| Birth date | July 12, 1828 |
|---|---|
| Death date | July 26, 1865 (aged 37) |
| Birth place | Maine |
| Death place | San Francisco, California |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Branch | United States Navy |
| Service years | 1863–1864 |
| Rank | Lieutenant commander |
| Commands | USS Niphon |
| Battles | American Civil War |
Joseph Berry Breck (July 12, 1828 – July 26, 1865) was an officer in the United States Navy during the American Civil War.[1]
Biography
Breck was born in Maine, the son of Benjamin Dunton Breck and Jane S. Simmons. Breck had a successful career in the American mercantile marine as a shipmaster and businessman, and at the outbreak of the Civil War was engaged in the Pacific and China trade, but soon offered his services to the Navy Department.[2] He was eventually commissioned as an Acting Ensign on February 27, 1863.[1] From April 24, 1863[3] he commanded the screw steamer USS Niphon, taking a prominent part in the destruction of the saltworks at Masonboro Inlet, North Carolina, on August 27, 1864, and on many other expeditions ashore.[1] He received rapid promotion; to Acting Master on August 8, 1863, to Acting Volunteer Lieutenant on November 16, 1863, and to Acting Volunteer Lieutenant Commander on November 25, 1864.[3]
Although his health was much impaired, Breck remained in command of Niphon until invalided out of the service by a medical board in November 1864.[1] (His younger brother Lowell Mason Breck (1839–1863), who served under him aboard Niphon, was also invalided out of the Navy suffering from "consumption", from which he soon died.[2]) Seeking a climate conducive to his recovery Lt-Cdr. Breck travelled to San Francisco, California, but died on July 26, 1865, soon after his arrival there.[1] He was buried in Arlington National Cemetery.[citation needed]
Personal life
Breck was married twice, firstly to Fredonia Gaston, and after her death to Ellen Francis Newell, by whom he had four children; twin daughters, who died in infancy, and two sons. The eldest son, John Leslie Breck (1860–1899)[2] became a noted impressionist painter,[4] while the younger, Edward Breck (1861–1929)[2] was a scholar, journalist, champion golfer and fencer, and an officer of U.S. Naval Intelligence during the Spanish–American and First World Wars.[5]
Namesake
The destroyer USS Breck (DD-283) (1919–1930) was named for him.
References
- ^ Mann, Raymond A. (December 12, 2005). "USS Breck". Retrieved August 3, 2013.
- ^ Breck, Samuel (1889). Genealogy of the Breck family : descended from Edward of Dorchester and his brothers in America : with an appendix of additional biographical and historical matter, obituary notices, letters, etc., and armorial bearings : and a complete index. Omaha: Rees Printing Co. Retrieved August 3, 2013.
- ^ "US Navy Officers: 1778–1900 (B)". Naval Historical Center. 2006. Archived from the original on November 6, 2012. Retrieved August 3, 2013.
- ^ Slater, Sharon (April 29, 2011). "John Leslie Breck, Impressionist Painter". The Governor's Academy Archives. Retrieved August 3, 2013.
- ^ Gillmeister, Heiner (2013). "Edward Breck, Anglo-Saxon Scholar, Golf Champion and Master Spy". Department of English, American, and Celtic Studies, University of Bonn. Archived from the original on June 30, 2012. Retrieved August 3, 2013.