Return to Naval Historical Center home page. Return to Online Library listing

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

Photo # NH 46116-KN:  Commodore Stephen C. Rowan, USN, circa July 1862

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- PEOPLE -- UNITED STATES --

Vice Admiral Stephen C. Rowan, USN, (1808-1890)

Stephen Clegg Rowan was born near Dublin, Ireland, on 25 December 1808. He emigrated to the United States about ten years later and in February 1826 became a U.S. Navy Midshipman, appointed from the state of Ohio. Over the next eleven years he served afloat in several ships and in March 1837, while attached to the U.S. Exploring Expedition, was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. During the later 1830s and early 1840s Rowan was assigned to the U.S. Coast Survey, and subsequently was an officer of the ship of the line Delaware in the south Atlantic and Mediterranean. In 1845-1848 he served in the sloop of war Cyane and played an active role in Mexican war operations in California, including leading the landing party that captured San Diego. While commanding the store ship Relief with the Brazil Squadron in 1855, he was promoted to the rank of Commander.

During the opening several months of the Civil War, as commanding officer of the steam sloop Pawnee, Rowan attempted to relieve besieged Fort Sumpter, South Carolina, towed endangered ships from the Norfolk Navy Yard, Virginia, operated against Confederate forces along the Potomac River and participated in the capture of Forts Hatteras and Clark, North Carolina. After commanding the larger sloop Brooklyn during the last months of 1861, he played a leading role in offensive operations on the North Carolina Sounds. His combat achievements were recognized by simultaneous promotions to Captain and Commodore in July 1862, and by command of the big steamer Powhatan. From late 1862 until the fall of 1864, Rowan commanded the big ironclad New Ironsides during operations against Charleston, S.C., and also briefly led U.S. naval forces in the North Carolina Sounds.

Following the end of the war, Commodore Rowan commanded the cruiser Madawaska and, following promotion to Rear Admiral in July 1866, was Commandant of the Norfolk Navy Yard. Between August 1867 and November 1870 he led the U.S. Asiatic Squadron. During the 1870s, as a Vice Admiral, Rowan was Commandant of the New York Navy Yard (1872-1876), held a variety of important oversight positions and performed special duties. His final decade was spent as Governor of the Naval Asylum, Superindendant of the Naval Observatory and Chairman of the Lighthouse Board. Retired from active service in April 1889, Vice Admiral Rowan died on 31 March 1890 at Washington, D.C.

A torpedo boat and three destroyers have been named in honor of Vice Admiral Rowan: USS Rowan (Torpedo Boat # 8) of 1899-1918, USS Rowan (Destroyer # 64) of 1916-1939, USS Rowan (DD-405) of 1939-1943, and USS Rowan (DD-782) of 1945-1977.

This page features all the views we have concerning Stephen C. Rowan.


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

Photo #: NH 88381

Commodore Stephen C. Rowan, USN


Photograph taken circa July 1862, when Rowan was promoted simultaneously to the ranks of Captain and Commodore. It was published on a Carte de Visite by E. and H.T. Anthony, New York.

Courtesy of Dr. Walter B. LaBerge, Under Secretary of the Army, 1978.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 61KB; 445 x 765 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 46116-KN (color)

Commodore Stephen C. Rowan, USN

Portrait photograph by Brady, New York, taken circa July 1862, when Rowan received simultaneous promotions to the ranks of Captain and Commodore.
The original print is mounted on a carte de visite.

Donation of Miss Mary E. Mason.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 67KB; 455 x 765 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 46114

Captain Stephen C. Rowan, USN


Photographed circa 1862.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 71KB; 570 x 765 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 46114-A

Captain Stephen C. Rowan, USN


Photographed circa 1862.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 75KB; 525 x 765 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 66582

Commodore Stephen C. Rowan, USN


Print based on a photograph taken circa 1862.
Rowan was promoted to the rank of Vice Admiral in 1870.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 57KB; 445 x 765 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 58788

Commodore Stephen C. Rowan, USN


Line engraving published in "The Soldier in Our Civil War", Vol. II, depicting Rowan in about 1862.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 175KB; 590 x 765 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 46117-KN (color)

Rear Admiral Stephen C. Rowan, USN

Lightly color-tinted portrait photograph, taken at Hong Kong in 1869. Rowan was then commanding the U.S. Asiatic Squadron.
The original print is mounted on a carte de visite.

Donation of Miss Mary E. Mason.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 57KB; 460 x 765 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 46115-KN (color)

Rear Admiral Stephen C. Rowan, USN

Portrait photograph, probably taken at Hong Kong in 1869.
The original print is mounted on a carte de visite.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 53KB; 445 x 765 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 46119

Rear Admiral Stephen C. Rowan, USN


Photographed circa 1869.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 49KB; 570 x 765 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 63299

Rear Admiral Stephen C. Rowan, USN
,
Commander, U.S. Asiatic Squadron

With his staff at Yokohama, Japan, in July 1869.
Those present are (from left to right):
Lieutenant Commander Henry B. Robeson, USN;
Rear Admiral Rowan (seated);
Commander Francis A. Roe, USN, Fleet Captain; and
Ensign Frederick M. Wise, USN.
Sleeve stripes reflect the short-lived uniform regulations of 11 March 1869.

Donation of Mrs. John F. Meigs, 1971.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 82KB; 510 x 765 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 79257

Vice Admiral Stephen C. Rowan, USN


Halftone reproduction of a photograph taken during the 1870s or 1880s, published in "Officers of the Army and Navy Who Served in the Civil War", 1892.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 65KB; 570 x 765 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 103529-KN (color)

Vice Admiral Stephen C. Rowan, USN

Portrait photograph in civilian dress, taken by the Clarenden Park Studio, Saratoga Springs, New York, circa the 1870s or 1880s.
See Photo #: NH 103529-A-KN for a view of the reverse of the original print's mount, which measures 6.50" x 4.22".

Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation, Washington, D.C. Collection of Rear Admiral Reginald R. Belknap, USN.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 54KB; 485 x 765 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 46113

Vice Admiral Stephen C. Rowan, USN


Photographed circa the 1870s or 1880s.

Courtesy of the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland, 1926.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 71KB; 615 x 715 pixels

 


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


Return to Naval Historical Center home page.

Page made 28 February 2006