Joseph Hull went to sea as a midshipman in 1813. He was promoted to lieutenant in 1815, to commander in 1841, captain in 1855 and to commodore in 1862. On July 16, 1862, he was released from active duty to assume the duties as Superintendent of Gunboat Construction in St. Louis, Missouri. Together with Edward Hartt, he oversaw the U. S. Navy construction program on “Western” waters. Hull found and supervised the purchase and conversion of the first two purpose-modified tinclads, the St. Clair and Brilliant.

In 1866 Hull became commandant of the Philadelphia Navy Yard.

Hull died in Philadelphia on January 17, 1890.

Carte-de-Visite by E. A. Anthony, New York, N.Y.

Image Courtesy Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield; WICR 31993