BENHAM, Andrew Ellicott Kennedy, naval officer, born on Staten island. 10 April, 1832. He entered the navy as a midshipman, 24 November, 1847, and became a passed midshipman, 10 June, 1853. He was ordered to the "Princeton" in July, 1853, transferred to the "St. Mary's," Pacific squadron, and served on her till 1857, and was commissioned a master, 15 September, and lieutenant, 16 September, 1855. He was attached to the "Crusader," on the Home station, in 1860-'1, and when the civil war began he was made executive officer of the "Bienville," in the South Atlantic blockade, where he participated in the capture of Port Royal, South Carolina, and in 1863 served in the " Sacramento'" Benham was promoted to lieutenant-commander, 16 July, 1862, and given the "Penobscot," in the Western Gulf blockading squadron, until the close of the war in 1865. He was on duty at the Brooklyn navy-yard in 1866, and on special service in the "Susquehanna" in 1867. He was promoted to commander, 25 July, 1866, served at the Brooklyn navy-yard in 1868-'9, as light-house inspector in 1870-'1, and commanded the monitors "Saugus" in 1871-'2 and " Canonicus" in 1872-'3, on the North Atlantic station. He then served as lighthouse inspector in 1874-'8, was promoted to captain, 12 March, 1875, and commanded the flag-ship "Richmond," on the Asiatic station, in 1878-'81. He was on duty at Portsmouth navy-yard from 8 December, 1881, until 15 November, 1884, when he was appointed lighthouse inspector, and served until January, 1888. He was promoted to the rank of commodore, 30 October, 1885.