W | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | William Sheffield Cowles |
| Born | August 1, 1846 Farmington, Connecticut |
| Died | May 1, 1923 (aged 76) Farmington, Connecticut |
| Place of burial | Riverside Cemetery, Farmington, Connecticut |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch | United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1863–1908 |
| Rank | Rear Admiral |
| Battles / wars | Spanish–American War |
William Sheffield Cowles, Sr. (August 1, 1846 – May 1, 1923) was an rear admiral in the United States Navy.
[]
Cowles commanded the gunboat, Topeka during the Spanish–American War, and served as naval aide to President McKinley. He was in command of the battleship Missouri when it collided with the Illinois, and when thirty-three men were killed in an explosion (he was cleared of responsibility in both cases).[1]
He served as the Commander-in-Chief, Asiatic Fleet, and retired from the Navy in August 1908 after 45 years in service.
On December 2, 1908, Cowles submitted a report, prepared by Lt. George C. Sweet, recommending the purchase of aircraft suitable for operating from naval ships on scouting and observation mission to the Secretary of the Navy.[2]
Cowles was an official representative at the coronation of King George V in 1911.[1]
Personal life[]
On November 25, 1895, he married Anna "Bamie/Bye" Roosevelt, daughter of Theodore Roosevelt, Sr. and Martha "Mittie" Bulloch and elder sister of President Theodore "T.R." Roosevelt, Jr.. William and Bamie had one son, William Sheffield Cowles, Jr. (1898–1986). William and Bamie are buried at Riverside Cemetery in Farmington, Connecticut.
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Milestones: May 12, 1923". Time. May 12, 1923. http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,846048,00.html. Retrieved August 9, 2010.
- ↑ "Dates in Naval History: December". history.navy.mil. http://www.history.navy.mil/wars/datesdec.htm. Retrieved August 9, 2010.
External links[]
- William Sheffield Cowles at Find a Grave
The original article can be found at William S. Cowles and the edit history here.