Black Sailors in the Civil War Navy: A Short Profile of Martin F. Becker

By Laura Lawfer Orr
Director of Education

As our staff and volunteers conducted research for our upcoming Battle of Hampton Roads exhibit revamp, we found the name of Martin Becker on USS Cumberland’s muster roll. Becker was a Black Sailor serving aboard Cumberland when the wooden sloop-of-war was sunk by the ironclad CSS Virginia on March 8, 1862. While little is known about Becker’s actual experiences during the Battle of Hampton Roads, his service fits into the larger history of Black Sailors in the U.S. Navy.

Sinking of the Cumberland (James Gurney)

African Americans have served in the U.S. fleet ever since the Revolutionary War. Although they long represented a small minority of America’s sailing navy, Black Sailors participated in all of the nation’s foundational naval engagements. But early integration did not bring equality. Officially, the U.S. Navy did not allow Black Sailors to become officers, nor could Black enlisted personnel rise higher than the lowest rating, Ship’s Boy. From 1839 to the commencement of the Civil War, African Americans could not constitute more than five percent of the fleet’s enlisted force. However, once the slave states declared secession—and their representatives departed Congress—the U.S. government rescinded some of those restrictions. By the summer of 1862, the proportion of Black Sailors serving in the fleet climbed to fifteen percent.

Martin Becker as a young man enlisted in the Navy in his home country of Suriname (Fitchburg Historical Society)

When the Civil War began, 41-year-old Martin F. Becker wanted to fight for his adopted country. Born in South America in Paramaribo, Suriname, Becker moved to the United States in the 1840s. He owned and operated a barber shop in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. During the summer of 1861, Becker chose to enlist. Since the U.S. Army did not allow Black men to enlist at that time, Becker joined the Navy, and on August 3, 1861, he reported aboard USS Cumberland, mustering in as a landsman.

Little is known about Becker’s service aboard Cumberland. He remained on the ship for the next seven months, assisting the crew in its mission to blockade Hampton Roads. Becker participated in the March 8, 1862, battle against CSS Virginia, an engagement that led to Cumberland’s sinking. Although 123 Sailors went down with the ship, Becker and 252 shipmates survived. The following month, Becker was honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy.

Martin Becker with his wife, Caroline, in the 1850s (Fitchburg Historical Society)

A year later, Becker decided to return to combat. By this time, the U.S. Army allowed Black men to serve in segregated units, and on May 16, 1863, Becker joined Company B, 55th Massachusetts Infantry. In June, he received a promotion to commissary sergeant, and in March 1864, he became regimental quartermaster sergeant. On November 30, 1864, the 55th Massachusetts participated in the Battle of Honey Hill, in South Carolina. During this battle, Becker was wounded in his right ankle. In 1865, he secured a commission as second lieutenant—a rarity for Black soldiers—but his regiment mustered out before his commission arrived.

The 55th Massachusetts marching through the streets of Charleston, SC. Harper's Weekly, February 21, 1865 (Library of Congress)

After the war, Becker advocated for equal voting rights. His regiment had campaigned in South Carolina, and he chose to stay there to assist in Reconstruction. In 1868, he joined a Black majority convention that revised the state’s constitution. In 1870, during the first election after the 15th Amendment’s ratification, he served as an election manager. He stepped in when white residents contested the victory of Congressman Robert DeLarge, a bi-racial Republican. Becker’s testimony before the House of Representatives ensured that DeLarge took his seat in 1871.

Martin Becker continued to live in South Carolina until his death in 1880. He was buried in Laurel Hill Cemetery in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. Although little is known about Becker’s naval career, it formed a crucial link in his quest to achieve racial equality. More than anything, Landsman Martin Becker was a bluejacket who fought for the freedom of all men.