William B. Renshaw

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

William Bainbridge Renshaw (11 October 1816 – 1 January 1863) was an officer in the United States Navy during the American Civil War. His father, Commodore James Renshaw, had served with William Bainbridge and he was named for the naval hero.

Born in Brooklyn, New York, Renshaw was appointed midshipman in November 1831. Appointed commander 26 April 1861, he was attached to Admiral David Farragut's squadron during the Civil War and was commended for the "handsome manner in which he managed his vessel", Westfield, during Mortar Flotilla operations on the Mississippi River in 1862.

At Galveston, Texas at the end of the year, he refused to surrender his ship on 1 January 1863 and set fire to her to keep her out of Confederate hands. He died in the explosion.

Three ships have been named USS Renshaw. The first was for him and his younger brother, Richard T. Renshaw. The later two were for William.

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