William W. Wood

William W. W. Wood
Born 1818
Wake County, North Carolina
Died 31 August 1882 1882 (aged 6364)
off Point Lookout, Maryland
Allegiance  United States of America
Service/branch  United States Navy
Years of service 1845–1880
Commands held Bureau of Steam Engineering
Battles/wars American Civil War

William W. W. Wood (1818–31 August 1882) was an engineer of the United States Navy, who served as Engineer-in-Chief of the Bureau of Steam Engineering from 1873 until 1877.

Biography

Wood was born in Wake County, North Carolina, and after graduation obtained a position at the West Point Foundry.[1]

He was appointed to the navy from New York on 15 March 1845 with the rank of chief engineer.[2][3] He spent his first two years in the navy stationed at the Pensacola Navy Yard, Florida.[2] He briefly did special duty at Boston, and then from 1850 to 1853 served on the paddle-sloop Saranac in the Home Squadron.[2]

From 1854 to 1857, Wood superintended the constructions of the engines of the screw-frigate Merrimack at Cold Spring, New York.[2] His next appointment was for two years serving in the screw-sloop Lancaster on the Pacific Squadron.[2] From 1862 to 1866 Wood spent most of his time on special duty in Philadelphia, New York and Boston.[2] Wood was assigned to the United States Naval Academy from 1866 to 1867.[2] Wood was Inspector of Machinery Afloat in New York from 1870 to 1872.[2]

Wood was promoted to engineer-in-chief in 1872,[2] and was appointed Chief of the Bureau of Steam Engineering on 20 March 1873,[3][4] his successor was appointed on 3 March 1877.[3] Wood was assigned to special duty in 1878,[2] and was placed on the retired list on 31 May 1880.[3]

Death

On 31 August 1882 Wood was drowned in a boating accident off Point Lookout, Maryland.[2]

Family

At the time of his death, Wood was married and had five children:

See also

References


Military offices
Preceded by
James Wilson King
Chief of the Bureau of Steam Engineering
18731877
Succeeded by
William H. Shock


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