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Selfridge (THOMAS OLIVER an American)

THOMAS OLIVER, an American naval officer; born in Charlestown, Mass., Feb. 6, 1836; son of rear admiral of same name, graduated at U. S. Naval Academy in 1854, and promoted lieutenant in 1860. During the Civil War he was serving on board the "Cumberland" when she was sunk by the "Merrimac" in Hampton Roads in 1862; commanded the ironclad "Cairo," which was blown up on the Yazoo river; had charge of a battery at the capture of Vicksburg; participated in both attacks SELIM on Fort Fisher, and commanded several vessels in the Mississippi fleet. He was promoted commander in 1869 and had charge of the surveys for the canal across the Isthmus of Darien in 1869-1874; was a member of the International Congress at Paris in 1876 and in 1896 was promoted rear admiral. He was retired, Feb. 6, 1898.