•d- • "^, VAQ^ ^'?' "oy ^OV^ ;:^^'- '"-^^6^' f^'^K" '*b^^ ■'m^^\ ^^^rS / V^:^*- / *>^ ,•.*'% °.^'" /% --^r/ >*'^^- °^'''' *'°- d3^ 7 STEPHEN BLEECKER LUCE REAR ADMIRAL UNITED STATES NAVY BORN 1827 DIED 1917 A TRIBUTE BY CASPAR F, GOODRICH REAR ADMIRAL UNITED STATES NAVY PUBLISHED BY THE NAVAL HISTORY SOCIETY NEW YORK CITY 1919 ; DA Stepben 3, %ncc Above the fireplace in my study hang the photographs of a number of old friends, many of whom, alas, have already crossed the Great Divide. Not a few of them were, in their day, eminent figures in history. From his place in this little gallery of distinguished men, there looks down on me, as I write, an officer who has lately passed from our midst, full of years and honors after a lifetime unreservedly devoted to the service of his country ; to the upholding of the Navy's best traditions, himself their completest embodiment ; to the training of its youth ; and to that developement of the intellectual side of his profession through which the Navy acquired the broad vision and the skilled personnel that have rendered it so valuable during this War of the German Aggression, enabling it to act without friction to the achievement of decisive and carefully thought out strategic ends. It is as impossible to exaggerate the Navy's indebtedness to* the late Rear Admiral Stephen Bleecker Luce as it is to do justice to his work in a brief monograph. The utmost in the power of the writer is to touch here and there upon such points of an exceptional career as he is familiar with and to endeavor to depict the man himself as he appeared to one who loved and admired him. To disarm criticism it must be freely admitted that I write from the standpoint of warm affection and deepest professional veneration. I could not, if I would, be other than prejudiced in my judgments. In the appendix the principal events in Luce's life are given for the benefit of those who desire statistics rather than eulogy. It is a strange commentary upon the course of recent history to recall the fact that Stephen B. Luce was a midshipman on the first expedition to Japan — that country which for centuries had been closed to the outside world and that this expedition, composed of the United States vessels of war Coluinhns and Vincennes, starting under the command of Commodore Nicholas Biddle in 1845, was refused admittance to that country and it was not until ten years later that the foot of a foreigner mxade an impress on the shore of Japan, when the second expedition under command of Commodore Perry was permitted to land. Luce, at this time, was the type of a gallant young naval officer as shown in an old daguerreo- type of the date, and he kept this grace of figure and facial charm into his grand old age. ^^ Trana-er . : .AN 14 1920 In fact, much as he was when Bunce painted his portrait for the Naval War College a dozen years ago, was Luce when he came to the Naval Academy at Newport, R. I., in 1862. The two score and odd years inter- vening between that time and his death in 1917 made but slight change in his lithe figure, his jaunty carriage, his inescapable air of alertness, mental and physical. A finely shaped head, flashing blue eyes, an aquiline nose, moustache and side whiskers a I'Anglaise — make up this hastily and roughly drawn pen portrait ; but who shall describe the unmistakable air of the born conunander of men or what record ean replace the memor}' of that high pitched tenor voice, clear as a bell and far carrying, at whose call "Ready About ! Stations for Stays !" we young midshipmen, on our practice cruises, jumped to the ropes and awaited "Rise Tacks and Sheets!" then "Mainsail Haul!" etc., as the good ship Marion tacked in a working breeze within Narragansett Bay or off Point Judith ? Lucky were we to get our first lessons in seamanship under such a master, for Luce, so far as my experience goes, as a seaman had never a superior and but one possible rival — Alexander A. Semmes, who in 1869 took the sloop of war Portsmouth, with stun'-sails set both sides, into Rio Harbor, and made, in the eyes of the assembled fleets of six nations, a flying moor which is talked of to this day. Luce could have done this I am sure, but I was with Semmes when he actually did it. There was no nonsense about Luce's teaching. It was all practical and to the point. Out of it grew "Luce's Seamanship," a standard work for decades in the Navy and the merchant marine, where it was commonly called "The Sailor's Bible." Gradually, as steam displaced the winds of heaven as the propelling force for ships, this volume began to assume the aspect of a treatise on a lost art, but the fundamental principles of ship handling and of what to do in cases of emergency remain dominant today just as he clarified and expressed them, so that later American books on Seamanship are merely the development of those principles in accordance with the changing conditions of nautical life. It was of Luce's methods not to confine his instruction to mere routine where all goes well and as a matter of course, but to simulate the unusual or even the accidental. To this must be ascribed the Saturday afternoons spent by my colleagues and myself, not as precious