Civil War Union Naval Officer. Entered the United States Navy in 1840, serving as an enlisted man until 1846, when he attended the new United States Naval Academy. Served in the Mexican War on the USS Petrel, which was one of the warships that covered General Winfield Scott's Vera Cruz landings. Promoted to Lieutenant in 1855, he served on the USS Niagara, which laid the first telegraph cable across the Atlantic Ocean. During the Civil War he participated in the Union naval operations against Port Royal, South Carolina , and on blockading missions in the coastal waters of Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina. Promoted to Lieutenant Commander in July 1862, and served at the Philadelphia Naval Yard to late 1863. Given command of the steamer USS Galena, he served in the Western Gulf Blockading Squadron, seeing action in the Battle of Mobile Bay, Alabama (August 5, 1864). He was commended by Fleet commander Admiral David G. Farragut for his rescue of the damaged ship USS Onieda during the action. He ended the war serving under Admiral David D. Porter in Hampton Roads, Virginia. Promoted to successive ranks until achieving Rear-Admiral in 1884. From 1870 to 1880 he served as the United States Navy's Chief Signal Officer. He retired on September 22, 1884.
Civil War Union Naval Officer. Entered the United States Navy in 1840, serving as an enlisted man until 1846, when he attended the new United States Naval Academy. Served in the Mexican War on the USS Petrel, which was one of the warships that covered General Winfield Scott's Vera Cruz landings. Promoted to Lieutenant in 1855, he served on the USS Niagara, which laid the first telegraph cable across the Atlantic Ocean. During the Civil War he participated in the Union naval operations against Port Royal, South Carolina , and on blockading missions in the coastal waters of Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina. Promoted to Lieutenant Commander in July 1862, and served at the Philadelphia Naval Yard to late 1863. Given command of the steamer USS Galena, he served in the Western Gulf Blockading Squadron, seeing action in the Battle of Mobile Bay, Alabama (August 5, 1864). He was commended by Fleet commander Admiral David G. Farragut for his rescue of the damaged ship USS Onieda during the action. He ended the war serving under Admiral David D. Porter in Hampton Roads, Virginia. Promoted to successive ranks until achieving Rear-Admiral in 1884. From 1870 to 1880 he served as the United States Navy's Chief Signal Officer. He retired on September 22, 1884.
Bio by: RPD2
Inscription
[[FOULED ANCHOR FLANKED BY STARS - ONE ON EACH END OF CROSS]]
REAR ADMIRAL
CLARK H. WELLS
U.S. NAVY
DIED JAN 28., 1888
AGED 65 YEARS
Family Members
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