American naval officer, born in Boston, MA, on the 16th of January 1807; died at Norfolk, VA, on the 18th of February 1877. He entered the navy in 1823, served first in the Pacific and then in the Mediterranean squadron; was engaged subsequently in coast duty (1842–56), and while surveying in the vicinity of Nantucket, located several hitherto undiscovered shoals in the track of ocean steamers sailing between Europe and New York, which accounted for many unexplained accidents in the same vicinity. In 1861 he became a member of a board to inquire into the condition of the Southern coast harbors and defenses. The investigations resulted in a decision to send an expedition against Port Royal. He was made flag-officer of the Mississippi squadron, and, joining Admiral Farragut, engaged in the Vicksburg operations, and led an expedition up to Yazoo River. He was commissioned commodore in 1862, in 1863 was made rear-admiral, and from 1867 to 1869 was commander of the South Atlantic squadron. Later he was appointed commander of the United States navy-yard at Norfolk. Admiral Davis was a member of several scientific societies, and was a writer on mathematical, astronomical and geodetic subjects, his best known books being Memoir upon the Geological Action of Tidal and Other Currents of the Ocean and The Law of Deposit of the Flood Tide.
