The Biographical Dictionary of America/Bankhead, John Pine

BANKHEAD, John Pine, naval officer, was born in South Carolina, Aug. 3, 1821; son of James Bankhead, an army officer in the Mexican war, and grandson of James Bankhead, a soldier of the revolutionary war. At the age of seventeen he entered the navy as a midshipman, and after fourteen years of faithful service won promotion to the rank of lieutenant. His first station in the civil war was on board the Susquehanna; later he commanded the Pembina at the capture of Port Royal, and was commanding the Florida when Fernandina was taken March 4, 1862. He received his commandership in the same year and was appointed to the Monitor. He displayed both bravery and presence of mind when that ship foundered off Cape Hatteras, Dec. 31, 1862, and to his efforts was mainly due the preservation of the crew. He was the last to leave the already half-sunken vessel. After the close of hostilities, he was attached to the East India squadron as commander of the Wyoming. He received his captaincy in 1866. The declension of his health caused his resignation early in 1867, and he died on shipboard on his way home when near Aden, April 27, 1867.