John Adams Howell
Encyclopedia
John Adams Howell was a Rear Admiral
of the United States Navy
, who served during the Civil War
and the Spanish–American War. He was also a noted inventor.
, on 16 March 1840. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy
in 1858, and was promoted to lieutenant in April 1861.
During the American Civil War
, Howell served as executive officer of the steam sloop at the Battle of Mobile Bay
on 5 August 1864, and was honorably mentioned by his commanding officer in his despatches.
Howell was promoted to lieutenant-commander in March 1865, and commander on 6 March 1872.
Howell was an Assistant in the U.S. Coast Survey
, and the commanding officer of the Coast Survey steamer in the early 1870s. The "Howell Basin", in the Atlantic Ocean, east of Cape Cod
, and the "Howell Hook", a submerged reef off the coast of southern Florida, are named in his honor.
Howell was promoted to captain on 1 March 1884, and in 1887 was a member of the Naval Advisory Board. He was promoted to rear admiral in 1898. During the Spanish–American War he commanded a division of the North Atlantic Squadron
.
Rear Admiral Howell died in 1918.
"—and also patented torpedo launchers, gyroscopes for the guidance of torpedoes, explosive shells, a disappearing gun carriage for shore defense emplacement, and an amphibious lifeboat.
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 :...
of 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...
, who served during the Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
and the Spanish–American War. He was also a noted inventor.
Biography
Howell was born in Bath, New YorkBath (village), New York
Bath is a village in Steuben County, New York, United States. The population was 5,641 at the 2000 census. Bath is the county seat of Steuben County. The community was named either for the English city or for Lady Bath, daughter of William Pulteney, one of the original landowners.The Village of...
, on 16 March 1840. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy
United States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
in 1858, and was promoted to lieutenant in April 1861.
During the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, Howell served as executive officer of the steam sloop at the Battle of Mobile Bay
Battle of Mobile Bay
The Battle of Mobile Bay of August 5, 1864, was an engagement of the American Civil War in which a Federal fleet commanded by Rear Adm. David G. Farragut, assisted by a contingent of soldiers, attacked a smaller Confederate fleet led by Adm...
on 5 August 1864, and was honorably mentioned by his commanding officer in his despatches.
Howell was promoted to lieutenant-commander in March 1865, and commander on 6 March 1872.
Howell was an Assistant in the U.S. Coast Survey
U.S. National Geodetic Survey
National Geodetic Survey, formerly called the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey , is a United States federal agency that defines and manages a national coordinate system, providing the foundation for transportation and communication; mapping and charting; and a large number of applications of science...
, and the commanding officer of the Coast Survey steamer in the early 1870s. The "Howell Basin", in the Atlantic Ocean, east of Cape Cod
Cape Cod
Cape Cod, often referred to locally as simply the Cape, is a cape in the easternmost portion of the state of Massachusetts, in the Northeastern United States...
, and the "Howell Hook", a submerged reef off the coast of southern Florida, are named in his honor.
Howell was promoted to captain on 1 March 1884, and in 1887 was a member of the Naval Advisory Board. He was promoted to rear admiral in 1898. During the Spanish–American War he commanded a division of the North Atlantic Squadron
North Atlantic Squadron
The North Atlantic Squadron was a section of the United States Navy operating in the North Atlantic. It was renamed as the North Atlantic Fleet in 1902. In 1905 the European and South Atlantic Squadrons were abolished and absorbed into the North Atlantic Fleet. On Jan...
.
Rear Admiral Howell died in 1918.
Inventions
Howell is remembered less for his wartime achievements than for his innovations in ordnance. He invented the self-steering torpedo—the "Howell torpedoHowell torpedo
The Howell Automobile Torpedo was the first self-propelled torpedo in United States Navy service.It was conceived by LCdr. John A. Howell , USN, in 1870, using a 60 kg flywheel spun at very high speed to store energy and drive propellers...
"—and also patented torpedo launchers, gyroscopes for the guidance of torpedoes, explosive shells, a disappearing gun carriage for shore defense emplacement, and an amphibious lifeboat.