MURPHY, John McLeod, civil engineer, born in Northcastle, Westchester County, New York, 14 February, 1827" died in New York city, 1 June, 1871. He entered the United States navy as midshipman, 18 February, 1841, was promoted passed midshipman, 10 August, 1847, and resigned, 10 May, 1852. He served in the war with Mexico, and in 1851 was detailed as hydrographic assistant on Major John G. Barnard's survey of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. In 1853 he visited Mexico, and in 1855 he was surveyor of the city of New York. He was constructing engineer of the Brooklyn navy-yard in 1856-'7, and in 1860-'1 was a member of the New York state senate. In the latter year he was commissioned colonel of New York engineers, and took part in the campaigns of the Army of the Potomac until the close of 1862, when he returned to the navy as acting lieutenant and was in command of the "Carondelet" during the Vicksburg campaign. On 30 July, 1864, he again resigned and resumed his profession as a civil engineer. Lieutenant Murphy was a frequent contributor to the newspaper and periodical press on subjects connected with his specialty.