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CHARLES HOWELL

Born January 18, 1848, Charles Philetus Howell was the second oldest brother in the Howell family.  He graduated from Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York in 1867 and was a member of the Zeta Psi fraternity.  He entered the US Naval Academy on October 7, 1867 and graduated fourth in his class, June 1868.  He was promoted to Chief Engineer in November, 1893 and was on the USS Maine when it exploded in the Cuban Harbor, February 15, 1898.  Charles was pulled to safety and barely escaped with his life.  Many called it a deliberate attack, and it eventually lead to the Spanish-American War.  After some recuperation he testified at a Navy Court of Inquiry in Washington about the incident.  Charles was later stationed as Chief Engineer at the Brooklyn Navy Yard.  In June 1898, he was treated  for a severe malarial attack at the New York Marine Hospital.  He never fully recovered from his Maine injuries and died of a stroke on December 7, 1899 at the age of 51.  Charles was married in Paris to Emma Orlowska (or Oroliska), date unknown.  They lived in New York at 126 East 34th Street and had no children.  Charles Howell had been a naval officer for over twenty-seven years, seventeen at sea, and his rank at death was Commander.  He was buried with full honors. 

Charles Howell probably as a student at Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York	Reverse of Charles Howell's photograph with his signature. Taken at his brother's studio.	Charles in Naval uniform. Photo courtesy Donald White.	Charles Howell, May 13, 1891, Valpraiso, Chile. Photo courtesy Donald White.	Headstone of Charles Howell, Slate Hill Cemetery, Goshen, New York