holidays in town am.ong our friends, but in carrying out anchors and heaving the Marion ofif the shoal upon which Luce had designedly grounded her. We grumbled heartily then, but I fancy there is not one of us who has not had occasion, in later years, to thank Luce for demonstrating practically how to get his ship out of a serious difficulty. As his record shows. Luce was later identified with the apprentice system in which boys were trained to become seamen. To this especial dutv he devoted four years of his life. That he further impressed upon tlie lads under his charge high ideals of manliness, obedience and patriot- ism is well known to those cognizant of his labors, nor can it be ques- tioned by any one who knew him. The dignity of the commanding officer and the authority granted him by law were in Luce's eyes things to be defended at all costs no n-iatter from what quarter came the attack. With him this view was not merely academic, rather was it a living force. Thus, when taking com- mand of the Hartford in 1875, he was confronted by an order from the Bureau of Equipment and Recruiting, under which came the affairs of the enlisted men, requiring commanding officers to submit for its previous approval their proposed ratings of petty officers. Luce blandly ignored this order that had no justification in the statute which distinctly made such an act part of the captain's duty and responsibility. He rated the men involved as he deemed best and reported the fait accompli to the Bureau as done under the law; confronted with which the Bureau was helpless to insist upon its own policy. Luce was not lacking in courage either physical or moral, as this bold move abvmdantly proves, for a Bureau in the Navy Department was and still is so extremely powerful as not to be lightly challenged. Luce's interest in his profession was not confined to tacks and sheets, halliards and downhauls. It rose to a far higher plane and embraced all which science, art and history could contribute to a seaman's value. Paraphrasing the old Latin dictum. "Nothing nautical was foreign to him." He was one of the founders of our service forum, "The Naval Institute," to whose proceedings he contributed the initial paper, as well as many others on "Ancient Naval Warfare," "Fleets of the World," "Naval Administration," "Naval Warfare as a Science," etc., etc., all marked by comprehensive knowledge of his subject and clarity of expression. He had, in conversation at least, long urged the establishment of an institution where the broad questions of strategy, tactics, naval history and international law might be dealt with, chiefly by officers of command rank. As he phrased it, "We have schools for everything in our profession except the one thing for which a Navy exists — Naval Warfare. It is time we founded such a school." The earliest printed argument of which I have knowledge occurs in a paper entitled "War Schools," read before the Newport Branch of the Naval Institute, April 4, 1883, in which he says: "It is the part of the naval student to prepare himself by study and reflection for those higher duties of his profession ; and the only way to do that is to study the science of war . . . and then to apply the principles to the military operations conducted at sea. He should be led into a philosophic study of naval history, that he may be enabled to exam- ine the great naval battles of the world with the cold eye of professional criticism, and to recognize where the principles of the science have been illustrated, or where a disregard for the accepted rules of the art of war has led to defeat and disaster. Such studies might well occupy the very best thoughts of the naval officer, for they belong to the very highest branch of his profession." His persistent advocacy of a Naval War College converted the late Rear Admiral John G. Walker, U. S. N., then chief of the Bureau of Navigation, to acceptance and loyal support of Luce's idea. A Board was appointed to consider the scheme and to map out a plan for its organization and conduct. Luce was the senior member; Sampson was associated with him and I brought up the rear as junior and working member. Our report was adopted and the Naval War College, with Luce as its President, — the first of its kind in any country of the world — was created. With the opposition it encountered and with its precarious early existence, this tribute to Luce's memory has no concern. The infant survived despite of all, grew into sturdy manhood, great influence and unsurpassed usefulness, justifying all which Luce predicted of it and remaining to this day, as for all time, a noble and enduring monument to his memory. It was but natural that Luce should, later, identify himself with the movement which led to the forming of the Naval History Society and to which he lent the ripe fruits of his experience and wisdom. Of our Society he was one of the incorporators. His name gave additional prestige to the project of the late Captain John S. Barnes and his associates. The Society recognizes its indebtedness to Luce's sympathy and services and mourns the loss of a member whose wide acquaintance with things nautical and profound knowledge of