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Rh commodore, and had command of the Marc Island navy yard, California. Being promoted rear-admiral in 1890, he was put in command of the South Atlantic station, and was sent to Spain to represent the navy in the Columbian Celebration in Spain and Italy, in 1892. On the conclusion of these celebrations he brought over two of the Columbus caravels from Spain to Havana. He then joined the fleet under Admiral Gherardi, at Hampton Roads, and participated in the naval display near New York, April, 1893, where he commanded one of the divisions. At the conclusion of this display, he was assigned to the North Atlantic station, in 1894; and was later ordered to Rio, to take command of the naval force there during the revolution then in progress. He succeeded so well in protecting American interests that his course received high official approval. He forced the commander of the insurgent squadron to raise the blockade of the city, and to discontinue firing upon American merchant vessels.

From Rio, Admiral Benham was ordered to Bluefields, Nicaragua but having reached the statutory age limit, he was retired April 10, 1894. He was appointed prize commissioner for the state of Georgia, however, in 1898, during the Spanish- American war. He has also since that year served on court martial duty and on various boards.

Admiral Benham was married to Emma H. Seaman, February, 1863. They have had three children, one of whom is hving in 1905. He died at his summer home at Lake Mahopac, New York, August 11, 1905.