William S. Cowles
Encyclopedia
William Sheffield Cowles, Sr. (August 1, 1846 – May 1, 1923) was an rear admiral
in the United States Navy
.
. He was in command of the battleship when it collided with the , and when thirty-three men were killed in an explosion (he was cleared of responsibility in both cases).
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.
Cowles was an official representative at the coronation of King George V
in 1911.
, where he lived in his ancestral home "Oldgate", Cowles married, as his second wife, Anna Roosevelt
(1855–1931), the eldest sister of U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt
. The wedding took place in London
on 25 November 1895, and they had one child, William Sheffield Cowles, Jr. (1898–1986). William and Anna are buried at Riverside Cemetery in Farmington, Connecticut.
Rear admiral (United States)
Rear admiral is a naval commissioned officer rank above that of a commodore and captain, and below that of a vice admiral. The uniformed services of the United States are unique in having two grades of rear admirals.- Rear admiral :...
in the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
.
Naval career
Cowles commanded the gunboat, during the Spanish–American War, and served as naval aide to President McKinleyWilliam McKinley
William McKinley, Jr. was the 25th President of the United States . He is best known for winning fiercely fought elections, while supporting the gold standard and high tariffs; he succeeded in forging a Republican coalition that for the most part dominated national politics until the 1930s...
. He was in command of the battleship when it collided with the , and when thirty-three men were killed in an explosion (he was cleared of responsibility in both cases).
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.
Cowles was an official representative at the coronation of King George V
George V of the United Kingdom
George V was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India, from 6 May 1910 through the First World War until his death in 1936....
in 1911.
Personal life
A native of Farmington, ConnecticutFarmington, Connecticut
Farmington is a town located in Hartford County in the Farmington Valley area of central Connecticut in the United States. The population was 25,340 at the 2010 census. It is home to the world headquarters of several large corporations including Carrier Corporation, Otis Elevator Company, and Carvel...
, where he lived in his ancestral home "Oldgate", Cowles married, as his second wife, Anna Roosevelt
Bamie Roosevelt
Anna Roosevelt Cowles was the older sister of United States President Theodore Roosevelt and the aunt of Eleanor Roosevelt. Her childhood nickname was Bamie, a derivative of bambina, but as an adult, her family began calling her "Bye" because of her tremendous on-the-go energy -...
(1855–1931), the eldest sister of U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt was the 26th President of the United States . He is noted for his exuberant personality, range of interests and achievements, and his leadership of the Progressive Movement, as well as his "cowboy" persona and robust masculinity...
. The wedding took place in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
on 25 November 1895, and they had one child, William Sheffield Cowles, Jr. (1898–1986). William and Anna are buried at Riverside Cemetery in Farmington, Connecticut.