George Marshall (1781 – August 2, 1855) was a chemist, pyrotechnist, artillery specialist, author, educator, and gunner in the United States Navy. He fought in the
War of 1812
The War of 1812 (18 June 1812 – 17 February 1815) was fought by the United States, United States of America and its Indigenous peoples of the Americas, indigenous allies against the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, United Kingdom ...
, he was part of Commodore
Isaac Chauncey
Isaac Chauncey (February 20, 1772 – January 27, 1840) was an American naval officer in the United States Navy who served in the Quasi-War, The Barbary Wars and the War of 1812. In the latter part of his naval career he was President of th ...
's freshwater fleet on Lake Ontario. He served in the
United States Navy
The United States Navy (USN) is the maritime service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. It is the largest and most powerful navy in the world, with the estimated tonnage ...
with distinction for over forty-six years. He achieved the status of master gunner. He was one of the most important naval gunners in U.S. history. He helped build the framework of U.S. naval gunnery education. He was a 19th-century American scientist.
Early life
George Marshall was born in Rhodes, Greece in 1781. By the early 19th century he fled Rhodes and came to the United States. His name was Americanised. He married Phillippi Higgs around 1805, she was from Maryland. Their children included: Sophia, Maria, Eleanor, and George J. He enlisted in the Navy around 1807. He worked at the Washington Navy Yard as a seaman. At the time Thomas Jefferson was president and American hero Sicilian
Salvadore Catalano was one of two gunners at the Navy Yard. According to records, Samuel Kelly was the other acting gunner he had one arm. Marshall began his career at the navy yard. Around 1807,
Robert Fulton
Robert Fulton (November 14, 1765 – February 24, 1815) was an American engineer and inventor who is widely credited with developing the world's first commercially successful steamboat, the (also known as ''Clermont''). In 1807, that steamboa ...
occasionally visited the navy yard to test his torpedo experimentation. The navy yard also conducted advanced cannon research and had a fully functioning steam engine. Catalano was the pilot of the
Intrepid during the famous burning of the captured
Philadelphia
Philadelphia, often called Philly, is the List of municipalities in Pennsylvania#Municipalities, largest city in the Commonwealth (U.S. state), Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the List of United States cities by population, sixth-largest city i ...
in Tripoli Harbor. America rewarded him for his service. He was invited to join the U.S. Navy. He received the warrant of sailing master and master gunner. Marshall was his student.
War of 1812
Marshall became a warrant officer on July 15, 1809. His specialization was gunnery. He continued at the navy yard from 1807 to 1813. He was with Catalano and
Thomas Tingey
Thomas Tingey (11 September 1750 – 23 February 1829) was a commodore of the United States Navy. Originally serving in the British Royal Navy, Tingey later served in the Continental Navy. Tingey served with distinction during the Quasi-War and ...
. Tingey was the commander of the navy yard. The War of 1812 depleted the navy yard of resources and officers. The U.S. armed forces took most of the cannons, ships, and experienced officers. Commander Tingey pleaded with the government and warned them that the navy yard had weakened defenses.
Commander
Charles G. Ridgely was an American hero who fought with
Edward Preble
Edward Preble (August 15, 1761 – August 25, 1807) was a United States naval officer who served with great distinction during the 1st Barbary War, leading American attacks on the city of Tripoli and forming the officer corps that would la ...
in the First Barbary War. He was looking for glory in the War of 1812. He was assigned to the
sloop-of-war Erie. Ridgely's gunners were having a hard time loading the cannons outfitted for his ship. The Washington Navy Yard's gunner was ordered to demonstrate the cannons at
Henry Foxall
Henry Foxall (May 24, 1758 – December 11, 1823) was an English-born American politician, industrialist and Methodist preacher. He is considered the first United States defense contractor because he supplied the U.S. Navy during the Quasi War, ...
’s Columbia Foundry in Washington. According to the naval contractor, Captain Ridgley's gunners did not know how to properly load and fire the carronade's. Marshall demonstrated the cannons to Captain Ridgley. Captain Ridgley hired Marshall as his Gunner. The Washington Navy Yard's defenses were further disabled with the departure of Gunner Marshall.
The ship was first put to sea around March 1814. The war of 1812 continued and the
sloop-of-war Erie was forced to return to Baltimore around April 1814. The British set up a strategic blockade outside of coastal Virginia. The ship berthed at Baltimore and was on standby until early 1815. Captain Ridgeley and his crew were reassigned to the Lake Ontario fleet under Commodore Isaac Chauncey. Ridgeley was in command of the
brig Jefferson and Marshall was his gunner.
