After his mother's death, the future admiral, then named James, entered the household of naval officer David Porter and began going to sea at about nine years old. He adopted the name David in honor of his foster father and had already accumulated years of practical experience by the War of 1812. In an era without modern naval academies, trusted households transmitted professional skill and responsibility. The arrangement also served the patron: a successfully trained officer brought honor to the family and could later become a trusted subordinate in a larger command.
Chapter · 5:00-10:18
A naval-family apprenticeship from childhood
Farragut's adoption into David Porter's family shows how early nineteenth-century navies used family trust and sea service to train officers from childhood.