Melancthon Brooks Woolsey

Melancthon Brooks Woolsey (11 August 1817 – 2 October 1874) was an officer in the United States Navy during and after the American Civil War.

Assigned initially to the receiving ship at New York, Woolsey assumed command of the steamer Ellen by late 1861 and began patrol duty with the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.

On 28 June 1863, Princess Royal helped to defend the town of Donaldsonville, Louisiana, against a determined Southern attack, and Comdr.

He remained with the blockade through the end of the war and, by July 1866, saw his name returned to the active list in the rank of captain.

At the time, an epidemic of yellow fever raged at Pensacola, and he deemed it necessary to remain at his post to prevent panic.