Thomas Holdup Stevens Jr. (27 May 1819 – 15 May 1896) was an admiral of the United States Navy who fought in the American Civil War.
Early life and commission
Stevens, the son of Captain Thomas Holdup Stevens (1795–1841) was born in Middletown, Connecticut, on 27 May 1819. He was appointed acting midshipman on 14 December 1836 and, after two years at sea in , was warranted midshipman. After three months leave, from April to June 1840, he served at the Depot of Charts and Instruments. Following a tour at the Washington Navy Yard and coast survey duty at New York, he attended the Naval School at Philadelphia, stood his examination on 2 June 1842, and was warranted a passed midshipman on 2 July. Between 1842 and 1855, Stevens served at various posts ashore, among which were two tours on coast survey duty, one tour as acting master of during her construction and 30 months as storekeeper in Honolulu, Hawaii. In September 1855, Lt. Stevens was dropped from the Navy under an Act of 28 February 1855.
American Civil War
On 29 January 1858, he was recommissioned a lieutenant. From then until the outbreak of the Civil War, Stevens served with the Home Squadron, principally in , , and Michigan. On 4 September 1861, he assumed command of . In November, he fought at Port Royal, South Carolina and helped capture Forts Beauregard and Walker. Between New Year's Day and 4 March 1862, he blockaded the coast of Florida and helped to capture Fort Clinch, and the towns of Fernandina and St. Mary's. He also commanded the first expedition up the St. Johns River in March and April.
Late in April, he transferred to the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron, and to the command of . He commanded her in operations supporting General George McClellan's advance during the Peninsula Campaign in May 1862.
Family
His son Thomas Holdup Stevens III (12 July 1848 – 3 October 1914) was an 1868 United States Naval Academy graduate who retired from the Navy as a rear admiral in February 1905. Born in Honolulu while his father was naval storekeeper there, Stevens III commanded the naval battalion and national guard troops at the August 1898 ceremonies in which the Republic of Hawaii became a territory of the United States. He married Cara de la Montagnie Hall, the eldest daughter of former New York City mayor A. Oakey Hall, on 23 April 1903.
Legacy
In 1942, the destroyer was named in honor of both R.Adm. Stevens and his father, Capt. Thomas H. Stevens.