ANDREW ELLICOTT KENNEDY BENHAM
BENHAM, ANDREW ELLICOTT KENNEDY, rear-admiral United States navy, retired, served his country in the navy for fifty-seven years, entering the navy when he was fifteen years old, and retiring by operation of law, April 10, 1894.
He was born on Staten Island, New York, April 10, 1832. His father, Timothy G. Benham, was an officer in the United Sates navy. His life as a boy was spent in the country; and he attended the public schools of Richmond county. New York, until he was appointed from New York and warranted midshipman in the United States navy, November 24, 1847. He served in the East Indian squadron on board the Plymouth and the Dolphin, from 1847-51, and while attached to the last-named vessel in 1849, he assisted in the capture of a piratical Chinese junk, and was slightly wounded. He was attached to the Saranac, of the home squadron, 1851-52. In 1853 he attended the United States naval academy, in Annapolis, Maryland. He was graduated from this institution in 1853, and was promoted past-midshipman, June 10, 1853; was commissioned lieutenant, September 16, 1855, serving on the St. Mary's, in the Pacific squadron, until 1857. He was detailed to the Coast Survey and Paraguay expedition, 1858-59, and in 1860 was assigned to the Crusader, of the home squadron. At the battle of Port Royal, November, 1861, he was executive officer of the Bienville, and participated in that engagement, July 16, 1862, and in others. He was promoted lieutenant-commander, commanding the gunboat Penobscot, Western gulf blockading squadron. For a time on duty at the Brooklyn navy yard, he was attached to the Susquehanna in 1867. Promoted commander, June 9, 1866, after service as fight house inspector, he commanded the Canonicus and later the Saugus. He was promoted captain, March 12, 1875, and was assigned to the Asiatic station commanding the Richmond. Later he did duty at the navy yard in Portsmouth, and subsequently he had command of the light house district of New York. In 1885 he was promoted
