Joseph Berry Breck

Breck was born in Maine, the son of Benjamin Dunton Breck and Jane S. Simmons. Breck had a successful career in the American mercantile marine as a shipmaster and businessman, and at the outbreak of the Civil War was engaged in the Pacific and China trade, but soon offered his services to the Navy Department.^[2] He was eventually commissioned as an Acting Ensign on February 27, 1863.^[1] From April 24, 1863^[3] he commanded the screw steamer Niphon, taking a prominent part in the destruction of the saltworks at Masonboro Inlet, North Carolina, on August 27, 1864, and on many other expeditions ashore.^[1] He received rapid promotion; to Acting Master on August 8, 1863, to Acting Volunteer Lieutenant on November 16, 1863, and to Acting Volunteer Lieutenant Commander on November 25, 1864.^[3]

Although his health was much impaired, Breck remained in command of Niphon until invalided out of the service by a medical board in November 1864.^[1] (His younger brother Lowell Mason Breck (1839–1863), who served under him aboard Niphon, was also invalided out of the Navy suffering from "consumption", from which he soon died.^[2]) Seeking a climate conducive to his recovery Lt-Cdr. Breck travelled to San Francisco, California, but died on July 26, 1865, soon after his arrival there.^[1] He was buried in Arlington National Cemetery.^{[citation needed]}

Breck was married twice, firstly to Fredonia Gaston, and after her death to Ellen Francis Newell, by whom he had four children; twin daughters, who died in infancy, and two sons. The eldest son, John Leslie Breck (1860–1899)^[2] became a noted impressionist painter,^[4] while the younger, Edward Breck (1861–1929)^[2] was a scholar, journalist, champion golfer and fencer, and an officer of U.S. Naval Intelligence during the Spanish–American and First World Wars.^[5]

The destroyer Breck (DD-283) (1919–1930) was named for him.