The crew arrived at Sackett's Harbor in May but the cannons did not arrive until mid-summer. The fleet was delayed but sailed ten days after the
Battle of Lundy's Lane. The battle was one of the bloodiest battles of the war. It continued further south of the
Niagara River. The battle was now called the
Siege of Fort Erie
The siege of Fort Erie, also known as the Battle of Erie, from 4 August to 21 September 1814, was one of the last engagements of the War of 1812, between British and American forces. It took place during the Niagara campaign, and the Americans s ...
. Marshall and the crew were about to gain experience in warfare. The Jefferson, Sylph, and Oneida blockaded the north entrance of the Niagara River. The remaining fleet sailed for Kingston. The three ships blocked British vessels inside of the river and blocked the entrance preventing British supplies and troops from reaching the Niagara River at the
Lake Ontario
Lake Ontario is one of the five Great Lakes of North America. It is bounded on the north, west, and southwest by the Canadian province of Ontario, and on the south and east by the U.S. state of New York. The Canada–United States border ...
entrance. During this time Washington was invaded by the British and the city was burned. Tingey and Catalano burned the
Washington Navy Yard
The Washington Navy Yard (WNY) is the former shipyard and Weapon, ordnance plant of the United States Navy in Southeast, Washington, D.C., Southeast Washington, D.C. It is the oldest shore establishment of the U.S. Navy.
The Yard currently serv ...
to prevent the British from taking control.
One month after the blockade the
Jefferson and the other ships joined the fleet. The next assignment was to lure Captain
James Lucas Yeo
Sir James Lucas Yeo, , (; 7 October 1782 – 21 August 1818) was a British naval commander who served in the War of 1812. Born in Southampton, he joined the Royal Navy at the age of 10 and saw his first action in the Adriatic Sea. He distingu ...
into a conflict. The fleet retired in November because the lake froze. By February the war ended. The crew boarded a ship called the Brig Surpize in New York returning to Baltimore. Regrettably, the ship sank outside the coast of New Jersey. Some of the passengers escaped. Marshall and the remaining crew stayed behind. Marshall and two other officers in an act of bravery tied the remaining pieces of the ship together with whatever they could find and they eventually reached the shore. A small number of the crew drowned.
sloop-of-war Erie (1815-1819)
The
sloop-of-war sailed to Boston and joined Commodore
William Bainbridge
William Bainbridge (May 7, 1774July 27, 1833) was a Commodore in the United States Navy. During his long career in the young American Navy he served under six presidents beginning with John Adams and is notable for his many victories at sea. ...
's squadron in May 1815. They sailed to the Mediterranean in July. The crew arrived slightly after the
Second Barbary War
The Second Barbary War (1815) or the U.S.–Algerian War was fought between the United States and the North African Barbary Coast states of Tripoli, Tunis, and Algiers. The war ended when the United States Senate ratified Commodore Stephen ...
. Marshall and the
Erie
Erie (; ) is a city on the south shore of Lake Erie and the county seat of Erie County, Pennsylvania, United States. Erie is the fifth largest city in Pennsylvania and the largest city in Northwestern Pennsylvania with a population of 94,831 a ...
joined the
Mediterranean Squadron. They provided gunboat diplomacy and protected American ships bound for trade in Europe. The squadron sailed between the Strait of Gibraltar and the Strait of Sicily. The warships frequented Italy, Mahón, and the neighboring ports. They did not travel to present Greece because it was restricted and some Ottoman ports required special permission.
On several occasions, the crew of the
sloop-of-war participated in small disputes. The tour was dangerous. Marshall and the crew gained experience. The
sloop-of-war remained stationed around the Straight of Gibraltar until late 1819. In one incident while they were returning to the United States. The Captain was ordered to pursue a pirate in the Caribbean. Marshall was back in the United States in early 1820. He was reassigned to the Gosport Navy Yard.
