USS Renshaw (DD-499)

Richard T. Renshaw entered the Navy as a midshipman 26 January 1838 and was commissioned acting master 10 September 1851. Resigning 29 June 1852, Renshaw reentered the Navy at the beginning of the Civil War as lieutenant 13 May 1861. He served in the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron commanding side-wheel gunboat Louisiana during the war, winning promotion to commander 22 September 1862 and to captain 20 September 1868. He retired 10 December 1874 and died 22 March 1879.

William B. Renshaw, born in Brooklyn, N.Y., 11 October 1816, was appointed midshipman in November 1831. Appointed commander 26 April 1861, he was attached to Admiral 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 in 1862. At Galveston 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.

The third Renshaw (DD-499) was laid down 7 May 1942 by the Federal Shipbuilding & Drydock Co., Kearny, N.J.; launched 13 October 1942; sponsored by Miss Dorothy Lillian Renshaw; and commissioned 5 December 1942, Lt. Comdr. C. F. Chillingworth in command.

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From the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, compiled by the Naval History and Heritage Command (Renshaw III (DD-499)). A work of the United States Government, in the public domain.