Pierce Crosby, born 16 January 1824 in Delaware County, Pa., was appointed midshipman in 1838. He served in
Decatur and
Petrel in the Mexican War, and gave distinguished service in the Civil War in command of
Fannie,
Pinola,
Florida,
Keystone State and
Metacomet and as fleet captain in the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron. In
Pinola, assisted by
Itaska, he broke the chain barrier across the Mississippi to make possible the passage upriver of Flag Officer D. G. Farragut’s squadron, and the capture of New Orleans.
Rear Admiral Crosby retired in March 1882, and died in Washington, D.C., 15 June 1899.
