Stephen Clegg Rowan

Stephen Clegg Rowan (25 December 1808–31 March 1890) was a Vice Admiral in the United States Navy, who served during the Mexican–American War and the American Civil War.

Biography
Born in Dublin, Ireland, Rowan came to the United States at the age of 10 and lived in Piqua, Ohio. Rowan was a graduate of Miami University. Appointed midshipman in the U.S. Navy on 1 February 1826, he took an active role in the Mexican-American War, serving as executive officer of the sloop USS Cyane (1837) during the capture of Monterey, California on 7 July 1846, and in the occupation of both San Diego and Los Angeles.

Captain of the steam sloop USS Pawnee (1859) at the outbreak of the American Civil War, he attempted to relieve Fort Sumter and to burn the Norfolk Navy Yard. In the fall of 1861, he assisted in the capture of the forts at Hatteras Inlet; then, taking command of a flotilla in the North Carolina sounds, he cooperated in the capture of Roanoke Island in February 1862. Promoted to captain for gallantry, he then supported the capture of Elizabeth City, Edenton, and New Bern. During the summer of 1863, he commanded the broadside ironclad USS New Ironsides on blockade duty off Charleston, South Carolina and the following August assumed command of Federal forces in the North Carolina sounds. During this time the rebel semi-submersible CSS David attacked the New Ironsides' with a spar torpedo. In the ensuing explosion, one man was killed and a large hole was torn into the ironclad but she continued her blockading duties.

Commissioned rear admiral on 25 July 1866, Rowan served as Commandant of the Norfolk Navy Yard until 1867, when he assumed command of the Asiatic Squadron. Returning in 1870, he was appointed vice admiral in August of that year and served as Commandant of the New York Navy Yard from 1872 to 1876, as Governor of the Naval Asylum at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1881, and as Superintendent of the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C., from 1882 until his retirement in 1889. It is worth noting that Rowan was one of the very few post Civil War Navy officers allowed to serve on active duty after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 62.

He was a Veteran Companion of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States and was also eligible for membership in the Aztec Club of 1847.

Rowan died in Washington, D.C.

Namesakes

 * Four United States Navy ships have been named USS Rowan for him.
 * Rowan Hall at Miami University is named in his memory.
 * A public elementary school in San Diego, California, is named Stephen Rowan Elementary.