Gosport Navy Yard (1821-1824)
George Marshall gained experience as a Gunner. Marshall was reassigned to Gosport Navy Yard Portsmouth, VA in January 1821. The Washington Navy Yard was burned during the War of 1812. The Gosport Navy Yard was protected under the command of Commodore John Cassin. The yard was in a crucial location due to the British blockade of the Chesapeake. The U.S. Government enhanced its defenses. According to the 1821 naval rule book, special marines were dispatched to guard U.S. Navy Yards. Marshall was assigned to the crucial location. Captain
Arthur Sinclair
Commodore Arthur Sinclair (28 February 1780 – 7 February 1831) was an early American naval hero, who served in the U.S. Navy during the Quasi-War with France, the First Barbary War and in the War of 1812. His three sons also served in the ...
began his school for midshipmen and Captain
William M. Crane was on board a ship in ordinary and Captain
Lewis Warrington
Lewis Warrington (3 November 1782 – 12 October 1851) was an officer in the United States Navy during the Barbary Wars and the War of 1812. He later became a Captain. He temporarily served as the Secretary of the Navy. His highest rank ...
replaced Commodore
John Cassin
John Cassin (September 6, 1813 – January 10, 1869) was an American ornithologist from Pennsylvania. He worked as curator and Vice President at the Philadelphia Academy of Natural Sciences and focused on the systemic classification of the Acad ...
as the commander.
Around 1821, Marshall published ''Marshall's Practical Marine Gunnery''. Captain's Warrington, Sinclair, and Crane endorsed his book and recommended it for junior officers. The book was part of the curriculum in Sinclair's school for midshipmen. It was an early scientific book featuring chemistry, physics, and the task of the gunner. It defined U.S. gunnery education in the 19th century. The book described details about the necessary equipment for different types of cannons and pistols. It featured certificate templates that the gunner needed to fill out for each different task. The book had a time management table. According to Marshall, it would take one man 37 days to complete a cannon for service. Most of the tasks listed took one day. It took one day for one man to pack 100 blank cartridges or fix 4 skyrockets. The book outlined an early record of the chemical composition of rockets and practical chemical mixtures.
The book had over 50 different chemical ingredients for pyrotechnics. It described how to mix the chemical compounds. The book also featured the chemical ingredients that produced smoke bombs, phosphorus of lime, alum Phosphorus and a technique to shoot fire at buildings and structures, historically known as Greek
fire. The chemistry portion also included how to deal with metallic compounds such as Gold,
Silver, Tin, and Iron. Furthermore, the section listed the chemical compounds to prove spirits, glue for broken glass, a stain removal formula, and the formula to dye hammock fabric.
The textbook also featured an equation dealing with projectile motion. The book detailed the distance of a shot on a ship based on the sound of the gun, which was found to fly at a rate of 1142 feet in one second. It was the standard of the time. According to Marshall's equation after seeing the flash of a cannon and hearing the blast the gunner would count the seconds until impact. This way a trained ear would know the distance a cannonball traveled based on ear training. The book example outlined a 9-second scenario where the distance the cannon was fired from the gunner was approximately 10,278 feet or 3,426 yards. Below is an example of the equation from the book, x represents the time in seconds.
The equation was an early view of projectile motion. It did not observe the force of gravity or the traditional angle Θ. The technique predated classical and Newtonian mechanics.
North Carolina 74 (1825-1827)
After four years of service at the navy yard and due to his technical expertise he was assigned to the ship of the line
North Carolina 74. Around this time Greece was fighting for its independence from the Ottoman Empire. Marshall was in charge of the gunners on board. The gunner's crew was roughly 600-800 men. The crew included: the gunner's mate, quarter gunner, first gunner, second gunner, gunners aids, powder boys, armorer, armorer's mate, gunsmith, and yeoman of the powder room. Before the ship's departure in early 1825 it was boarded by President
James Monroe
James Monroe ( ; April 28, 1758July 4, 1831) was an American statesman, lawyer, diplomat, and Founding Father who served as the fifth president of the United States from 1817 to 1825. A member of the Democratic-Republican Party, Monroe was ...
, Secretary of Navy
Samuel Southard, Navy Commissioner
Charles Morris, and distinguished members of our Congress. The ship featured a library of books numbering 1100.
The
North Carolina 74 served in the Mediterranean as flagship to
Commodore John Rodgers. Rogers captain was Master Commandant
Charles W. Morgan. The ship sailed to the Mediterranean with two notable passengers Estwick Evans and George Bethune English. They were traveling to aid war-torn Greece. The warship traveled all over the Greek islands. Some included Paros, Milos, and Mytilini. Seaman sent letters back from the ship and they were published in American newspapers. Many of the seamen sympathized with the Greek cause. In one account a Greek commander boarded the North Carolina and was overwhelmed by the massive ship.
