Samuel Francis du Pont

[[Image:Samuel francis du pont.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Samuel Francis du Pont by Daniel Huntington

Between the wars

Du Pont served most of the next decade on shore assignment, and his efforts during this time are credited with helping to modernize the U.S. Navy. He studied the possibilities of steam power, and emphasized engineering and mathematics in the curriculum that he established for the new United States Naval Academy. He was appointed superintendent of the Academy, but resigned after four months because he believed it was a post more appropriate for someone closer to retirement age. He advocated for a more mobile and offensive Navy, rather than the harbor defense function that much of it was then relegated to, and worked on revising naval rules and regulations. After being appointed to the board of the U.S. Lighthouse Service, his recommendations for upgrading the antiquated system were largely adopted by Congress in a lighthouse bill.

Related Topics:
Steam power - Engineering - United States Naval Academy - U.S. Lighthouse Service - Congress - Lighthouse

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In 1853, du Pont was made general superintendent over the Exhibition of the Industry of All Nations, the first World's Fair in the United States, to be held in New York City. Despite international praise, low attendance caused the venture to go into heavy debt and du Pont resigned.

Related Topics:
1853 - Exhibition of the Industry of All Nations - World's Fair - New York City

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Du Pont became an enthusiastic supporter of naval reform, writing in support of the 1855 congressional act to "Promote the Efficiency of the Navy." He was appointed to the Naval Efficiency Board and oversaw the removal of 201 naval officers. When those under fire called upon friends in Congress, however, du Pont himself became the subject of heavy criticism, and subsequent review of the dismissal resulted in the reinstatement of nearly half of those removed.

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Du Pont was promoted to captain in 1855. In 1857, he was given command of Minnesota and ordered to transport William Reed, the U.S. Minister to China, to his post in Peiping. Du Pont's Minnesota was one of seventeen warships parading Western force in China, and after China failed to satisfy demands for greater access to its ports, he witnessed the capture of Chinese forts on the Peiho River by the French and English on April 28, 1858. He then sailed to Japan, India, and Arabia, finally returning to Boston in May of 1859. He played a major role in the receiving of the Japanese ambassador that year, accompanying him on his three-month visit to Washington, Baltimore, and Philadelphia; the trip was a breakthrough for opening Japan to American trade and investment. Du Pont was then made commandant of the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard in 1860. He expected to retire in this post, but the outbreak of the Civil War returned him to active duty.

Related Topics:
Captain - 1857 - ''Minnesota'' - William Reed - Peiping - Peiho River - French - English - April 28 - 1858 - Japan - India - Arabia - Boston - 1859 - Baltimore - Philadelphia Naval Shipyard - 1860

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