SANDS, Joshua Rattoon [1795-1884] -- American naval officer

SANDS, Joshua Ratoon, naval officer, was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., May 13, 1795; son of the Hon. Joshua Sands. He was appointed midshipman in the U.S. navy, June 18, 1812; served under Commodore Chauncey on Lake Ontario, in the action with the Royal George; was transferred to the Madison in April, 1813, and carried orders from Chauncey to the different vessels during the engagement resulting in the capture of Toronto, and also took part in the capture of Fort George. He was attached to the Pike, and served on shore in a battery in 1814, until ordered to the frigate Superior. He was attached to the Washington in the Mediterranean, 1815-18; was promoted lieutenant, April 1, 1818, served on board the Hornet off the coast of Africa, and in the West Indies in 1819; on the Franklin on Pacific coast, 1821-24; on the Vandalia, Brazil, 1828-30; was on recruiting duty, 1830-40; was promoted commander, Feb. 23, 1841, and was at the navy yard, New York, 1841-43. He commanded the Falmouth in the Gulf and West Indies, 1843-45; the Vixen during the Mexican war; took part in the capture of Alverado, Tabasco and Laguna, and was made governor of Laguna. He engaged the castle of San Juan d'Ulloa from Point Horwas in the attack on Vera Cruz; assisted in the capture of Tampico and Tuspan in 1847, and was intrusted with various trophies of war, which he conveyed horse, together with despatches and a letter to the navy department commending his action in the engagements. He commanded the North Carolinas, 1848-50; the frigate St. Lawrence at the World's fair in England, and at Portugal in 1851, and was promoted Captain, Feb. 25, 1854. He commanded the Susquehanna in Central America; in the Mediterranean and in England, 1856; was engaged in laying the Atlantic cable in 1857, and was a member of the expedition to Central America against General Walker's filibusters. He commanded the Brazilian squadron on the flagship Congress, 1859-61; was retired by age limit, Dec. 21, 1861, and was promoted commodore on the retired list, July 16, 1862, and rear-admiral, July 25, 1866. He served as light-house inspector on Lakes Erie and Ontario and the St. Lawrence river, 1862-66, and as port-admiral at Norfolk, Va., 1869-72. He gave the sword and epaulets presented him by the citizens of Brooklyn, N.Y., and the gold snuff box inlaid with diamonds, the gift of Queen Victoria in 1851, to the Historical society of Brooklyn. He was senior officer of the navy on the retired list at the time of his death, which occurred in Baltimore, Md., Oct. 2, 1883. BDNA