Warner B . Bayley Rear Admiral Warner Baldwin Bayley ( 9 September 1845 – 22 April 1928 ) was a United States Navy officer . His career specialized in engineering and included service in the Spanish - American War and the investigation of the sinking of the battleship . Naval career . Bayley was born in Baldwinsville , New York , on 9 September 1845 . He was appointed to U . S . Navy service as an acting third assistant engineer during the American Civil War on 4 August 1864 . He mustered out of the Navy on 28 April 1869 , but apparently returned to Navy service soon thereafter , being promoted to second assistant engineer on 2 September 1870 . He served aboard the screw sloop - of - war in the North Atlantic Squadron from 1873 to 1874 , then had a tour of shore duty at the Navys Bureau of Steam Engineering from 1875 to 1877 and was promoted to first assistant engineer on 21 September 1877 . He then returned to sea in the Asiatic Squadron , first aboard the gunboat from 1877 to 1878 , then aboard the tug from 1878 to 1880 . After another tour at the Bureau of Steam Engineering from 1880 to 1881 , Bayley was on special duty with the United States Department of the Navy from 1881 to 1885 . He then served aboard the screw steamer in the European Squadron from 1885 to 1888 . He had duty under the United States Fish Commission from 1888 to 1892 , followed by a tour at the New York Navy Yard in Brooklyn , New York , from 1892 to 1893 . Bayley returned to sea in 1893 , serving aboard the new gunboat in the North Atlantic Squadron into 1894 . In April1894 he reported for duty aboard the gunboat and was promoted to chief engineer on 25 May 1894 . He was aboard the monitor from 1895 to 1896 . After brief service at the Bureau of Steam Engineering beginning in June 1896 , Bayley began a tour at the United States Civil Service Commission in August 1896 . He remained there until he reported aboard the battleship in the North Atlantic Squadron for duty as Fleet Engineer . " Massachusetts " was reassigned to the Flying Squadron in March 1898 and operated with that squadron off Cuba after the Spanish - American War broke out in April 1898 . Although " Massachusetts " was away coaling and missed the climactic Battle of Santiagio de Cuba , Bayley distinguished himself in other actions off Cuba and was advanced two numbers for " eminent and conspicuous conduct in battle " during his time aboard her . After the U . S . Navy abolished the distinction between engineering and line officer s , Bayleys rank was converted to lieutenant commander on 3 March 1899 . Leaving " Massachusetts " in November 1900 , he reported to the Bureau of Steam Engineering on 27 November 1900 for inspection duty , and was promoted to commander on 3 March 1901 . From September to November 1903 , Bayley was a member of a board of inquiry examining the 15 February 1898 destruction of the battleship in Havana harbor , which preciptated the outbreak of the Spanish - American War . He became a member of the Navy Examining Board on 2 November 1903 and , promoted to captain on 1 July 1905 , remained on it until going on an extended period of sick leave beginning 11 November 1905 . He retired from the Navy at the rank of rear admiral while on sick leave on 18 April 1906 . Personal life . Bayley married the former Annette Williamson ( d . 19 August 1947 ) in October 1890 . They were had one son . Death . Bayley died in Washington , D . C . on 22 April 1928 and is buried with his wife at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington , Virginia .