PREBLE, GEORGE HENRY (1816-85). An American naval officer, born at Portland. Me. He entered the United States Navy as a midship man in 1835, and during the war with Mexico participated in the operations along the Gulf coast of that country. In 1S53 he was assigned to the Macedonian, one of the fleet with which Commodore Matthew C. Perry made his visit to .Tapan, and while in the Far East he was sent on an expedition to punish the Chinese pirates. During the early part of 1862 he commanded the gun-boat Katandin and participated in Farragut's operations against New Orleans. He was pro moted to the rank of commander in July, 1862, and while he was commanding the Oneida off Mo bile his blockade was broken by the Confederate cruiser Oreto or Florida. For this he was dis missed from the service until it was learned that the Florida owed her escape solely to her superior speed. Preble was then reinstated. He com manded the Saint Louis in European waters dur ing the greater part of 1863 and 1864. was then
ordered home, and was placed in command of the fleet brigade which co6perated with General Sher man's army. He was chief of staff of the North Pacific Squadron in 1868-71T, commandant of the Philadelphia navy yard in 1873-75, and com manding officer of the South Pacific Station in 1877-78. In 1876 he was promoted to the rank of rear-admiral, and two years later retired from the service. In the latter part of his life he devoted considerable attention to hi,torical sub jects, contributed frequently to the New England Historical and Genealogical Register and to the United Service Maga.:ine, and published: A His tory of the Flag of the United States of America and of the Nara! and Yacht Club Signals, Seals, and Arms, and the Principal National Songs of the United States (1880) : and A Chronological History of the Origin and Derelopment of Steam Navigation (ISS3).