David Henshaw (1791-1852) was the 14th United States Secretary of the Navy.
Henshaw was born in Leicester, Massachusetts, on April 2, 1791. Trained as a druggist, he achieved notable success in that field, then expanded his energies into banking, transportation and politics. He was elected to the Massachusetts Senate in 1826 and served as Collector of the Port of Boston from the late 1820s until 1838. Though he suffered business reverses during the later 1830s, Henshaw regained his political position as a leader of the Massachusetts Democratic Party within a few years.
In July 1843, President John Tyler selected Henshaw as Secretary of the Navy. During his brief term in office, he addressed shipbuilding problems, selected senior officers for important seagoing commands, revised supply arrangements in the Navy Yards and attempted to establish a school for Midshipmen. His recess appointment as Secretary failed to receive Congressional confirmation, requiring that he leave office when his successor was confirmed. Henshaw then returned to Massachusetts politics. He died on November 11, 1852.
USS Henshaw (DD-278) was named in his honor.
This article incorporates public domain text from the Naval Historical Center.
