January Meeting, 1932. George Washington and Sally Fairfax; Francis Tiffany Bowles Author(s): Gardner Weld Allen Source: Proceedings of the Massachusetts Historical Society, Third Series, Vol. 64 (Oct., 1930 Jun., 1932), pp. 404-421 Published by: Massachusetts Historical Society Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/25080265 . Accessed: 03/01/2011 01:03 Your use of the JSTOR archive indicates your acceptance of JSTOR's Terms and Conditions of Use, available at . http://www.jstor.org/page/info/about/policies/terms.jsp. JSTOR's Terms and Conditions of Use provides, in part, that unless you have obtained prior permission, you may not download an entire issue of a journal or multiple copies of articles, and you may use content in the JSTOR archive only for your personal, non-commercial use. Please contact the publisher regarding any further use of this work. Publisher contact information may be obtained at . http://www.jstor.org/action/showPublisher?publisherCode=masshs. . Each copy of any part of a JSTOR transmission must contain the same copyright notice that appears on the screen or printed page of such transmission. JSTOR is a not-for-profit service that helps scholars, researchers, and students discover, use, and build upon a wide range of content in a trusted digital archive. We use information technology and tools to increase productivity and facilitate new forms of scholarship. For more information about JSTOR, please contact [email protected].

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404

MASSACHUSETTS

HISTORICAL

JANUARY MEETING, THE

SOCIETY

[JAN.

1932

on Thursday, Society met in the Dowse Library Janu at in the chair. President Endicott ary 14,1932, 3 p.m., was The record of the December read and ap meeting

proved. The Librarian

reported

accessions:

From Arthur A. Shurcliff, a heliotype plan of the Burnt District in of Boston 12, 1872), showing the improvements (November streets proposed by Thomas W. Davis, City Surveyor, with area figures and names of some owners inserted, perhaps by Dr. Arthur H. Nichols, who once owned the plan. From the Military Historical Volumes Society of Massachusetts, 1 to 20 of the United States Naval Institute Proceedings, beginning in 1874, and from Arthur B. Denny, of Brookline, Volumes 21 to 53, ending in 1927. These came through the efforts of our Associate Dr. Gardner W. Allen. From John D. Shore, of Boston, a design in buff and blue in the form of a broadside, prepared by him in commemoration of the bi-centennial anniversary of the birth of George Washington. The

Cabinet-Keeper

reported

accessions

:

From Joseph W. Revere, of Canton, a piece of the keel of the French Frigate Le Prudent, sunk in the inner harbor of Louisburg, Cape Breton, in 1758, and raised in 1895. From William B. Revere, of Canton, the fowling piece owned a at Paul silver the sight by muzzle, probably made Revere, bearing and attached by him, shaped in the grotesque form of a man's face having the nose on the sighting line. a portrait, without artist's name of Milton, From Guy Waring, and date, of Capt. Samuel W. Dewey, noted for his daring exploit of sawing off the top of the figure-head of Andrew Jackson on the Constitution. This had been fastened to her bow about 1834, by at the time of her rebuilding in order of the Navy Department, in much Massachu Jackson's administration, opposition creating setts. A new figure-head soon replaced the old one. From the estate of Miss Margaret Manning Salter, of Cam

193 2]

GEORGE WASHINGTON

AND SALLY FAIRFAX

405

bridge, a portrait, without artist's name and date, of her grand a midshipman on the father, William Worman Berry (1797-1824), States Frigate Chesapeake when she was captured by the United British Frigate Shannon off Boston Light on June 1, 1813. a medallion From Frank Gair Macomber, of Clara Elizabeth Macomber, by J. Salmer Larsen, 1929. a photograph G. Frothingham, of the From Capt. Thomas model of the U.S.S. Portsmouth, designed by Josiah Barker, Naval from the lines of the privateer Union built by Constructor, U.S.N., in 1815. him at Charlestown The Corresponding Secretary reported the receipt of letters from George Read Nutter, accepting Resident Membership, and from Allan of New Corre Nevins, York, accepting in the Society. sponding Membership The President announced the death on December a Resident Member, Dana,

of Richard

Henry

16, 1931, and spoke of his interest in the Society since his election on June 8,1911. was elected of Lexington, a Resi Latimer Henry Seaver, of the Society. dent Member Mr.

