Ruschenberger, W.S.W. (William Samuel Waithman), 1807-1895

William Samuel Waithman Ruschenberger (1807-1895) was a physician in the U.S. Medical Corps from 1826 through the middle of the nineteenth century. He was born in Cumberland, NJ; educated in Philadelphia, PA, and New York, NY; and was appointed surgeon's mate in the U.S. Navy in 1826. His first cruise was aboard the U.S. frigate BRANDYWINE (1826-1829) which made port in several cities in South America including Callao, Peru; Valparaiso, Chile; and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He received the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1830 from the University of Pennsylvania and was commissioned surgeon in 1831. From July 1831 through 1832, he was fleet surgeon aboard the USS PEACOCK, serving again in South America. Ruschenberger was sent to Philadelphia in 1833 where he remained until February 1835, at which time he was appointed fleet surgeon to the East India Squadron (1835-1837), again serving on the PEACOCK, this time circumnavigating the world.

Upon his return, Ruschenberger served at the naval station in Philadelphia from 1840 through 1842. That same year he was attached to the Philadelphia Rendezvous, a training facility for seamen and surgeons. Later that year, he requested temporary duty atthe Naval Asylum in Philadelphia to fill in for William P.C. Barton. He remained there until September 1943 and later that year he was stationed at the naval hospital in Brooklyn, New York. While there he set up a laboratory to prepare pure medicinal drugs for naval use and served as a member of the Board of Appointments whose purpose was to form plans and rules for the Naval Academy. He remained in Brooklyn until he was appointed fleet surgeon for the East India Squadron (1847-1849). During this appointment he served aboard the USS PLYMOUTH and visited Brazil, Canton (China), Java and the Malay Peninsula, and the Philippine Islands. From 1850 through 1854, he had shore duty, traveling between Brooklyn, NY, and Washington, DC, though primarily a resident of Philadelphia. He then became fleet surgeon for the Pacific Squadron (1854-1857) and served aboard the USS INDEPENDENCE, visiting Chile, Hawaii, and Panama before returning to the Mare Island (California) Navy Yard at the end of the cruise.

...