1869, and in November of that year was detached from the _Unadilla_ and ordered to the U. S. S. _Iroquois_; returned in her to the United States, the ship going out of commission in April, 1870. In April, 1870, he was promoted to be lieutenant-commander and while in that grade served on the double-turreted monitor _Terror_, the _Wachusetts_, _Juniata_ and _Marion_ as executive officer, and at the League Island, Philadelphia and Brooklyn navy yards. In January, 1887, he was promoted to commander; commanded the _Swatara_, _St. Mary’s_, _Portsmouth_ and _Alliance_, and was also commandant of the naval training station at Newport, R. I., from December, 1896, to July, 1899. He was promoted captain, February, 1899, and in August took command of the U. S. S. _Monadnock_ at Manila. In November, 1900, he was ordered to duty as commandant of the naval station at Key West, Fla. In April, 1901, he was detached and ordered before the retiring board. He was retired, with the rank of rear admiral, in April, 1901. He resides in Washington, D. C., and is held in very high regard. In October, 1871, he wedded Evelyn Manderson of Philadelphia. Admiral McGowan is 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 is 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. Admiral McGowan’s father, Capt. John McGowan, was appointed a lieutenant in the revenue cutter service by President Andrew Jackson. He was at Charleston, S. C., during the nullification period, served in the Seminole War, in the War with Mexico, and in the Civil War. He commanded the steamer _Star of the West_ in the attempt to reinforce Fort Sumter in 1861. He died in January, 1891, aged 85 years.