Arthur

George

Stanwood

Washington

Pier

read a paper

and

Sally

on

Fairfax

In The Virginians represents Thackeray George Washing ton as writing to Martha love-letters Custis while he was an officer on General Braddock's staff. of historical Authors even the best of them, do not always to take pains novels, the actions of their characters make accord with the facts. did not meet the young widow of Daniel Parke Washington Custis before the summer of 1758 ? three years after Brad dock's death. that summer he was in Williamsburg During the regiment to command that he was in the ex equipping that General Forbes was preparing pedition against Fort Du on the Pamun Mrs. Custis lived at White House quesne. some few miles from Williamsburg. key River, Washington her acquaintance, visited her when he could, and became to her. was to take place after his The marriage engaged return from the campaign the French and Indians at against the forks of the Ohio.

made

MASSACHUSETTS

406

HISTORICAL

suitor in this swift, successful The bachelor who was what disillusioned lover settle down, not an ardent young The and imagination were all aflame.

SOCIETY

[JAN.

courtship was a some to marry resolved and whose mind and heart only letter from Wash

to Martha

ington

preserved,

that has been their marriage, Custis before on July 20,1758 : is the following brief note, written

A courier is starting We have begun our march to the Ohio. to send a few for Williamsburg, and I embrace the opportunity words to one whose life is now inseparable from mine. Since that happy hour when we made our pledges to each other, my thoughts have been continually going to you as another Self. That an all powerful Providence may keep us both in safety is the prayer of friend.1 your ever faithful and affectionate the letter of a newly engaged young man to his betrothed, In fact, George is perhaps satisfactory though sedate. at this period was a better subject for the satir Washington was aware. The man of twenty-six, ist's pen than Thackeray to be married, wrote to the wife of a love-letters engaged As

this

friend. whom he loved was Sally Fairfax, the wife of at the William whose had been he Fairfax, George companion in the Shenandoah. age of sixteen on a surveying expedition She was Washington's senior by two years. The story begins for us with the letter which Washington to her from the wrote The

camp Dear

woman

at Fort

Cumberland

on September

12, 1758:

Madam,

I was honored with your short but Yesterday favor of the first inst. How joyfully I catch at casion of renewing a correspondence which I feared on your part, I leave to time, that never failing things, and to a monitor equally faithful in my In silence I now express my joy; silence, testify. cases, I wish the present, speaks more intelligently est

very agreeable the happy oc was disrelished expositor of all own breast, to which in some than the sweet

eloquence.

If you allow that any honor can be derived from my opposition to our present system of management, you destroy the merit of it entirely in me by attributing my anxiety to the animating prospect York,

1 The Writings 1889), n. 53.

of George

Washington

(Worthington

C. Ford,

Ed.,

New

GEORGE WASHINGTON

1932]

AND SALLY FAIRFAX

407

I need not tell you, guess your of possessing Mrs. Custis, when ? self. Should not my own Honor and country's welfare be the excite ment? 'Tis true, I profess myself a votary of love. I acknowledge that a lady is in the case, and further I confess that this lady is as well as she is to one who is too known to you. Yes, Madame, sensible of her charms to deny the Power whose influence he feels and must ever submit to. I feel the force of her amiable beauties in the recollection of a thousand tender passages that I could wish to obliterate, till I am bid to revive them. But experience, alas! sadly reminds me how impossible this is, and evinces an opinion that there is a Destiny which has which I have long entertained, the control of our actions, not to be resisted by the strongest ef forts

of Human have

You

Nature. drawn

dear

me,

or

Madame,

rather

I have

drawn

my

not self, into an honest expression of a simple Fact. Misconstrue no nor it The world has doubt it. expose my meaning; not, business to know the object of my Love, declared in this manner to you, when I want to conceal it. One thing above all things in this world I wish to know, and only one person of your acquaintance can solve me that, or guess my meaning. But adieu to this till ever see I if shall The them. hours at present are happier times, dull. Neither the rugged toils of war, nor the gentler melancholy I dare believe you are conflict of A-B-s2 is in my choice. as happy as you say. I wish I was happy also. Mirth, good humor, ease and

of

mind, consummate

and

?

what

else??cannot

wishes.

your

fail

to

render

you

so

...

