Joseph Berry Breck

Joseph Berry Breck (July 12, 1828 – July 26, 1865) was an officer in the United States Navy during the American Civil War.[1]

Joseph Berry Breck
Born	July 12, 1828 Maine
Died	July 26, 1865 (aged 37) San Francisco, California
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Navy
Years of service	1863–1864
Rank	Lieutenant commander
Commands held	USS Niphon
Battles/wars	American Civil War

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 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.

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 Breck (DD-283) (1919–1930) was named for him.

See also

References

1. Mann, Raymond A. (December 12, 2005). "USS Breck". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Navy Department, Naval History and Heritage Command. Retrieved August 3, 2013.
2. 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.
3. "US Navy Officers: 1778-1900 (B)". Naval Historical Center. 2006. Archived from the original on November 6, 2012. Retrieved August 3, 2013.
4. Slater, Sharon (April 29, 2011). "John Leslie Breck, Impressionist Painter". The Governor's Academy Archives. Retrieved August 3, 2013.
5. 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.

• This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.