William S. Cowles

William Sheffield Cowles (August 1, 1846 – May 1, 1923) was a rear admiral in the United States Navy. Naval career In July 1863 he was appointed an acting midshipman at the United States Naval Academy and graduated in June 1867. He was commissioned as an ensign in December 1868. He rose through the ranks and was commissioned as a commander in June 1898. Cowles commanded the gunboat, during the Spanish–American War, and served as naval aide to President McKinley. 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.