John L. Porter
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John Luke Porter (13 September 1813 – 4 December 1893)[1] was a naval constructor for United States Navy and the Confederate States Navy.
Early life
Porter was born in Portsmouth, Virginia in 1813. His mother was Frances Pritchard, daughter of Captain William Pritchard, an officer of the Revolutionary War. He had four brothers, two of whom were in shipbuilding business. Porter learned the art of shipbuilding from his father.
In 1846 he was appointed acting constructor in United States Navy and superintended the building of the iron sloop-of-war
After three years at Pittburg Porter received an assignment as a regular constructor of the sloop-of-war
Although he opposed the secession of Virginia, he kept allegiance to his state and resigned from the U.S. Navy in May 1861.
Porter began working for the
Sometimes after the blockade of the Confederate ports in Summer 1861, Porter was appointed Chief Constructor in the Confederate States Navy and served in that capacity until the end of the war.[1]
After the
Later life
Following the conflict, Porter worked in civilian shipbuilding industry in Baltimore and ferry operations in Norfolk.
When Portsmouth, Virginia was first incorporated, Porter was elected president of the first City Council.[1]
He is buried at Cedar Grove Cemetery, Portsmouth, Virginia.
References
- This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.
- Ironclads and Big Guns of the Confederacy : The Journal and Letters of John Mercer Brooke. By George M. Brooke Jr. (Editor)
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