The Mediterranean Squadron was celebrating the Fourth of July in the summer of 1826 off of the island of Tenedos. A large Ottoman Fleet approached their position and they eventually began to communicate. Recall most of the Ottoman ports were restricted until the Greek War of Independence. Commander
John Rodgers John Rodgers may refer to:
Military
* John Rodgers (1728–1791), colonel during the Revolutionary War and owner of Rodgers Tavern, Perryville, Maryland
* John Rodgers (naval officer, born 1772), U.S. naval officer during the War of 1812, first ...
had a historic meeting with the
Kapudan Pasha
The Kapudan Pasha ( ota, قپودان پاشا, modern Turkish: ), was the Grand Admiral of the navy of the Ottoman Empire. He was also known as the ( ota, قپودان دریا, links=no, modern: , "Captain of the Sea"). Typically, he was bas ...
. The
Kapudan was the highest-ranking naval officer in the Ottoman Navy. Rogers and the Pasha met in Mytilini where they began trade talks. Eventually, around the time, Greece was recognized as a country American ships were allowed in Ottoman Ports under the Ottoman-American Treaty. Many refugees came to the United States namely:
George Siran,
John Celivergos Zachos,
Gregory Anthony Perdicaris
Gregory Anthony Perdicaris ( el, Γρηγόρης Αντώνης Περδικάρης; 1810 – April 18, 1883) was a Greek American statesman, lawyer, professor, author, and entrepreneur. Perdicaris raised awareness about Greece in the United S ...
,
Christophoros Plato Castanes, and
Evangelinos Apostolides Sophocles. Americans began to witness the horrors of Greek slavery. This was used by American abolitionists. A notable Greek slave was
Garafilia Mohalbi
Garafilia Mohalbi(y) (; 1817 – March 17, 1830) was a Greek slave that was rescued by an American merchant and sent to live with his family in Boston, Massachusetts. Born to a prominent family on the island of Psara, her parents were killed in 1 ...
.
Later life
Marshall was back with his wife Phillippi and his four children. His son George J Marshall was around 2 years old. He was reassigned to the Washington Navy Yard (1827-1832). Marshall was reunited with Commander Tingey and his Mentor Sicilian
Salvadore Catalano. Marshall was the gunner of the navy yard. Catalano was in the Ordnance Department at the yard. Marshall and Catalano were both training gunners at the navy yard. Commander
Thomas Tingey
Thomas Tingey (11 September 1750 – 23 February 1829) was a commodore of the United States Navy. Originally serving in the British Royal Navy, Tingey later served in the Continental Navy. Tingey served with distinction during the Quasi-War and ...
died and American hero Captain
Isaac Hull replaced him.
Two years later, Marshall was reassigned to the Gosport Navy Yard. Marshall met a young man named
George Sirian he was also Greek from the island Psara. In 1835, Marshall's eldest daughter Sophia married Samuel G. City. He was also a gunner in the U.S. Navy. His son George J. began his training along with George Sirian. Both of the young men received warrants as gunners and were in command of gunnery on naval ships as teenagers. Marshall began to accumulate a family of gunners.
By 1840,
George Sirian married his third daughter Eleanor Elizabeth Marshall. One year later, the U.S. Navy promoted Marshall to Master Gunner. It was the highest rank a gunner could obtain. Around this time Sirian was assigned to the Washington Navy Yard with Marshall's mentor Master Gunner Salvador Catalano. He trained with him. Recall, Captain
William M. Crane endorsed Marshall's book. He invited Master Gunner Marshall to the
Bureau of Ordnance and Hydrography (1842–1862) Crane was the commander. The Bureau was located at the navy yard. Marshall was also the gunner of the yard. His son-in-law Samuel G. City was in the gunner's loft with him.
