervine led 203 U S Marines 147 American sailors and volunteers in the invasion of Los Angeles where he lost the Battle of Dominguez Rancho Fourteen Marines were killed Jose Antonio Carrillo a Californio rancher led 50 Spanish Californio lancers in that defeat of Mervine and the American forces 1 Contents 1 US Civil War Service 2 US Navy 3 References 4 External linksUS Civil War Service editOn 7 May 1861 Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles appointed the 70 year old Captain Mervine to command the Gulf Blockading Squadron within the Gulf of Mexico The assignment was difficult and arduous Ship Island MS was deemed to be indispensable and must be taken to control the maritime traffic However on 22 September 1861 he was removed as commander of the blockade force by Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles He stated he found it difficult to understand the reasons for the apparent inactivity and indifference that have governed in this matter You have large ships heavy batteries and young and willing officers with men sufficient to dispossess the insurgents from Ship Island Captain Mervine s removal was seconded by the fact that he had been suffering from illness He was reassigned and worked until late 1865 He died at Utica New York on 15 September 1868 at the age of 77 years He is buried at the Forest Hill Cemetery located in Utica US Navy editThe Navy has named two destroyers USS Mervine in his honor USS Mervine DD 322 was a Clemson class destroyer in service with the US Navy from 1921 to 1930 She was scrapped in 1931 USS Mervine DD 489 was a Greaves class destroyer in service with the US Navy from 1942 to 1949 She remained in reserve until 1969 she was sold for scrapping References edit Dominguez Ranch House Historical Marker Database Retrieved 28 September 2015 This article incorporates text from the public domainDictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships The entry can be found here External links editRear Admiral William Mervine Find a Grave nbsp This article about a person of the American Civil War is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title William Mervine amp oldid 1197825567, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
