A Lieutenant in the United States Navy during the Civil War, Wilson McGunnegle served on board the U.S.S. St. Louis, sadly dying of tuberculosis in Annapolis, Maryland later on during the conflict. He has one of what is easily the most fascinating monuments in the cemetery, adorned with multiple elements of his naval service and memento mori.

The ship and four cannons, adorning the four short sides of the octagonal base, are obvious, as well as the globe and rolled up maps, to Lt. McGunnegle’s profession.

If anyone knows if there is any additional significance to the crossed anchors and the crossed cannons in the two photos below, leave a comment.

The crossed swords seem to be a symbol of combat, but the dropped, upturned pistol below is a mystery to me. What does it mean?

The candle snuffers are usually a symbol of a life snuffed out, but here they are discarded, and mixed among cannonballs, it appears.

The lighthouse has obvious naval connotations, but it has Christological ones, as well.

The last panel shows cannons on a gun deck, their noses pointed out of their firing holes, ready for combat. On the left, a ladder leads to the top deck.

Sadly, the limestone is badly eroded, as it is wont to do, but his name is still legible.