Henry Bell (New International Encyclopaedia)

BELL, HENRY HAYWOOD (1807-68). An American naval officer, born in North Carolina. He entered the navy as midshipman in 1823; was for many years connected with the East India Squadron, and in 1856 commanded a vessel of the squadron which destroyed the barrier forts, near Canton, China. In 1862 he was appointed fleet-captain of the West Gulf Squadron, and took a prominent part in the passage of Forts Saint Philip and Jackson, and the capture of New Orleans. He was, for a time in 1863, in command of the West Gulf Squadron. In 1865 he was assigned to the command of the East India Squadron, and in 1866 was promoted to be rear-admiral. He was drowned at the mouth of the Osaka River, Japan.