John McGowan

John McGowan (1843–1915) was an officer in the Union Navy during the Civil War and afterwards in the United States Navy.

Early life John McGowan was born in Port Penn, Delaware, on August 4, 1843. He was the son of John and Catherine (Caldwell) McGowan. He was educated in the public schools of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1848–1853, and in private schools in Elizabeth, New Jersey, 1854–1859.

Volunteer navy Entering the volunteer navy, he was appointed acting master's mate on March 8, 1862, serving on the Reliance and the Yankee. He was promoted to acting master on May 8, 1862, and ordered to command the USS Wyandank in the Potomac Flotilla. He served on the Potomac and Rappahannock Rivers until February 1863, when he was detached from the Wyandank and ordered to the Florida as navigator. He served on the Florida in the blockade off Wilmington, North Carolina until October 1864, when the ship went to New York for repairs. In November of the same year he was detached from the Florida and ordered to the USS State of Georgia as navigator; arrived off Wilmington, North Carolina the day after the capture of Fort Fisher, his ship being then ordered to reinforce the fleet off Charleston, South Carolina. While there he took part in the Bulls Bay Expedition, which was one of the causes of the evacuation of Charleston by the Confederates.

Honors Admiral McGowan was a member of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion, of the Order of Foreign Wars, the Sons of the Revolution and of the Society of Marine Engineers and Naval Architects. He was also a member of the following clubs: the Metropolitan and Chevy Chase of Washington, D.C.; the Rittenhouse of Philadelphia, the Union of New York, and the New York Yacht Club. He was a life member of the American Irish Historical Society, and its President-General from 1906 to 1907.