USS Hoel (DD-533)

William R. Hoel—son of Edmund and Sarah Ryan Hoel—was born on 7 March 1825 in Sharon, Ohio. Hoel began training as a riverboat pilot in late 1840, following his father into the profession. Within three years, the younger Hoel was considered to be a qualified pilot, and he earned his license within days of new certification requirements going into effect in early 1853.

Hoel married Mary Elizabeth Riley on 1 August 1849 in Cincinnati. Mrs. Hoel gave birth to a son, Edmund Riley Hoel, on 23 February 1853. Due to complications from the birth, Mary died nine days later on 4 March, just four days short of her 22nd birthday. Adding to Hoel’s personal tragedy, several months later on 11 August, his young son also passed away from dysentery.

During the first 20 years of his career, Hoel piloted numerous steamboats up and down the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers, amassing considerable experience and skill in navigating the hazards and ever-changing conditions of these vital waterways. With the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861, Hoel volunteered his services as a civilian pilot to the Union cause, commencing his military duty on 19 October. He resigned this position on 1 February 1862 and instead became the first master of the ironclad stern-wheel gunboat Cincinnati . Called to action immediately, Cincinnati along with six other vessels of the Western Gunboat Flotilla under the command of Flag Officer Andrew H. Foote bombarded Fort Henry on the eastern shore of the Tennessee River on 6 February, resulting in a Confederate surrender. Hoel was wounded in the engagement but recovered quickly.

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From the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, compiled by the Naval History and Heritage Command (Hoel I (DD-533)). A work of the United States Government, in the public domain.