William Dowell (Royal Navy officer)

Sir William Dowell
Born 2 August 1825
Died 27 December 1912 (aged 87)
Bideford, Devon
Allegiance United Kingdom
Service/branch Royal Navy
Years of service 1839 – 1890
Rank Admiral
Commands held HMS Hornet
HMS Barrosa
HMS Euryalus
HMS Topaze
HMS Leander
Cape of Good Hope Station
HMS Hercules
Coast of Ireland Station
Channel Squadron
China Station
Devonport Station
Battles/wars Crimean War
Bombardment of Shimonoseki
Awards Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath

Admiral Sir William Montagu Dowell (2 August 1825 – 27 December 1912) was a Royal Navy officer who served as Commander-in-Chief, Devonport.

Naval career

Dowell joined the Royal Navy in 1839. He served in the Black Sea during the Crimean War. He was given command of HMS Hornet and HMS Barrosa and, in the latter ship, took part in the Bombardment of Shimonoseki in 1863. Later he commanded HMS Euryalus, HMS Topaze and then HMS Leander. He was made Commander-in-Chief, Cape of Good Hope and West Coast of Africa Station in 1867 before taking command of HMS Hercules in 1871.

He became Second-in-Command of the Channel Squadron in 1877, Senior Officer, Coast of Ireland Station in 1878, Senior Officer in Command of the Channel Squadron in 1882, Commander-in-Chief, China Station in 1884 and Commander-in-Chief, Devonport in 1888. He retired in 1890.

In retirement he became President of the Royal British Female Orphan Asylum in Plymouth.

Family

In 1855 he married Caroline Johnna Pike.