I cannot easily forgive the unseasonable haste of my last express, if he deprived me thereby of a single word you intended to add. The time of the present messenger is, as the last might have been, I can't expect to hear from my friends entirely at your disposal. more than this once before the fate of the expedition will some I therefore beg to know when you how or other be determined. set out for Hampton, and when you expect to return to Belvoir again. And I should be glad also to hear of your speedy departure, as I shall thereby hope for your return before I get down. The me concern. of would much disappointment give seeing your family From any thing I can yet see 'tis hardly possible to say when we I don't think there is a probability of it till the middle shall finish. of November. Your letter to Captain Gist I forwarded by a safe it came to me. hand the moment His answer shall be carefully transmitted.

Col. Mercer,

to whom 2 Mr.

I delivered

Ford

suggests

your message "Assembly

Balls."

and compliments,

408

MASSACHUSETTS

HISTORICAL

SOCIETY

[JAN.

in wishing you and the Ladies of Belvoir joins me very heartily Be this world affords. the perfect enjoyment of every happiness assured that I am, dear Madame, with the most unfeigned regard, your most obedient and most obliged humble servant. N.B. Many accidents happening (to use a vulgar saying) be tween the cup and the lip, I choose to make the exchange of carpets since I find you will not do me the honor to accept mine.3 myself, are obvious. this letter certain inferences It had been a to not letter which preceded by Sally Fairfax, preserved, no which had contained sentimental but passages, probably with Forbes' had expressed dissatisfaction choice of route and ? a dissatisfaction conduct of the expedition that had been so openly manifested as to draw from the commander the " behavior about the roads remark that Colonel Washington's was noways in had replied like a soldier." Sally Fairfax on the underlying cause of his a letter rallying Washington ? to be united to Martha his eagerness Custis. impatience "If you Then the ungallant from him bursts disclaimer: to from my opposition allow that any honor can be derived our present of of the merit you management, system destroy to the animating in me by attributing it entirely my anxiety ? Mrs. I need not tell of when prospect possessing Custis, were the words which she was What you, guess yourself." " to guess and which would the sentence? When it complete " In the next is you that I really love! few sentences he in mak What was his purpose scarcely veils the confession. idle words. ing it at this time? He was not given to writing " I feel the force of her amiable beauties in the recollection of a thousand tender passages to obliterate that I could wish till I am bid to revive them." Yet he has no sooner hinted like assurance from her of her willingness to that he would in engage again in tender passages with him than he hastens, From

the faint-heartedness engendered by conscientious scruples, to give her ground for refusing. "But alas! experience, this is, and evinces an opin sadly reminds me how impossible I have ion which that there is a Destiny long entertained, not to be resisted which has the control of our actions, by the strongest efforts of Human Nature." on smouldering this chilling reflection dashed pas Having 8

Washington,

n.

95-98.

GEORGE WASHINGTON

1932]

AND SALLY FAIRFAX

at once that he does not wish sion, he discovers and proceeds again to fan it into flame:

409

to quench

it,

or rather I have drawn myself, You have drawn me, dear Madame, not my into an honest expression of a simple Fact. Misconstrue doubt it not, nor expose it. The world has no business meaning; to know the object of my Love, declared in this manner to you, when I want to conceal it. One thing above all things in this can world I wish to know, and only one person of your acquaintance solve

me

that,

or

guess

my

meaning.

we can guess his meaning. The thing that above Perhaps to know was the extent of her love for him. all else he wished But again, having made the suggestion, he was a little fright " ened and added the nullifying But adieu to this till words, ever see I if them." shall happier times, to keep the world Was Sally Fairfax gratified by his anxiety a from knowing that she was the object of his love? Does man woman with when the who that protests happiness glow his fear lest others he loves her in the same breath discloses may suspect the fact? Poor, muddled young man, whose mind never failed to grasp clearly and certainly all the other prob to it, and whose heart was as lems that were ever presented in all the other trials of dissimulation and disloyalty guiltless of life as any heart that ever beat! From the depths came his " " I wish I was happy also! He who never shrank from cry, wrote this letter in which there emerge plainly responsibility to have Sally Fairfax of mind his indecision and his desire for him. He urges his love upon her and make the decision in the next line reveals his hesitation. George Washington of the truth that conscience illustration furnished the supreme makes cowards of us all. ? is the most puzzling The postscript?"N.B." passage to Is to in its reference in the letter. it be taken literally a Had he offered her she had declined carpet which carpets? to accept? If so, what exchange of carpets is it to which he alludes? And why the remark about accidents be happening a suggestion tween the cup and the lip? Is not that perhaps betrothal that between and marriage many things may hap Does the remark about exchanging that carpets mean pen? he must

now

take his place

on Martha's

carpet

instead

of on

MASSACHUSETTS

4IO Sally's?

