AN OFFICER OF SIX NAVIES: The Life of Confederate Commander Hunter Davidson

Tells the swashbuckling story of Hunter Davidson (1826-1913), who enjoyed one of the most remarkable careers at sea of any officer. Before he fought against the U.S. Navy, he served in that navy for nearly two decades. Considered an intelligent and promising, albeit contentious, young officer, Davidson was an instructor at the U.S. Naval Academy in 1861 when he resigned to join the Virginia State Navy. After the collapse of the Confederacy in 1865, the Chilean Navy recruited him and his torpedo expertise to help repel a threatened Spanish invasion. He went on to spend four years as the first commander of the Maryland State Oyster Police before finding a new home in Argentina as commander of that nation's Torpedo and Hydrographic departments. Contains 35 images and 5 maps.