Lt. Colonel John M. Gamble is chiefly remembered in history as the only Marine to ever command a U.S. Naval vessel, and he did this not once, but twice. He commanded two separate prizes captured by the USS Essex while operating in the Pacific Ocean.
The Essex was commanded by David Porter, father of eventual Union Admiral David Dixon Porter. and raised another Union Admiral who achieved fame also in the Civil War, David Glasgow Farragut. As a matter of fact, Farragut accompanied David Porter in this Pacific cruise.
The two ships that Gamble commanded were the aforementioned Sir Andrew Hammond and Greenwich. For want of Navy officers, Gamble was placed in charge.
--Brock-Perry
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