The New International Encyclopædia/Sloat, John Drake

SLOAT, slōt, John Drake (1780-1867). An American naval officer, born in New York City. He entered the navy as a midshipman in 1800, but after a year's service was honorably discharged through operation of the Peace Establishment Act of 1801. In 1812, however, he reëntered the navy as a sailing-master, and throughout the war with England was attached to the frigate United States, which in October, 1812, captured the British frigate Macedonian. In 1813 he was promoted to be lieutenant. In 1823-25 he commanded the schooner Grampus, which was one of the squadron engaged in suppressing piracy in the West Indies. He became a captain in 1837, commanded the Portsmouth Navy Yard in 1840-44, and from 1844 to 1846 was in command of the Pacific Squadron, and took possession of Monterey and San Francisco at the outbreak of the Mexican War. He commanded the Norfolk Navy Yard in 1847-51, and was retired in 1861, but was subsequently promoted to the rank of commodore in 1862 and to that of admiral in 1866.