naval history, can only with the greatest difficulty ever be replaced, if at all. Happy the country which can produce even one Luce in a generation. Caspar F. Goodrich. SUMMARY OF NAVAL RECORD of STEPHEN B. LUCE. U.S.N. Stephen B. Luce was born in New York, March 25, 1827, and served in the United States Navy as follows: Appointed Midshipman from the State of New York. To Receiving Ship at New York. To the Congress. Warranted. Detached and leave three months. To the Columbus. Went on the first Expedition to Japan under Commodore Nicho- las Biddle. Detached from Columbus and to School, 20th instant. Delay reporting at School till 1st of April. Detached leave till 10th October and then return. Detached and to the Vandalia. Warranted as Passed Midshipman from 10th of August, 1847. (No. 126.) Detached and three months' leave. To duty connected with Lieutenant Gillis, Astronomical Expe- dition. Detached and to the Vixen. Detached and leave three months. To Coast Survey schooner Madison. Appointed Acting Master Survey schooner Madison. Transferred to Lieutenant Moffitt's party as Acting Master Tender. Warranted as Master from 15th September, 1855. Promoted to Lieutenant. Detached and three months leave. To the Naval Academy. Detached and to the Wabash. Re-commissioned from 15th September, 1855, to rank next after Lieutenant Thomas C. Harris. Detached from Wabash (went to Naval Academy). Promoted to Lieutenant Commander. Commissioned from 16th July, 1862. Be ready for sea service. Detached from Academy and to command the Nantucket. Detached from the Pontiac and wait orders. (No record of reporting on this vessel.) To the Naval Academy. Commandant of Midshipmen. Promoted to Commander. Commissioned. Detached from the Naval Academy, 30th September, and to com- mand the Mohongo per str. 16th October. (Took command 10th November, 1868.) Detached, return and report. Detached 26th ultimo and wait orders from 7th instant. To command the Juniata, 1st July. 1841 Oct. 19 1841 Nov. 4 1842 Apr. 2 1843 May 3 1845 Mar. 14 1845 May 26 1845 1848 Mar. 6 184S Mar. 24 1848 June 22 1849 Aug. 20 1849 Sept. 29 1852 Oct. 12 1852 Dec. 31 1853 May 9 1854 Feb. 4 1854 May 18 1854 June 8 1855 June 19 1855 Nov. 9 1855 Sept. 16 1860 Feb. U 1860 Mar. 2 1861 May 2 1862 Mar. 14 1862 June 9 1862 Aug. 5 1863 Apr. 18 1863 Sept. 24 1863 Oct. 13 1865 June 9 1865 Sept. 22 1865 Oct. 6 1866 July 25 1866 Aug. 7 1868 Aug. 29 1869 Apr. 1 1869 June 10 1869 June 18 Detached and wait orders. To equipment duty, Navy Yard, Boston, 14th September. To examination. Promoted to Captain. Member of Board of Examiners, Naval Academy. Commissioned. Detached as Member of Board and resume duties at Boston Yard. Be ready to command the Minnesota. Detached and to command the Minnesota, 22nd instant. Detached and resume duties at Boston Yard. Captain of Navy Yard, Boston. Detached 15th October, and wait orders. To command the Hartford, 1st November. Detached 21st instant, and leave one month. To special duty inspecting training ships. Inspect Supply and then wait orders. To temporary duty in connection with Training Ships. Detached 31st instant and to command the Training Ship Minne- sota 1st January. Detached 15th February and wait orders. Take command of all the apprentice ships to be assembled at Washington 25th instant. To physical examination. To examination. Promoted to Commodore. Commissioned. Detached 30th instant. Detached from special duty 26th instant, and to command North Atlantic Station 27th instant. Detached 25th instant and take command on the 26th instant. Appointed Acting Rear Admiral. Detached 20th instant and assume duties of Superintendent of Naval War College at Coasters Harbor Island, R. I. To examination. Promoted to Rear Admiral. Commissioned. Detached and to command the North Atlantic Station. Detached upon receipt of this order, return home and wait orders. (Relieved 16th February, 1899.) Will be transferred to the Retired List on the 25th instant. Leave one year, with permission to leave the United States. Appointed member of Board of Visitors, Naval Academy. Member Board on Awards. Office Assistant Secretary, 18th instant. Leave from March 16th to May 15th, or abroad. To Office Secretary, May 8th, Washington. Detached November 20th, home and report. (Home 20th No- vember.) 1917 July 23 Died at Newport, R. I., July 28th, 1917, of arteric sclerosis myo- carditis and buried at Portsmouth R. I. 1872 July 1 1872 Aug. 16 1872 Dec. 10 1872 Dec. 28 1873 Apr. 1 1873 May IS 1873 Nov. 19 1873 Nov. 29 1873 Dec. 12 1873 Dec. 22 1874 Sept. 29 1875 Sept. 4 1875 Oct. 27 1877 Aug. 10 1877 Aug. 25 1877 Sept. 17 1877 Sept. 24 1877 Dec. 1 1881 Jan. 28 1881 Apr. 11 1881 Nov. 17 1881 Nov. 17 1881 Nov. 25 1882 Jan. 14 1884 June 21 1884 July 16 1884 July 22 1884 July 23 1884 Sept. 14 1885 Sept. 28 1885 Oct. 5 1886 Jan. 30 1886 June 18 1889 Jan. 28 1889 Mar. 20 1893 May 27 1901 Jan. 3 1901 Feb. 14 1901 Mar. 7 1901 May 6 1910 Nov. 15 ri ly 89 ^-...^■^ V^ • • * -A^ ... ^ c5°* *'...* ^0 >♦ '^^ . * * A ^^.-jv^ cv^^^^i]:^^^ ■'''^^^^' y^^^-. ^^s ^<^m[^ '^^^<< . e\^ '^Qi <> *'7VV* ,( '^0^ '■^ 'jsm^.^ /\ '''^^♦* **'\ \W'* /\ "'■ •-X .o°*.'i-^'>. ..**/a^ ,/ P:; ..0. ,. ^^•n^, ■ •^- :. *^ ^•^ .oOJlL'-r.