William McKean

Template:Short description Template:Refimprove Template:Infobox military person William Wister McKean (19 September 1800 – 22 April 1865) was an admiral in the United States Navy during the American Civil War. He was noted for his service in the Union blockade that effectively closed Confederate seaports in the Gulf of Mexico.

Early life

William Wister McKean was born on 19 September 1900 in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania,<ref name="uss-mckean">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="DANFS">Template:Cite DANFS</ref> to Giles McKean, a state legislator.<ref name="smith">Template:Cite news</ref> He was the grandson of Thomas McKean, the governor of that state.<ref name="uss-mckean"/><ref name="DANFS"/>

Civil War

At the age of 14, McKean was appointed midshipman on the Template:USS under the command of Oliver Hazard Perry on 30 November 1814.<ref name="DANFS"/><ref name="smith"/> He served in the West Indies and commanded the Template:USS during Mexican–American War.<ref name="smith"/> He continued in the Navy into the Civil War. He was assigned to the Gulf of Mexico and became a flag officer in command of the Gulf Blockading Squadron in October 1861. In February 1862, he took command of the East Gulf Blockading Squadron and was headquartered in Key West.<ref name="DANFS"/> During the Civil War, he was in command of the Template:USS. He was promoted to commodore on 16 July 1862.<ref name="obit">Template:Cite newsTemplate:Open access</ref> He was relieved from active duty on 4 June 1862.<ref name="DANFS"/>

Personal life

McKean married Davis Rosa. They had at least two children, Rosa and Stephen.<ref name="smith"/> His cousin was Confederate Navy officer Franklin Buchanan.<ref name="obit"/> Following his retirement, McKean moved to Washington Street, Binghamton, New York.<ref name="smith"/>

McKean died on 22 April 1865 near Binghamton. He was buried in Spring Forest Cemetery.<ref name="DANFS"/><ref name="obit"/>

Dates of rank

• Midshipman - 30 November 1814<ref name="smith"/>
• Lieutenant - 13 January 1825
• Commander - 8 September 1841
• Captain - 14 September 1855
• Retired List - 27 December 1861
• Flag Officer, Retired List - 3 January 1862
• Commodore, on Retired List - 16 July 1862<ref name="smith"/>
• Died - 22 April 1865<ref name="smith"/>

Namesakes

Two ships were named Template:USS in his honor.<ref name="DANFS"/>

References

• Public Domain This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.{{#if:http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/m7/mckean-i.htm%7C{{#if:%7C+The entries can be found [{{#if:1|http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/m7/mckean-i.htm}} here] and [{{#if:1|{{{2}}}}} here].| The entry can be found [{{#if:1|http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/m7/mckean-i.htm}} here].}}}}

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