Roswell Lamson

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Roswell Hawks Lamson ( 30 March 1838 – 14 August 1903) was an officer in the United States Navy during the American Civil War.

Born in Iowa, Lamson's family were Oregon Trail Pioneers of 1847. He was appointed to the United States Naval Academy on 20 September 1858, the first Oregonian to receive an appointment. After graduating in 1862, he saw action in the Civil War. He commanded USS Mount Vernon in joint Army-Navy operations on the Nansemond River, and he played an important role in the capture of batteries at Hill's Point.

While in command of USS Gettysburg, he was in the forefront of the attack on Fort Fisher, and he gallantly piloted the powder boat USS Louisiana in under the fort. He resigned from the Navy in 1866.

In 1895 he was appointed lieutenant and placed on the retired list. He died in Portland, Oregon.

Three ships have been named USS Lamson for him.

This article includes text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.