No

satisfactory

key

HISTORICAL to these

SOCIETY

cryptic

lines has

[JAN. been

presented however much To such a letter Sally Fairfax, she may have loved him, could have replied only in one way. Unquestion not to understand what he had ably she would have pretended been hinting at. His own relief at her failure to welcome the so that he held forth is had almost gingerly opportunity in his response, written from the camp at Raystown audible on September 25: Do we Letters?

of each other's still misunderstand the true meaning I think it must appear so, tho' I would feign hope the ? But I'll say no more contrary as I cannot speak plainer without and leave you to guess the rest.

Then he drops the dangerous the greater part subject, devotes of the letter to news from the front and gossip, and closes with a touch of humor of his relief that is the surest indication that she has not required of him the reckless action for which, he had intimated his readiness. with cautious hedging, One thing more and then have done. You ask if I am not tired I am not, nor ever can be at the length of your letter? No Madam, while the lines are an Inch asunder to bring you in haste to the end of the paper. You may be tired of mine by this. Adieu dear Madam, you will possibly hear something of me, or from me before we

shall

meet.4

from George Washington love-letters That no more passed are to Sally Fairfax for no others is a fair presumption, And is little doubt would there that she have preserved. saved any others had he written them, just as she had saved on May these. But forty years Vernon later, from Mount to the story in an amazing the epilogue 16, 1798, he wrote for had then been living in England fashion. Sally Fairfax more her husband had long been dead; than twenty years; With what she had no children. stirring of emotions must she have My

received

this

letter:

unexpected

Dear

Madam, Five and twenty years have nearly passed away, since I have considered myself as the permanent resident at this place, or have 4

Washington,

n.

ioi,

103.

AND SALLY FAIRFAX

GEORGE WASHINGTON

I932]

411

in a familiar intercourse with in a situation to indulge myself or friends otherwise. letter my by During this period, so many important events have occurred, and such changes in men and things have taken place, as the compass of a letter would give you but an inadequate idea of. None of which events, however, nor all of them together, have been able to eradicate from my mind the recollection of those happy mo I have enjoyed the happiest in my life, which in your ments, been

company.

Worn out in a manner by the toils of my past labor, I am again seated under my vine and fig-tree, and wish I could add that there were

none

us

to make

afraid;

but

whom

those,

we

have

ac

been

if customed to call our good friends and allies, are endeavoring, not to make us afraid, yet to despoil us of our property, and are provoking us to acts of self-defence, which may lead to war. What, will be the result of such measures, time, that faithful expositor of all things, must disclose. My wish is to spend the remain in rural amusements, der of my days, which cannot be many, free from the cares from which public is never responsibility exempt.

Before the war, or even while it existed, although I was eight years from home at one stretch, (except the en passant visits made to it on my marches to and from the siege of Yorktown,) I made additions to my dwelling houses, and alterations in considerable occasioned by time, my offices and gardens; but the dilapidation and those neglects, which are coextensive with the absence of pro prietors, have occupied as much of my time within the last twelve in repairing them, as at any former period in the same months space; and it is a matter of sore regret, when I cast my eyes towards Belvoir, which I often do, to reflect, the former inhabit ants of it, with whom we lived in such harmony and friendship, no longer reside there, and that the ruins can only be viewed as the memento

of

former

pleasures.

me

Permit

to

add,

that

I

have

wondered often, your nearest relations being in this country, that you should not prefer spending the evening of your life among them, rather ous

than as

your

you may

close

the

sublunary

acquaintances

have

may

scene be,

in a and

numer country, foreign as the sincere friendships

formed.

on the growth and state of some observations making as follows: his he closes letter country, "Knowing to give an account that Mrs. Washington is about of the in which the and in have changes, happened neighborhood

After the

MASSACHUSETTS

412 our own 5

them."

family,

I shall not

HISTORICAL trouble

SOCIETY

you with

[JAN.