Catalano died serving the U.S. Navy at 79 years old at Washington Navy Yard. Marshall resigned from the navy four months later in 1846. Records indicate his resignation was rescinded as soon as the resignation was tendered. His circle of captains and bureaucratic officials did not allow him to resign due to his hi-level of expertise in the science of gunnery. Marshall was reassigned to Washington Navy Yard from 1847 to 1848. Greek American U.S. Navy Chaplain and American Abolitionist
Photius Fisk
Photios I ( el, Φώτιος, ''Phōtios''; c. 810/820 – 6 February 893), also spelled PhotiusFr. Justin Taylor, essay "Canon Law in the Age of the Fathers" (published in Jordan Hite, T.O.R., & Daniel J. Ward, O.S.B., "Readings, Cases, Materia ...
was stationed at the navy yard around the same period. Marshall‘s son George J. and son-in-law
George Sirian both participated in the Mexican-American War. Sadly, while on the sloop John Adams his son G.J. Marshall died of yellow fever.
Marshall returned to Gosport in 1849, Lewis Warrington was now chief of
Bureau of Ordnance and Hydrography (1842–1862). Recall, he also endorsed Marshall's book and he was his commander for many years. In 1851, Four-Star Admiral
David Farragut
David Glasgow Farragut (; also spelled Glascoe; July 5, 1801 – August 14, 1870) was a flag officer of the United States Navy during the American Civil War. He was the first rear admiral, vice admiral, and admiral in the United States Navy. F ...
and Marshall each planted an oak tree outside of the commandant's office at the Gosport Navy Yard. The commander was Rear Admiral
Silas H. Stringham
Rear Admiral Silas Horton Stringham (November 7, 1798 – February 7, 1876) was an officer of the United States Navy who saw active service during the War of 1812, the Second Barbary War, and the Mexican–American War, and who commanded the Atla ...
. Gosport Navy Yard was struck by yellow fever in 1855. Marshall died at the naval hospital on August 2, 1855. His sister-in-law died four days later. The name of the navy yard was changed to Norfolk Navy Yard and is now one of the largest shipyards in the world specializing in repairing, overhauling, and modernizing ships and submarines. Norfolk Naval shipyard is the oldest and largest industrial facility that belongs to the U.S. Navy.
[ Andrianis, 2021, p. 13]
Legacy
*G.J Marshall (1825-1847) Gunner U.S.N. dies of yellow fever in Vera Cruz during
Mexican American War
Mexican may refer to:
Mexico and its culture
*Being related to, from, or connected to the country of Mexico, in North America
** People
*** Mexicans, inhabitants of the country Mexico and their descendants
*** Mexica, ancient indigenous people ...
serving the United States of America.
*
Samuel G. City (1797–1860) married his daughter Sophia was also a warrant officer in the U.S. Navy. He was a gunner.
*
George Sirian his son-in-law and student had an incredible naval career he was also a gunner. The George Sirian Meritorious Service Award is named after him.
*Constantine Ambrose Sirian (1854-1923) his grandson achieved the rank U.S. Navy Chief. He was Chief Engineer of the propulsion systems on 20th century naval ships. He started as a fireman.
*George Sirian (1878-1948) his great-grandson was a machinist's mate in the Norfolk Navy Yard.
*John F Siran (1882-1915) his great-grandson was a boilermaker on the U.S.S Paducah. He died in a naval accident in 1915.
*James Edward Eller Jr. (1927-2015) his great-great-grandson served in the navy WW2 and was among the early developers of computers, and was professionally active in their introduction into Navy ships.
*Mark Lucas Glaeser (1952- ) his 4th great-grandson is a practicing gunsmith and Second Amendment advocate in Berks County, Pennsylvania.
Literary works
*''Marshall's Practical Marine Gunnery 1822''
See also
*
George Colvocoresses
George Musalas "Colvos" Colvocoresses (October 22, 1816 – June 3, 1872) was a Greek-American Navy officer who commanded the during the American Civil War. From 1838 up until 1842, he took part in the United States Exploring Expedition, which e ...
*
Garafilia Mohalbi
Garafilia Mohalbi(y) (; 1817 – March 17, 1830) was a Greek slave that was rescued by an American merchant and sent to live with his family in Boston, Massachusetts. Born to a prominent family on the island of Psara, her parents were killed in 1 ...
*
George Sirian
*
George Partridge Colvocoresses
References
Bibliography
*
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Marshall, George
1781 births
1855 deaths
Greek emigrants to the United States
19th-century Greek Americans
19th-century Greek people
People from Rhodes
19th-century Greek educators
19th-century Greek writers
19th-century Greek scientists
19th-century American military personnel
19th-century American naval officers
United States Navy personnel of the War of 1812
19th-century American scientists
19th-century American chemists
19th-century Greek American military personnel
18th-century Greek Americans
18th-century Greek people