New-York tribune., 1901-08-10
HOWISON'S RECORD.
BUSY CAREER OF THE LAST MEMBER
OF sCHLEY COURT OF INQUIRY.
IBr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.I

Washington Aug although an unfortunate
error. arising largely from confusing the record
Of Rear-Admiral Howison with that Of Rear
Admiral Howell. the next ranking officer on the
retired list Immediately above him, the sketch
Of Admiral Howison, as printed August 4
in The Tribune, attributed 10 him duties which
he never performed. and also stated that he was
once the subject Of a court Of inquiry ordered
by Rear Admiral Walker. Admiral Howison S
career has been without the blemish even of a
threatened court of inquiry and his reputation
has been so we'll established in the naval SER
vice that naturally surprise has been felt that
misfortunes have been attributed to him from
which he suffered.
The prompt denial given by the Navy Depart
ment Of his having ever expressed any decided
opinions regarding the questions involved in the
Schley-Sampson controversy removes any ques-
tion Of his eligibility to serve. and by naval
officers to whom he is as well known any
officer of the service the selection is received
with warm approval
THE REAR-ADMIRALS RECORD.
Admiral Howison's authorized biography in
Records of Living officers of the United
States Navy" is a follows:
Entered the Naval Academy on September 26
1854, acting midshipman; made two practice
cruises in the sloOp Of war Prehle; was the senior
cadet officer during mis- first class year and was
graduated No in class of fifteen on June H.
1855; received warrant as midshipman on June II,
war Saratoga. bound for Key West; served there
and reported for duty: entered the frigate Wabash
on July Il, 1855; the Wabash crused In the Medl-
terranean and returned to New-Iork when Mr d
March Z. 1860, he was ordered TO the focohontaS
which crused in the Gulf Of Mexico. on board of
of watch officer until transferred to the Pawnee
November % 1860 The Pawnee arrived al Pha-
December Il. 1850. and ordered to the Naval Acad-
eTny for examination for promotion Having com
IL promoted jan
nary 19 1861, 10 be a passed midshipman, and or
dered to the Pawnee as watch officer. February
y 1851. Was promoted to a master on February 23
1851 and April 6. 1861. ordered to the Poca-
hontas as master and watch officer
He promoted to the rank Of lieutenant on
April ~ 1861; served az the outside picket post
from June 1861 10 July 1851 in command of a de
hontas and a I2-pound howitzer; rejoined the
Pocahontas in July, 1851 ordered as executive Off
Duponts fleet; participated IL battle AT Port Royal;
landed in command Of Sompany M at by6ee 6Sa6a M
tached from the Augusta on June 5, ls6S ana or
fgcket: q pariicpated IN attacks on Forts sumter
and Wagner. Charleston Harbor: blockading in
Warsaw Sound
IN BATTLE OF MOBILE BAY
On February j. lSe4 he was transferred from the
-N4nouchT. s @ - 5 go, tor, ar Sa-eso,,' tTsne
ferred from the CatskilI the Bienyille. May .,
vile unti August 3 Is64 at which time he was
ordered to command that vessel; participated In
cola ana New-Orlea7s; blockading Of GalS eston
mand by Commander Mulany and resumed his
duties as executive officer until detached April p,
commander on March 3 1865; was next ordered as
assistant inspector Of ordnance the Washington
yard. on May Is. 1865, and served here until August
g 1885, at which time he was detached and reported
for duty as navigator Of the Pensacola, and in
May, 1851 was made the executive officer of the
served as such until detached and ordered home on
November p, 1865
inspector Of ordnance to the Washington Navy
Ward on December II. 1865. serving as such until
afterWafd Being rIacfd in command Of tbe Old Con
stitution and other ships as well as acting as aid
10 the superintendent Of the academy He
promoted to the rank of commander on August 19
1872: was detached from the Naval Academy on
December 16. 1872 and proceeded to Key West. Fla.
and assumed command Of the shawmut crused in
the Gulf Of Mexico and brought the ship to the
washington Navy Yard for new boilers; was de.
the Shawmut and placed duty the Washing
on g ff Tsas wp Of as TO
command that vessel. sailing for the Gulf of Mex
t9r t and locating doubtful banks and shoals ne
latter part OF 1874 and the early part Of 1873.
DUTY AT THE NAVAL ACADEMY.
Commander Howison was detached from the com
dered duty al the Naval Academy as head of
me department Of seamanship, where he served
During, the summer Of 1875 Commander Howison
cruise OF instruction with the cadet engineers and
during the summer Of 1875 he commanded the lIac-
tce ship Constella'ion during her cruise with the
cadets On October :. 1875 Commander HOWison
ported for duty at The Washington Navy Yard a
inspector Of ordnance and served there such
until September O. SSl He was a member OF the
first advisory board from July II. 1881. November
Z. 1881. on November J.. 1sS1. he ordered and
took command Of the frigate Minnesota. for the
purpose Of organizing gunnery training school.
This duty lasted until February %. 1852. He
then attached 10 the Bureau Of Equipment and Re
cruiting until April Is. lss2. and then made
member Of the Naval Inspection Board until April
I6. 1858
He was promoted to the rank Of captain on March
. 1855; from April 30. 1855. he empoyed on
the board of appraisals Investigations examina-
tiOns and retiremsnts. until February 10. 1856 az
which time he ordered To the command ~ The
Nandalia; sailed with that vessel the Pacific:
was senior officer on the station until relieved by
Rear-Admiral Kimberly in April. 1857: detached
from the command of the Nandalia in April 1855
and ordered home.
On June p. 1855, he made president of the
steel inspecting board which duty Captain Howison
performed until ia auary. 1872
He was comma ndant Of the Mare Iesland Navy
Yard from July 1893 June. 1895: ordereds 70
command the Oregon in June, 1895 commits
stoned commodore March q. 1897: was an
pointed conmandant of navy yard at Boston in
Nav 1897 He was made a rear-admiral and retired
!n 1899