a repetition

of

A draft of the letter which Mrs. Washington sent has been It is in George Washington's Mar preserved. handwriting. tha Washington did not destroy it when she destroyed all the to her. Why letters that her husband had written did he desire his wife to copy out and sign as her own a letter giving and family news which he might have incorpo neighborhood rated in his own long letter? And by what means did he prevail on her to perform what she could hardly have helped as an unnecessary and irksome task? regarding Speculation and surmise on such matters may be unprofitable, yet one is to indulge in them none the less. May the audacity disposed to reconstruct of an attempt the domestic We may that after spending imagine turned and addressed his desk Washington

scene be pardoned. an hour or two at his wife as follows:

I Patsy, I have been writing to our old friend Sally Fairfax. flatter myself that she will be interested in having an account of recent events in America, but I am sure she would be still more interested if you would send her the news about her old friends and neighbors. Mrs. Washington: I am quite sure she would not be at all inter ested in receiving a letter from me. G. W.: Truly, I conceive you are mistaken. She would be very a in from letter interested you. warmly M. W.: I don't know why you should think so. She and I had She was very intellectual, and you know very little in common. I'm

not.

And

she's

probably

more

intellectual

now

than

ever,

having lived in London all these years. G. W.: That would not prevent her from having the liveliest if it was interest in the news of the neighborhood ? especially transmitted to her by one for whom she has of course a warm regard. didn't I know she had a warm regard for you. Why M. W.: you put the neighborhood news into the letter that you have been writing? to a that are of a nature to appeal especially G. W.: Matters female can best be conveyed by the pen of a female. M. W.: Everyone knows that you write wonderful letters, George, I don't intend and you know that I can't write good letters. to have her comparing one of mine with one of yours and thinking how inferior I am. 5

Washington,

xni.

497-499

GEORGE WASHINGTON

1932]

AND SALLY FAIRFAX

413

G. W.: You are unjust to her, Patsy, and you underrate your own accomplishments. to her you will be showing a By writing for her and remoteness consideration loneliness from the kindly scenes and friends of her early life. Our individual messages of regard and remembrance will affect her more sensibly than a letter of my own unaccompanied by any evidence of your interest could do.

M. W.: If you insist, I know I shall be obliged to do it. But you will have to tell me just what you want me to say. You had better write it out for me and let me copy the letter. Then she won't

feel

so

superior

when

she

reads

it.

in copying However Martha Washington's the let docility ter is to be accounted for, there seems but one reasonable to Sally of Washington's desire to have her write explanation All the last years of his life were given to the effort to Fairfax. ? human and political. What more harmonize relationships to draw into some bond of natural than that he should wish the two women with whom his affections had been cordiality most closely knit? indeed think that the episode One might and attractive it him in a wholly mellow presents light were not for the phrase Al that casts a shadow on the picture. confession that the happiest moments though Washington's he had ever known had been those he had spent with Sarah one could wish that Fairfax may have been wholly truthful, he had life with another woman after forty years of married from making it. refrained to Sarah And how oddly a phrase from the early love-letter communication! in the elderly gentleman's Fairfax reappears " to of all things," was that never failing expositor Time, to his happiness with at renewing his correspondence testify " of her. later it is time, that faithful expositor Forty years acts of self-defence will all things," that will disclose whether lead to war. that could have caused Washington What were the motives to write to Sally to Martha Custis after he was betrothed over the situa love-letter? the egregious Fairfax Brooding a to marry tion in which he had placed himself, engaged woman who with all her attractions had not Sally's enchanting to hazard a charm for his mind and his heart, he was willing too. Yet he rash and outlawed step should Sally be willing

414

MASSACHUSETTS

HISTORICAL

SOCIETY

[JAN.

was

aware of all the penalties too sensitively his attached; to Fair conviction. And the lacked clear-eyed Sally urgings not tears, and pretended through fax, who laughed, perhaps her lover's meaning, to understand America should be grate would ful, for had she taken the other course Washington of his life with the woman have gone through the remainder no opportunity of public for a career he loved but with importance.

