Alexander Murray (1816-1884)

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Alexander Murray (2 January 1816 – 10 November 1884) was an officer in the United States Navy, who served during the Mexican-American War and the American Civil War.

Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he was appointed midshipman 22 August 1835 and participated in the capture of Alvarado, Tobasco, Tuxpan, Vera Cruz, and Tampico during the Mexican War. In the Civil War he commanded a combined Army‑Navy operation up Virginia's York and Pamunky Rivers in February 1862, destroying 27 Confederate vessels while cruising within 11 miles of Richmond. He served in the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron during the rest of the war. In 1886‑87 he commanded a special squadron cruising to Russia, then served as commandant of the Philadelphia Navy Yard, on the Lighthouse Board, and in command of the Pacific Squadron. He died 10 November 1884 in Washington, D.C.

[edit] Things named in his honor

• Two ships, USS Murray (DD-97) and DD-576 were named for him and his grandfather, Commodore Alexander Murray