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{{Infobox Biography| subject_name =Melanchton B. Woolsey| image_name =454px-Melancthon_Brooks_Woolsey.jpg| image_size =225px| image_caption =| date_of_birth =[[August 11]], [[1817]]| place_of_birth =Sackett's Harbor, New York| date_of_death =[[October 2]], [[1874]]| place_of_death =Pensacola| occupation =Navy officer| religion =| spouse =| parents =| children =}}'''Melancthon Brooks Woolsey ''' ([[August 11 August ]], [[1817 ]] – [[October 2 October ]], [[1874]]) was an officer in the [[United States Navy ]] during the American [[Civil War]].

Woolsey, the son of Commodore [[Wikipedia:Melancthon Taylor Woolsey|Melancthon Taylor Woolsey]], was born at Sackett's Harbor, New York. He entered the Navy as a midshipman on September 24 September , 1832. After duty at sea and a tour at the Naval School, Woolsey became a passed midshipman on July 16 July , 1840. He progressed through the rank of master to that of lieutenant by 1847. It was in that rank that he was placed on the reserve list by the retiring board in September 1855. Lt. Woolsey returned to active duty in 1861 as a result of the Civil War.[[Image:454px-Melancthon_Brooks_Woolsey.jpg|thumbnail|right|Commodore Melancthon B. Woolsey]]Assigned initially to the receiving ship at New York, Woolsey had assumed command of the steamer Ellen by late 1861 and began patrol duty with the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron. During that tour, his ship fought Confederate forces on three separate occasions. In May 1862, he engaged Fort Pemberton at Wapper Creek, South Carolina. On 1 June, his ship repelled a Confederate cavalry attack at Secessionville. Three days later, he commanded Ellen during the attack on James Island.

In July 1862, he was promoted Assigned initially to commander and placed in command of the sloop Vandalia. That duty lasted until early 1863receiving ship at New York, at which time he was transferred to Woolsey had assumed command of the steamer Princess Royal. That ship was assigned to ''Ellen'' by late 1861 and began patrol duty with the West Gulf South Atlantic Blockading Squadron and patrolled the coasts of Louisiana and Texas. On 28 June 1863During that tour, Princess Royal helped to defend the town of Donaldsvillehis ship fought Confederate forces on three separate occasions. In May 1862, Louisianahe engaged Fort Pemberton at Wapper Creek, against a determined Southern attackSouth Carolina. On June 1, and Comdr. Woolsey received high commendation from his superiors for his ship's contribution to the successful defense of the townrepelled a Confederate cavalry attack at Secessionville. He remained with the blockade through the end of the war andThree days later, by July 1866, saw his name returned to he commanded ''Ellen'' during the active list in the rank of captainattack on James Island.

Following the Civil War, Capt. Woolsey commanded the sloop-of-war Pawnee on the South Atlantic Station in 1867 and 1868. In 1869July 1862, he took command of the South Atlantic Station flagship Guerriere. In 1871, Woolsey was promoted to commodore, probably as flag officer commander and placed in charge command of the South Atlantic Stationsloop ''Vandalia''. His last tour of That duty came in March 1873lasted until early 1863, when at which time he took over as commandant was transferred to command of the navy yard at Pensacola, Floridasteamer ''Princess Royal''. Commodore Woolsey received orders detaching him from command of That ship was assigned to the navy yard in West Gulf Blockading Squadron and patrolled the summer coasts of 1874Louisiana and Texas. At On June 28, 1863, Princess Royal helped to defend the timetown of Donaldsville, Louisiana, an epidemic of yellow fever raged at Pensacolaagainst a determined Southern attack, and Comdr. Woolsey deemed it necessary to remain at received high commendation from his superiors for his post ship's contribution to prevent panicthe successful defense of the town. As a result He remained with the blockade through the end of the war and, by July 1866, saw his devotion name returned to duty, Commodore Woolsey contracted the disease and died at his home active list in Quarters Athe rank of captain.

Following the Civil War, Capt. Woolsey commanded the sloop-of-war ''Pawnee'' on the South Atlantic Station in 1867 and 1868. In 1869, he took command of the South Atlantic Station flagship Guerriere. In 1871, Woolsey was promoted to commodore, probably as flag officer in charge of the South Atlantic Station. His last tour of duty came in March [[1873]], when he took over as commandant of the Pensacola [[Navy Yard]]. Commodore Woolsey received orders detaching him from command of the navy yard in the summer of 1874. At the time, an epidemic of [[yellow fever]] raged at Pensacola, and Woolsey deemed it necessary to remain at his post to prevent panic. As a result of his devotion to duty, Commodore Woolsey contracted the disease and died at his home in [[Quarters A]]. The first USS ''Woolsey '' (Destroyer No. 77) was named in honor of his father, Commodore Melancthon Taylor Woolsey, and the second USS ''Woolsey '' (DD-437) commemorated both him and his father [[Category:Navy officers|Woolsey, Melanchton]]