| Peter C. Assersen | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1839 Eigersund, Rogaland, Norway |
| Died | 1906 New London, Connecticut |
| Place of burial | Naval Academy in Annapolis. |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1862-1869 1872-1901 |
| Rank | Rear Admiral |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
Peter C. Assersen (1839 – December 7, 1906) was Norwegian-born civil engineer and Rear Admiral in the United States Navy.
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Assersen was born during 1839, the youngest of twelve children, on the Midtbrøt farm in Egersund parish, today located in the municipality of Eigersund, in Rogaland county, Norway. He left Norway at age 17 as a cabin boy on a bark sailing from the port of Stavanger. He came to the United States in 1859 at age 20.[1][2][3]
During the Civil War, he enlisted in the United States Navy as a Master's Mate on May 27, 1862 at age 23. He took part in several battles as commander of gunboats. He was made an Acting Ensign on November 24, 1862 and was appointed an engineer in the United States Naval Marine Corps.[4]
Assersen was honorably discharged on February 28, 1869 and returned to naval service as a civil engineer on 6 March 1874. Assersen became a Lieutenant, Captain and in 1889, Rear Admiral in the United States Navy. Assersen was the chief engineer of the Brooklyn Naval Yards and Norfolk Naval Yard, specializing in building drydocks.[5]
He retired from military service on January 5, 1901, with the rank of Rear Admiral and continued on active duty. He died during 1906 and was buried at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis. His son, Henry R. Assersen served as a special engineer during the First World War on General Pershing’s staff.[6][7]