Mr. Winthrop presented " on The Winthrop munication LVin. 146-147: Proceedings

Mary Winthrop Livingston. The dates

certain corrections Gift and Deposit

of "

the com printed

in

(d 1713) was the wife of Colonel John

for John Winthrop,

F.R.S.,

should

be

1681

1747. Of

are only the list of portraits given there, the following in of the Lindall Win of Grenville copies originals possession Adam Gov. throp: Winthrop, 1498-1562; John Winthrop, Gov. Col. 1588-1649; 1606-1676; John Winthrop, Jr., Gov. Stephen Winthrop, 1618-1658; Fitz-John Winthrop, Chief Justice Wait Still Winthrop, 1643-1717; 1639-1707; Ann Dudley wife of Col. John Livingston; Mary Winthrop, John Winthrop, Winthrop; F.R.S., 1681-1747; John Still 1720-1776; Winthrop, Ninegret. The portrait of Mary Winthrop, wife of Gov. 1708-1767, is a copy of an original by Robert Feke, now Joseph Wanton, in the possession of the Redwood in Newport, Rhode Library Island. Mr. Norcross letters written

from his collection communicated copies of Clinton and Admiral Lord Howe. by General

K*sr,. Bison Co.Znc.Belmonl.

"y*a?t*J~#

fJ***r??
I932]

FRANCIS TIFFANY

FRANCIS TIFFANY

BOWLES 415

BOWLES

A MEMOIR

BY GARDNER WELD ALLEN a native CAMUEL of Connecticut, in founded BOWLES, ^ one the of New 1824 Springfield Republican, England's most famous newspapers. in 1851, his eldest On his death its editor and the second son, Benja son, Samuel, Jr., became min Franklin, business manager. Francis Tiffany Bowles was the son of Benjamin and F. Bowles Mary Elizabeth (Bailey) and was born in Springfield, October 7, 1858. His prelimi in the local schools and at the nary education was obtained inWashington, School Connecticut. Gunnery Just before he reached the age of seventeen, Francis received an appointment to the United States Naval Academy. Bowles' life career, the began when he entered therefore, as a cadet engineer, Naval Academy 15, 1875. September the four-year pursued course, he graduated Having June 10, Three months later he was ordered to the U. S. S. 1879. of the European Trenton, flagship station, and on board this two years, still a cadet engineer. This seems ship he remained to have been his only sea service while in the navy. He was now transferred from the Engineer Corps to the Construction on shore, his subsequent and, although Corps, performed was in the highest degree to the navy. service On important con November assistant naval 1, 1881, he was appointed structor with the relative rank of master. our navy was probably At the end of the Civil War the most most sea force in the and modern largest, powerful, reaction which world, but as a result of the inevitable followed, it was not many years before it had sunk to a place among the At the same time other countries were making weakest. great in building steel ships of the latest type. This state progress of things was deplored by naval officers, and in consequence of their lamentations in and out of Congress people began to realize that a new steel navy must be built. There were no

416

MASSACHUSETTS

HISTORICAL

SOCIETY

[JAN.

in the Construction to design modern Corps competent was of and it at to war, ships necessary, first, purchase plans in Europe. It was at his own request that Bowles was transferred to the same Construction and at the at also his time, Corps, request, he was sent with another young officer to England to study officers

naval architecture He there received his return Upon

in the Royal Naval at Greenwich. College the degree of Naval Architect in 1882. to the United States he was ordered, in to the Naval Advisory Board as recorder, with

1882, October, the relative rank of lieutenant The function (junior grade). of the Naval Advisory Board was to plan the building of the new navy. The Board voted unanimously that the ships then under consideration should have single screws. Commodore the asked his Bowles The president, Shufeldt, opinion. " am constructor I I cannot with sorry agree youthful replied: I believe the judgment of the Board. twin screws are better, and if I am given the time, I think I can demonstrate it." to equip the largest the Board decided his demonstration screws. with twin ship After about four years of this duty Bowles was sent to the at Norfolk, He was promoted, Yard Octo Virginia. Navy constructor with ber 10, 1888, to the grade of naval the was At the Norfolk he relative rank of lieutenant. long yard in superintending the construction of the battleship occupied In 1895, he abroad. Texas, her plans having been purchased was ordered to the New York Navy Yard and here he remained War. the Spanish-American By this time the new throughout was in the service, per well the officers advanced and navy After

had the satisfaction of seeing the constructors, haps especially war Bowles the before the new ships tested in combat. Just to at the was engaged in making the dock largest dry repairs was when the of for which battleships docking ready yard, In 1898, his relative rank was raised to com most needed. Act of the Personnel Under in 1899, to captain. were staff various the of corps given actual 1899, relative rank. rather than merely Bowles carried on the work of his department Constructor of his the respect and won enforced with vigor, discipline, In no interference. he subordinates Janu ; political permitted

mander

and

officers

FRANCIS TIFFANY

1932]

