William T. Swinburne

William T. Swinburne
Born	(1847-08-24)August 24, 1847 Newport, Rhode Island
Died	March 3, 1928(1928-03-03) (aged 80) Coronado, California
Allegiance	United States
Service / branch	United States Navy
Years of service	1862–1909
Rank	Rear admiral
Commands	Pacific Squadron
Battles / wars	American Civil War Spanish–American War

William T. Swinburne (August 24, 1847 – March 3, 1928) was a rear admiral of the United States Navy and one-time Commander-in-Chief of the United States Pacific Fleet.

Biography

He was born in Newport, Rhode Island, and entered the Navy on September 29, 1862, as a cadet midshipman at the United States Naval Academy.

He graduated from the Academy in 1866 as a Passed Midshipman. He was promoted to ensign in April 1868, master on March 26, 1869, lieutenant on March 21, 1880, and lieutenant commander in March 1887.

He was Commander-in-Chief of the Pacific Squadron from 1906 to the formation of the Pacific Fleet in 1907. He remained as Commander-in-Chief of the Pacific Fleet until his retirement on August 24, 1909.

He was a member of the California Commandery of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States and was assigned insignia number 15949. He was also a member of the Military Order of Foreign Wars and was assigned insignia number 411.

Personal life

Swinburne's first wife was Catherine Elsie (nee Vincent) Swinburne (1851–1904). They had one daughter, Dorothea Vincent McNamee. Swinburne's second wife was Sophie (nee Cook) Swinburne (1859–1939). ^[1]

On March 3, 1928, Swinburne died in Coronado, California. Swinburne was buried at sea in accordance with his will. ^[2] His body was carried by the scout cruiser USS Omaha and consigned to the sea about 20 miles off Point Loma, San Diego on March 5, 1928.^[3]

Gallery

William T. Swinburne is on the left in the middle row in this photograph of 13 retired United States Navy rear admirals and one retired United States Marine Corps major general taken ca. 1923.

See also

• Luke McNamee, Admiral who married his daughter

References

1. "William Thomas Swinburne". geni.com. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
2. "Veteran Admiral to Have Sea Burial". The New York Times. 1928-03-05. p. 21.
3. "Body Buried at Sea". Evening Star. Washington, D.C. March 6, 1928.

Military offices
Preceded by none	Commander in Chief of the United States Pacific Fleet 17 May 1909-19 February 1910	Succeeded by Uriel Sebree