Rear Admiral Silas Horton Stringham (7 November 1798—7 February 1876) was an officer of the United States Navy who saw active service during the War of 1812, the Second Barbary War, and the Mexican–American War, and who commanded the Atlantic Blockading Squadron at the beginning of the American Civil War.Born in Middletown, New York, Stringham entered the Navy on 15 November 1809, aged only 11 years old, receiving promotion to the rank of midshipman on 19 June 1810 while serving under Captain John Rodgers in the frigate President.