Served on the U.S. Steamer Seminole

(1843-93) He enlisted on January 30, 1863 at Boston, Massachusetts, as Masters Mate, and was assigned to duty onboard the U.S. Steamer Seminole. He remained serving on this vessel until November 15, 1865, and during the last year of the war, he was promoted to rank of "Acting Ensign." The U.S.S. Seminole was a steam sloop-of-war launched in the Pensacola, Florida Navy Yard in 1859, and was used early in the war on the eastern seaboard. At the time David had this photograph taken he was at the Brooklyn Navy Yard as the Seminole was undergoing repairs. When completed the ship was assigned to the West Gulf Blockading Squadron. En route to her duty station she captured the Confederate steamer C.S.S. Charleston on July 11, 1863, and on September 11th she took the steamer Sir William Peel, off the mouth of the Rio Grande carrying 1,000 bales of cotton at the time of her capture. In August 1864, she participated in the Battle of Mobile Bay, Alabama.

Wet plate, albumen, carte de visite photograph, mounted to 2 3/8 x 4 card mount. Full standing view of Perkins wearing a rolling collar frock coat with a single row of buttons and plain cuffs. He wears an oval belt plate and affixed to his belt at his waist is a Model 1852 Naval Officer’s sword. He poses in front of s studio background. There are a few small pin pricks at the upper center of the sky area which does not touch upon the subject in any way. Very sharp image. Back mark: Howard & Marsh's Gallery, 130 Fulton St., Brooklyn. There is a detailed advertisement below the photographer's imprint as follows: Photographs of all sizes, in India ink, Oil and Water Colors, Daguerreotypes and other Pictures, copied to any size. Very desirable armed Union naval officer's image.

The ID for this image comes from a published article titled, "Blockade Runners U.S. Steamer Seminole, West Gulf Blockading Squadron. 1863-1864: David King Perkins to Amelia Perkins. The article includes this exact pose and back mark as well as 8 war time letters that Masters Mate Perkins wrote home to his younger sister Caroline Amelia Perkins. It also includes a U.S. Naval document related to Perkins, and a beautiful pencil sketch of the U.S.S. Seminole at sea.