USS Lamson (DD-367)

Bancroft Gherardi was born 10 November 1832 at Jackson, La., 10 November 1832. He was appointed Acting Midshipman 26 June 1846 and served in Ohio, during the War with Mexico. He entered the Naval Academy in 1851 and graduated the next year. Ordered to St. Louis, he cruised the Mediterranean and after promotion to Lieutenant in 1855 he was ordered to the Saratoga.

At the outbreak of the Civil War he served in the steam sloop Lancaster and later became the executive officer of the Chippewa in the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron. He commanded gunboats Chocura and Port Royal, and was commended for his conduct in the Battle of Mobile Bay under Admiral Farragut 5 August 1864.

In later years he commanded receiving ships Colorado and Lancaster and was present at the bombardment of Alexandria. He served as President of the Naval Examining Board, as Governor of the Naval Asylum at Philadelphia, and as Commandant of the New York Navy Yard. He was promoted to Rear Admiral 25 August 1887. In 1893 he was made Commander-in-Chief of the Naval Review Fleet on the Hudson River and then Commandant of the New York Navy Yard. He retired 10 November 1894 and died at his home in Stratford, Conn., 10 December 1903.

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From the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, compiled by the Naval History and Heritage Command (Gherardi (DD-367)). A work of the United States Government, in the public domain.