WORDEN, John Lorimer, naval officer, born in Westchester county, New York, 12 March, 1818. He entered the navy as a midshipman, 12 January, 1835, attended the naval school at Philadelphia in 1840, and became a passed midshipman on 16 July of that year. He was promoted to lieutenant, 30 November, 1846, and served on various vessels and at the naval observatory till the civil war. In April, 1861, he delivered the orders :from the secretary of the navy by which Fort Pickens was saved for the Union, and upon his attempt to return to the north overland he was arrested and confined as a prisoner of war for seven months. When he was exchanged he was ordered to superintend the completion of John Ericsson's "Monitor," and appointed to take command. He left New York hastily in his vessel, and after experiencing great danger arrived at Hampton Roads. On 8 March, 1862, the iron-clad ram " Merrimac" had come down from Norfolk and had sunk the " Congress " and the "Cumberland." Worden anchored alongside of the " Minnesota," then aground on the shoal, and prepared to defend the fleet when the "Merrimac" reappeared. Early the next morning, 9 March, the ram prepared to attack the "Minnesota," but when she was within a mile of the ship the " Monitor" steamed out. The "Merrimac " fired broadsides upon the " Monitor," but all the shots that struck her turret glanced off; the " Monitor" fired deliberately about every seven minutes, every shot taking effect. Worden endeavored to get as close as possible, while the "Merrimac " fired as rapidly as the guns could be served. The duel continued for more than two hours, when the " Merrimac "attempted to ram the "Monitor," but Worden avoided the blow by maneuvring, so that the ram glanced off. Worden had orders not to use heavy charges, as the eleven-inch guns were considered too weak for more than fifteen-pound charges, with which he could not penetrate the " Merrimac's" heavy armor. At 11.30 a. M. a shell exploded on the pilot-house of the "Monitor " while Worden was looking through the slit, and the powder and flame was driven into his eyes, rendering him blind and helpless. (See GREENE, SAMUEL DANA.) Lieutenant Greene, the second in command, continued the action; but the " Merrimac" soon withdrew to Norfolk. It was a drawn battle, but the "Merrimac" was prevented from accomplishing her purpose of destroying the National fleet and eventually securing the independence of the Confederates by capturing Washington, New York, and other cities, as had been expected. Honors were showered upon Worden for this service. Congress gave him a vote of thanks, 11 July, 1862, and again on 3 February, 1863, and recommended him to be advanced one grade for his conduct in this conflict. He was commissioned a commander, 12 July, 1862, and, in accord-ante with the second vote of thanks, was promoted to captain, 3 February, 1863. He recovered from the injuries to his eyes, and commanded the monitor "Montauk," in the South Atlantic blockading squadron, from January till June, 1863. In order to test the ability of the monitors to withstand heavy gun-fire from forts, Worden was sent to engage Fort McAllister, at Genesee point, on Ogeechee river, and reported that he was convinced they could do so. In this expedition he destroyed the Confederate privateer "Nashville," which had taken shelter under the guns of Fort McAllister. He participated in the blockade of Charleston, and in the attack on the forts of Charleston by Admiral Dupont's squadron on 7 April, 1863. After receiving his promotion to captain, he was on duty at New York connected with the iron-clads in 1863-'6. He commanded the "Pensacola," in the Pacific squadron, in 1866-'7, and was on special duty in 1868. He was promoted to commodore, 27 Nay, 1868, and was superintendent of the naval academy in 1870-'4. He was commissioned a rear-admiral, 20 November, 1872, was commander-in-chief of the European squadron from 3 February, 1875, till 23 December, 1877, and then served as member of the examining board and president of the retiring board until 23 December, 1886. As he had received two votes of thanks from congress, he was retained by operation of law on the active list until he should have had fifty-five years of service, but he was retired with the highest sea-pay of his grade, at his own request, by special act of congress, 23 December, 1886.