Rowan

Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)

STEPHEN CLEGG, an American naval officer; born near Dub- Financial Conference at lin, Ireland, Dec. 25, 1808; came to the Washington, D. C. (1915); secretary- United States when a boy, and on Feb. the International High Com- 1, 1826, was appointed a midshipman man in lieutenant, the navy. He was promoted Pan-American Scientific Congress March 8, 1837; took part in the capture Mexof Monterey and San Diego in the Joint Commission (1916-1917); asican War, and, as executive officer of the sistant secretary of the treasury (1917- "Cyane," in the bombardment of Guay- In October, 1920, he became mas. In the battle of La Mesa, Upper California, he commanded the naval battalion under Commodore Stockton, and was especially commended for his skill made in leading the landing party that a successful attack on a Mexican out- He was promoted post near Mazatlan. commander Sept. 14, 1855. At the outbreak of the Civil War he was on the "Pawnee," with which he engaged the Confederate battery at Acquia Creek on May 25, 1861; this being the first naval action of the war. He was promoted both captain and commodore, July 16, 1862, for gallantry in the Goldsborough expedition to North Carolina, and the engagements on Roanoke Island and Albemarle Sound. He forced the surrender of the forts at Newbern, N. C., and restored by the capture of Fort Mason National authority in the waters of the North Carolina. He commanded "New Ironsides" in the engagements , and Moulwith Forts Wagner, Gregg trie; received a vote of thanks from Congress; and was promoted rear-admiral, July 25, 1866. After the close was of the war Rear-Admiral Rowan appointed to various executive offices; was promoted vice-admiral Aug. 15, 1870; and was chairman of the Lightretirehouse Board at the time of his ment, Feb. 26, 1889. He died in Washington, D. C., March 31, 1890.