READ, George Campbell, naval officer, born in Ireland about 1787; died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 22 August, 1862. He came to the United States at an early age, was appointed a midshipman in the navy on 2 April, 1804, and advanced to the rank of lieutenant on 25 April, 1810. He was 3d lieutenant on the "Constitution" when the British frigate "Guerridre" was captured, and Captain Isaac Hull assigned to him the honor of receiving the surrender of Captain James R. Dacres, the British commander. He took an active part in other engagements of the war of 1812, and near its close commanded the brig "Chippewa," of tile flying squadron commanded by Commander Oliver H. Perry that was sent out to destroy the enemy's commerce. He was promoted commander on 27 April, 1816, and captain on 3 March, 1825, took charge of the East India squadron in 1840, and of the squadron on the coast of Africa in 1846, and, after commanding the Mediterranean squadron for some time, was placed on the reserve list on 13 September, 1855. In 1861 he was appointed governor of the Naval asylum in Philadelphia, and on 31 July, 1862, by virtue of an act of congress that had been recently passed, was made a rear-admiral on the retired list.