Cumberland County, Maine - Captain William E. Dennison ********************************************************************** USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: C. Wendland SilverDrusilla@aol.com Copyright © 2005 by C. Wendland Caitlin's Gold Award Project, Girl Scouts USA, Rio Grande Girl Scout Council, El Paso, Texas ********************************************************************** Biography Captain William E. Dennison Biographical Review Cumberland County, Maine Boston Biographical Review Publishing Company 1896 Page 291-292 Captain William E. Dennison, who died on September 3, 1895, was for a number of years Commander of the Maine Central steamer, "Frank Jones." He was born in Portland, June 29, 1832. His father was Captain C. W. Dennison, of Freeport, Me., where his grandfather, Solomon Dennison, lived; but the family originally came from Gloucester, Mass. At the age of thirteen William E. went to sea, going before the mast, working his way from the lowest to the highest round in thirty-nine different vessels. His life was 'one of varied experiences. He was at one time an indigo planter in Central America, and he was master of an armed trading schooner on Lake Nicaragua until driven thence by one of the periodical Central American revolutions. During the Crimean War he was one of the crew of a transport which carried British troops through the Black Sea to Sebastopol; and, in the war of the Rebellion, with his gunboat he assisted in the capture of the blockade - running steamers, "Circassian" and "Emma Henley," carrying away the largest prizes ever taken by the American navy. He was for seven years engaged in the coal business, and he made and lost a fortune in the California gold mines. Tact is better than talent, and Captain Dennison's ability to take advantage of the situation is notable. It was a lucky stroke for him when he was transferred from the Captaincy of a merchantman to the command of one of Uncle Sam's war vessels. With the American schooner "Adrianna," Captain Dennison saved the United States steamship "Wyoming," which had been run ashore by her rebel-sympathizing crew in the Gulf of California, July 31, 1861. The "Wyoming" taught the Japanese to respect the valor of American seamen by fighting singly the combined Japanese fort and fleet, and achieving a most audacious victory in the Strait of Simonoseki, whence warships of three nations had been driven. The "Wyoming" was one of the United States squadron then in the Pacific Ocean. Lieutenant Murray required Captain Dennison to leave the "Adrianna" for the time and go on board the "Wyoming," which was in so critical a position that Captain Dennison realized that they must work night and day to save her. He called for the pilot who was in command when the "Wyoming" grounded, for the moral circumstances of the movement assured him that the vessel had been purposely run ashore. The discipline of the "Wyoming" was exceedingly lax. Her late Captain and other officers, honored with commissions by the United States government, had deserted the vessel and had gone to join the rebels; and of those who remained behind many were tainted with sentiments hostile to the government. While Dennison and Murray were talking over affairs, the pilot, who without any authority had been set ashore, made off and was seen no more. The "Wyoming" went ashore at high water, under full steam, with the power of her engine fully developed. Her keel lay parallel to the coast, far from the nearest habitation. After running her ashore, the crew had taken the steam anchor out over the starboard bow and planted it farther upon the reef. The cable of this anchor had been tightened by the Captain, and the ship had thus gone -farther ashore and more into danger. The "Wyoming" had been thoroughly overhauled and. repaired at the Mare Island navy-yard, and had on board all her stores and equipments. The tides in the Gulf of California are scarcely perceptible, and a ship ashore anywhere in it increased her danger by delay. As soon as Captain Dennison took charge, the "Adrianna " hauled alongside and commenced to take aboard the shot and shell; and, having lightened her burden, the ship thus took out astern the bow anchors of the disabled vessel, and at 6 P. M., August 2, got the gunboat afloat and towed it into Petaluma Bay, a snug harbor, where the transfer of stores was made. On the evening of August 4 both vessels went to sea, the "Adrianna" in tow of the "Wyoming." On August 7, at 9 A.M., the "Wyoming" discharged the "Adrianna." Thus for seven days did the "Adrianna;" interrupting her voyage, stand by the unfortunate ship, saving her from imminent peril. Captain Dennison was at one time in command of the "Cherokee," and served the blockade at Fort Fisher. On his return from the war he commanded the steamer "City of Richmond" until the "Frank Jones" went on the line. His steamboat route was from Portland to Machias and Mount Desert, and he also went from Portland to Bangor. He belonged to the A. F. & A. M., Portland Commandery, Knights Templars, and to the Loyal Legion. He was a member of Bosworth Post, Grand Army of the Republic, the Society of California Pioneers, and the Virginia Veterans. By his first marriage Captain Dennison had one son, A. Crossman Dennison, pilot of the "Bay State." On May 1, 1887, he married Miss Lizzie E. Tobey, daughter of H. N. Tobey, of Machiasport. Mrs. Dennison survives her husband with two children - William W. and Adelaide Boothby Dennison.