BOWLES 417

to that he was to be promoted ary, 1901, it became known soon leave he would that and of the Chief Constructor navy there had endeared His the New York long service yard. who had served under mechanics to workmen and him the a their respect testimonial drew up expressing him, and they towards their reveals him. The first for feeling paragraph him: of and Repair Department We, the employ?s of the Construction the New York Navy Yard, in convention assembled and by a per fect unanimity of thought and action, have formulated a token of our regard in this declaration of our sentiments, expressive of ap probation to our Chief, Francis T. Bowles, who having been called to a higher post of duty, will shortly leave us. In a letter document,

to Secretary Bowles says:

Long,

transmitting

a copy

of

this

to me the men of the Construction and Repair De Unknown a the last held week outside partment yard and apart from meeting the

foremen

who

were

not

invited.

They decided to present a set of resolutions and appointed a committee consisting of their own foremen to draft them. The I was method of presenting was considered and after the meeting " " with their coats on outside the asked if I would meet the men yard, and I agreed to do so after I was detached but not otherwise. the promotion went into effect, and On March 4,1901, at the age of forty-two, became Chief of the Bureau struction and Repair, with the rank of rear-admiral. to Secretary 6, 1901, ?Long, December Writing as his views on the subject follows Bowles expressed titles in the navy: and military

Bowles, of Con Admiral of rank

Replying to your note of the 4th instant, I am in entire agreement with you that the title of Rear Admiral is one that should only be applied to an officer who exercises military command, and it is much more fitting the head of the Construction Corps should have a title distinctly designating his office. It appears to me that this view of the matter of title applies with equal force, both in law and logic, to all Bureaus of the Navy no matter from what corps their Chiefs are assigned Department, com or originate, because no Chief of Bureau exercises military

MASSACHUSETTS

4l8 mand

and

staff

functions.

the duties . .

HISTORICAL

SOCIETY

are essentially

of all Bureaus

[JAN. and actually

.

No matter what his title, my experience from the Naval Academy thro' the various grades of the Construction Corps teaches me that the Chief of the Bureau of Construction must have rank with other officers, so the present question is merely one of whether or not it is best to use the title of Rear Admiral and does not admit of any doubt

as

to

the matter

of

rank.

.

.

.

cleared the ground by these remarks, I am personally Having not desirous of retaining the title of Rear Admiral, but I consider it my duty to see that the head of my corps, the responsible designer of naval vessels, shall lose nothing in way of honor and distinction by relinquishing that title and that no loss of naval rank is thereby involved.

The

of the navy during the years the growth following and armored War was notable. Many battleships were built, much more powerful than the older ves a was to make them larger and larger. tendency sels, and there for designing these ships and Bowles was responsible Admiral Spanish cruisers

in shaping the building his influence policy of the Navy De to was great. But he did not remain long enough partment see the completion of any ship laid down during his adminis in the interest His of Construction. tration of the Bureau as keen as ever it had been, but in view of navy continued to his family he felt that he his duty he considered what could not afford to decline the offer which came to him in 1903 as president of the Fore River of lucrative employment Ship from the navy He resigned at Quincy. building Corporation on October 31 of that year. Bowles Admiral stayed with the Fore River company about ? the ten years until plant was taken over by the Bethlehem in this time many Steel Company 1914. During ships for the were built as as vessels well commercial United States navy event of this period The most conspicuous at this yard. single ? ? was his and resourcefulness force of character showing for the from the Argentine the contract government obtaining in This was accomplished of two battleships. construction of England, with the shipbuilders strenuous competition Bowles made and Italy. trips to London Germany, France, won and his personality Aires on this business, and Buenos on his re at Quincy He was given an ovation the prize.

FRANCIS TIFFANY

193 2] turn.

