TINGEY-THOMAS

FIRST  COMMANDANT  OF  WASHINGTON  NAVY  YARD

Thomas Tingey was born in London, England, on September 11, 1750.  As a youth, he served in the British Navy as a Midshipman aboard the HMS Panther and later in July 1771 commanded a blockhouse at Chateaux Bay on the Labrador coast.  Later, he commanded merchant vessels in the West Indies before coming to the colonies.  In September 1798 he was commissioned a Captain in the U.S. Navy and distinguished himself in the Quasi-War with France.  He reportedly commanded a squadron which cruised the waters of the Windward Passage between Hispaniola and Cuba to protect American shipping from French privateers.  During this period he took four prizes.

In January 1800, Tingey was appointed to supervise construction of the new Washington Navy Yard at Washington D.C. and became its first Commandant on November 23, 1804.  He served as the commandant until his death on February 23, 1829.  He was buried with military honors in what is now known as the Congressional Cemetery in Washington, D.C.

Three Navy ships has been named USS Tingey in his honor.  In addition, the main gate of the Washington Navy Yard which was constructed in 1806 continues to carry his name as the Tingey Gate.

Submitted by CDR Roy A. Mosteller, USNR (Ret)