SHAW, Thompson Darrah, naval officer, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 20 August, 1801; died in German-town, Pennsylvania, 26 July, 1874. He entered the navy as a midshipman, 20 May, 1820, was commissioned lieutenant, 17 May, 1828, and served in the West Indies in 1831-'2. He was transferred to the "Natchez" in April, 1833, and then to the "Lexington" as flag-lieutenant of the Brazil squadron, and subsequently as an officer of that ship until 1835. He was on leave at Philadelphia for two years, and was then 1st lieutenant of the frigate "Constitution," of the Pacific squadron, in 1838-'41. During the Mexican war he commanded the schooner "Petrel," and was highly complimented for his conduct in engagements at Tampico, Vera Cruz, and Tuspan in 1846-'7. Upon his return to Philadelphia a committee of citizens presented him with a sword and epaulets. He was commissioned commander, 7 August, 1850, had charge of the naval rendezvous at Philadelphia in 1852-'4, and in 1854-'5 commanded the sloop "Falmouth" in the Home squadron. He was placed on the reserved list in 1855, but claimed that this did him an injustice, and was restored to his rank by a naval court in 1857. He was then on leave until the civil war began, when he took command of the steamer "Montgomery," in the Gulf blockading squadron. He was retired, 26 February, 1862, on his own application, after more than forty years' service. He was continued on special duty at New York, Philadelphia, and Boston in 1863-'7, and was promoted to commodore on the retired list on 4 April, 1867, after which he was unemployed. See "Defence of Thompson Darrah Shaw before the Naval Court of Inquiry," by his counsel Robert K. Scott (Washington, 1857).