One

River

yard;

of the ships, the contract

BOWLES 419

was the Rivadavia, for the other was

built at the Fore sublet to another

company.

close upon the admiral's followed The World War resigna of the Fore River company. He visited tion of the presidency the impression that Germany in 1915 and received Europe was to win the war. After the United States joined the Allies, of the Emergency he was made assistant general manager Schwab. He Fleet Corporation, serving under Charles M. of construction to develop and helped the division organized Island and other eastern shipbuilding yards. Hog life in Boston, returned to private but After the war Bowles a in interest and local. up public general lively affairs, kept a commissioner of the He was appointed by the governor School and gave close atten Nautical Massachusetts Training which had been turned tion to the cruises of the Nantucket, over by the Navy Department to the State for a training ship. He became a director of the Springfield Republican Company, the editorial with of the but avoided all interference policy in his native city and oc interested He was warmly paper. casionally made speeches there, as at a dinner given to Speaker of the H. Gillett and at the centennial Frederick anniversary Republican. the best years of his life to build he had devoted was one of the earliest advocates of the admiral ing warships, with in the connection Conference Washington disarmament, He sug limitation proposition. of 1921, and made a definite to should all nations that the agree scrap existing gested nor to thenceforth neither build and submarines, battleships than 15,000 tons displacement, maintain any ships of more Although

These and to limit the gun calibre to six inches. proposals in the Conference. influenced opinion and had weight doubtless he took charge of the Fore River When ship-yard, Admiral a resident of Boston, lived in Marlborough became Bowles For more Street Church. the Arlington Street, and attended and than thirty years his summer home was at Barnstable, there he took great interest in local affairs, and was a public of the of the best sort. He was chairman citizen spirited Barnstable dent

Town

of the Cape

and founder and presi Committee Finance of Commerce, and he worked Cod Chamber

42O

MASSACHUSETTS

HISTORICAL

SOCIETY

[JAN.

of Buzzards for the development Bay as a port and for the the Chamber of Cod the Canal. Through enlargement Cape the he hoped to bring about a plan under which of Commerce beaches of the Cape might be used by the public, abuses being at the same and policing; supervision by proper prevented He studied interests. of private time with adequate protection as as far he could the other culture and promoted cranberry the He was active in the fight against industries of the Cape. billboard nuisance. Bowles married Adelaide Francis Hay Tiffany Savage, en 1886. Their November Thomas son, 17, Savage Bowles, of with the Class and tered Harvard mid died 1912 College course while in Europe. in his college Their way traveling Bowles, married Alfred Putnam three children. Admiral Bowles a after illness. His 3, 1927, August long Church. took place there at the Unitarian of the Institution of Naval admiral was a member

Catherine daughter, of Boston, Lowell, died at Barnstable, funeral The

Hayward and has

of London, and of the Society of Naval Architects Architects, of New York; of the latter he was for and Marine Engineers, a time president. He was a member of the American Academy of Massachu of the Colonial of Arts and Sciences; Society He was and of the American Society. Antiquarian setts; of this Society on October elected a Resident Member 8, 1925. an of the Society, he contributed At the April, 1927, meeting " on to Grasse." Debt America's able paper years Many had given to the Society a valu in 1919, Mrs. Bowles before, books the commercial of manuscripts, able collection including and of Savage and Company, and correspondence Savage Son, and Savage and Lewis, of Louisville. that no and it is believed Bowles was not a prolific writer, a good many scientific and He wrote book by him exists. the United States Naval for however, articles, professional and very Institute Proceedings likely for other periodicals. " " on one Our New Cruisers be mentioned them may Among " " on of one Vessels Naval New and Designs (1902). (1883) in 1916. He read an address on Preparedness He published on "The the Colonial before an important Society paper " in Revolution the of Barnstable 1923). (December, Loyalty to this Society, In the John Davis Long Collection, belonging

FRANCIS TIFFANY

1932]

BOWLES 421

of technical letters of Constructor be found a number to Secretary from York Navy the New Bowles Yard Long, two of the also letters before 1901, Spanish War; personal just extracts from which are quoted above. A personal for a Bowles well friend, who knew Admiral

will

this estimate of the years, has kindly contributed had an ardent and somewhat nature, impetuous held guided and guarded by sound principles conservatively He was never lukewarm and by a keen and logical intellect. in anything; he always knew just what he thought and just

great many " man: He

where

he stood,

and he had

a positive

genius

for friendship."