The death is announced at Washington, in the thirty-second year of his age, of Commander William B. Cushing, so well known for his daring exploit which led to the destruction of the rebel ironclad steamer Albemarle, on the night of the 27th October, 1864, at Plymouth, N.C.

Commander Cushing was born in Wisconsin, and was appointed to the navy from New-York on the 25th September, 1857. He resigned the following year, but re-entered the service in 1861 as an acting officer. He received his commission as Lieutenant on the 16th July, 1862, and was attached to the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron for four years up to 1865.

His coolness, courage, and conduct on board the steamer Ellis, which he commanded in November, 1862, first brought him into prominent notice. He had received orders, on the 23d of that month, to capture the town of Jacksonville, to intercept the Wilmington mail, to take possession of any vessels found in New River Inlet, and to destroy any salt works found on its banks. In compliance with these instructions he at once entered New River Inlet, and, after reaching Jacksonville, he captured twenty-five stand of public arms, a large mail, and two schooners.

He then proceeded down the river, shelling a rebel camp on his way, and came to anchor about five miles from the outer bar, it being impossible to take the steamer from the river that night. The following morning the enemy opened on him with two pieces of artillery from a bluff, but these were soon silenced, Lieut. Cushing having brought the Ellis within short range without receiving fire. Soon afterward the Ellis unfortunately grounded, and all efforts to get her off proved fruitless. This rendered Lieut. Cushing's position perilous indeed, but he proved equal to the occasion.

He caused everything to be removed from the steamer, with the exception of the pivot gun and a few small arms, and the crew, having been called to muster, were told that they could go aboard the prize schooner. The Lieutenant then called for six volunteers to remain with him on board the Ellis and fight the remaining gun. The required number of volunteers was at once obtained, and the prize schooner was ordered to drop down the channel and await the termination of the impending engagement. On the morning of the 25th the enemy opened a cross-fire on the Ellis from four points, with heavy rifled guns, so disabling the Ellis that the only alternative left was to surrender or a pull of one and a-half miles in a small boat, under fire, to the schooner.

The latter alternative was chosen. Lieut. Cushing fired the Ellis, reached the schooner, and made sail for sea, and four hours afterward arrived at Beaufort.

In the official reports of Commander H.K. Davenport and Acting Rear Admiral S.P. Lee, the conduct of Lieut. Cushing was specially commended.

In about two years afterward he again distinguished himself by the de- struction of the rebel ram Albemarle, at Plymouth, N.C.

On the night of the 27th October, 1864, he ascended the Roanoke River in a torpedo-boat, having the second cutter of the steamer Shamrock in tow. He passed the rebel steamer Southfield without being noticed, and arrived within a short distance of the ram before he was discovered, when he cut loose the cutter, ordering her to board the Southfield and capture the picket stationed there, while he attacked the ram with a torpedo.

Although the enemy kept up a severe fire of musketry and with howitzers mounted on the wharf, he succeeded in exploding his torpedo under the Albemarle at the same instant that the gun of that vessel was fired at the torpedo-boat, which immediately filled , and Lieut. Cushing having ordered his officers and men to save themselves, jumped overboard. Most of the officers and men were capyured, a few were drowned, and only two escaped.

Lieut. Cushing fortunately reached shore, and, after a long journey through the swamps, came to a creek, and the following night he made his way out to the steamer Valley City.

For his daring and successful act he received a vote of thanks from Congress and a complimentary letter from Hon. Gideon Welles, the then Secretary of the Navy. The Secretary said that the details in connection with that perilous undertaking having been altogether left to Lieut. Cushing, to him and his brave comrades belonged the exclusive credit of that daring achievement. The judgment and courage displayed on that occasion by Lieut. Cushing could scarcely have been expected from so young an officer, his age at that time being only twenty-one.

The Hartford Courant gives the following as the correct version of the selection of Lieut. W.B. Cushing to destroy the rebel ram Albemarle:

"The department had, through spies and the observations of naval officers operating in Albemarle Sound, obtained full information as to the size, effectiveness, and locality of the terrible ram which was built for the express purpose of clearing our forces out of the North Carolina waters and the fortified places of Roanoke and Newbern. The department had charts and plans prepared, and then, looking about for one of its officers of high rank, selected Rowan for the enterprise. Accordingly, he was sent for and offered an advance of a grade if he would undertake the desperate service. But, with the conviction begotten of of long experience, he declined the offer. Cushing was then thought of as a young man of desperate courage, and he was sent for. After carefully studying the plans, he turned, with beaming eye, to Assistant Secretary Fox, and said: 'I'll try it, Sir; I'll do my best.'"

Lieut. Cushing all through the war distinguished himself by signal acts of periolous adventure. He combined coolness and sound judgment with a courage unsurpassed, and on all occasions proved himself a valuable officer.

He was commissioned as Lieutenant Commander Oct. 22, 1864, and subsequently served on board the steamer Lancaster, flagship Pacific Squadron, 1866-7, and afterward commanded the steamer Maumee, of the Asiatic Squadron, during the years 1868 and 1869.

Just previous to being disabled for active duty, he was in command of the third-rate screw steamer Wyoming, of the North Atlantic Squadron, to which he was ordered at the time of the threatened difficulty with Spain over the Virginius affair.