I'll go for some fish, clam make me sick.
Wine anyone?
Fine, fine, lets bring a end to this debate about Admiral Farragut, heres his bio....
David Glasgow Farragut was born July 5, 1801, at Campbell's Station, a few miles southwest of Knoxville, Tenn. He
was the second of five children of Jorge Farragut who was born on the Spanish island of Minorca, and Elizabeth Shine
Farragut of North Carolina. Jorge was employed in the Caribbean merchant trade in 1776 when he decided to join the
American colonists in their fight for freedom against the British. The Spanish mariner served his adopted country throughout
the American Revolution where his heroic exploits earned him the special thanks of the governor of South Carolina.
Jorge joined the U.S. Navy in 1807 as a sailing master and fought the British
during the War of 1812. Farragut's mother died when he was seven, and his bereaved
father Jorge sent him to live with the family of a close friend and fellow naval officer,
David Porter. Porter adopted the young boy and two years later helped him receive an
appointment as a midshipman in the U.S. Navy. Farragut performed the duties of
captain's aide, prize master of the ship Alexander Barclay, quarter gunner and powder
boy during the next few years. Farragut's age of 12 precluded his promotion at the time.
During the course of his career, Farragut held various positions before his
distinctive service in the Civil War. Of the many notables, Farragut served as naval aide
to the American Minister to Tunis and later established Mare Island Navy Yard in
California. During that time he learned to speak French, Italian, Spanish and Arabic and
studied the social, economic and political history of the Mediterranean area)
The Civil War brought great credit to Farragut. During the famous 1862 Battle of
New Orleans, Farragut practiced the doctrine of today's Navy, "Forward ... From the
Sea" and also barked the now-famous expression which inspires Navy personnel even
today, "Damn the torpedoes! Full steam ahead!"
Farragut had been appointed commander of the West Coast Blockading
Squadron and was ordered to open the Mississippi to Union vessels and to attack New Orleans. He opened the Battle of
New Orleans, April 18, 1862, and 10 days later, Confederate forces surrendered. During the battle, Farragut had attacked
from the river and reduced the land-based Confederate forts to surrender, foreshadowing today's naval doctrine 134 years
ahead of its time. Farragut had also proved then-President Abraham Lincoln's trust in his selection by this smashing victory,
and Lincoln was the first to acknowledge it by submitting Farragut's name to the Congress for promotion. On Dec. 23, 1864,
Congress commissioned Farragut a vice admiral. On July 26, 1866, Farragut became the Navy's first four-star admiral,
making history as a Hispanic.
Having seen service during the War of 1812 and the Mexican War in addition to all his other achievements, Farragut
has been historically credited with unlimited self-confidence, that helped him overcome any obstacles placed in his way.
Gideon G. Wells, Lincoln's Secretary of the Navy, said of Farragut that he would willingly take greater risks to achieve
desired results than any other high-ranking officer in either the Army or the Navy.
Farragut was and is a role model for every Sailor, not just Hispanic Sailors. Embodying the many sought-after traits of
the professional Sailor and officer, Farragut brought new meaning to honor, courage and commitment. Farragut is a true naval
hero.
Farragut's statue at Farragut Square in Washington, D.C., will be rededicated Oct. 1, 1997, with a ceremony
sponsored by the Navy Order of the United States and the addition of a U.S. Park Service wayside marker honoring
Farragut's many accomplishments.
Anyone want to verify it?
go here:
http://www.chinfo.navy.mil/navpalib/allhands/ah0997/pg34.html