William Alexander Kirkland was born in Hillsborough, N.C., on July 3, 1836. He entered the Naval Academy at Annapolis in 1850. Kirkland served on the JAMESTOWN and the WYOMING in the East Indian Squadron before returning to the United States in 1864. Kirkland commanded several ships throughout his career: the gunboat OWASCO, the WINNEBAGO during the Civil War, the WASP, the SHENANDOAH, receiving ships COLORADO and VERMONT. He also served as commander of the Norfolk Navy Yard, New York Navy Yard, Harbor of New York League Island Navy Yard, as governor of the Naval Home in Philadelphia, commander of the South Atlantic Squadron, and the European Squadron. From 1896 until his death, Kirkland commanded the Mare Island Navy Yard in California. He died on August 12, 1898, and was buried in the Naval Academy Cemetery at Annapolis.
From the description of William Alexander Kirkland papers, 1894-1901, 1958-1974 [manuscript]. (East Carolina University). WorldCat record id: 605876176
