Description

The name “Farragut” was chosen for this station by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Commander-In-Chief of all U. S. Armed Forces. No greater tribute could be paid to the First Admiral …. No greater inspiration to the men who serve after him. David Glascow Farragut started his career as a midshipman at the age of nine. He commanded a prize with ability when only twelve years old. In 1824 he was in command of the U.S.S. Ferret. He was Rear-Admiral in 1862, Vice-Admiral in 1864, and Admiral in 1866, the first full Admiral of the U. S. Navy, an office created for him by Congress. Somewhat under middle height, of unusual strength, agile, athletic, and a skilled swordsman, he was easily approachable, yet in his bearing there was dignity without stiffness. Early in 1862 Farragut was appointed to the Command of the West Gulf Blocading Squadron with orders to ” …. proceed up the Mississippi River and reduce the defenses which guard the approach to New Orleans . . . .” Before dawn on the morning of August 5, 1864, he issued his carefully planned orders to the Captains of the fleet of fourteen wooden ships, four iron clad monitors, and ten small gun boats. First in line was the heavily armed “Brooklyn,” followed by the Admiral’s “Hartford.” One of the leading monitors, the “Tecumseh,” in her anxiety to engage the enemy, crossed the mine field, struck a torpedo and sank within a few minutes. This was the great moment of Farragut’s life. Without a moment’s hesitation he swung his own ship clear of the hesitating “Brooklyn” and shouted, “DAMN THE TORPEDOES …. FULL SPEED AHEAD,” and anchored triumphantly above the fort. ……. Farragut Naval Training Station includes the following training camps: … Camp Waldron …….. Camp Ward ……. Camp Bennion ……. Camp Hill …….. Camp Peterson ……. and Camp Scott.